Yep Blease is a really handy VFL'er

when he can replicate at the next level your sarcasm might hold more sway

Not overly fussed what grade it was, I responded to a poster who said blease wasnt in the highest possession winners. That wasnt sarcasm, sarcasm is the lowest form of humour. I just said it how it is to a repeat offender.

Yep Blease is a really handy VFL'er

when he can replicate at the next level your sarcasm might hold more sway

He wasn't saying that at all. He was responding to olisik who said Blease didn't have a high disposal count, which he did.

On that disposal count - it's clear the club doesn't hold that in high regard at the minute anyway after many of them got heaps of the pill a fortnight ago and got blasted for it by Brett Allison (and rightly so). Hopefully we get a better report from him this week on a variety of players.

Does anyone see a future for McKenzie?

They're trying to get Jordie to work on his offensive game. There was an article earlier in the year where they talked about him improving his ability to hurt the opposition, not just negate an opponent. He's now showing that he has the ability to win a lot of ball in the middle, but there is still a question over whether he can use it well when he gets it. If he can get that aspect of his game sorted then he will be in the team for a long time. Right now Cross is playing the negating role in the side. If Jordie can get his disposal to that level he'll do fine.

Other than 1 goal no mention of Tapscott.

I keep hoping for a miracle but with the possible games for 2014 down to close to single figures it is looking grim.

I think he is in more trouble than the early explorers.

no mention of toumpas either. did he play?

no mention of toumpas either. did he play?

Good question, is he the late in again?

edit: Nup, just looked back. 'Jack' had him as lining up so must have been quiet.

Edited June 7, 201411 yr by rjay

VFL: Qtr time: @CaseyScorpions 2-1-13 trail Collingwood 2-2-14. McKenzie, Riley, Toumpas all playing for the scorps today.

Tweeted.

sounds like all three emergencies (Toumpas, Riley and McKenzie) are playing.... surely we would keep one fresh in case of late injury/illness?

Interesting to hear later that Jordie was subbed off at half time. Surely with the AFL game in 48h, and in the event of a late change the last man in would as likely as not be the sub, do they really need the extra rest? Genuine question to any who really know about recovery and conditioning..

Yep Blease is a really handy VFL'er

when he can replicate at the next level your sarcasm might hold more sway

surely even you can see the difference in his numbers? He has definitely improved his game and if he finds consistent form, he will be given a go in the seniors...

Not all the players sent to Casey are on their way out the door, some are there to work on things that will improve their game... We cant afford to have players drop in and out of matches... Sam has had to redevelop his game, build his endurance and then play his role on the field... His skill set is game breaking and easily of AFL quality, but you know this... If he can use that skill set defensively, he will be a very dominate player for us...

Sometimes it can take a very long time, for players to learn the game at senior level... But some players can turn things around... Dunn and Pedo are great examples of this... Three years ago most here would have sold Dunn for a packet of chips... Jeez... I'm glad the club didn't see him that way...

With the way this group has been coached and the way this club has been run in the past 6/7 years... Its really no surprise that our players are behind in their development... Our club took its eye off the ball, when we where heart beats away from extinction... We where all sold a desperate dream, so that we could fund the clubs survival... They built up our hopes off the back of high end draft picks and in the process they club destroyed some AFL careers... Was this the plan all along? who knows... They did manage to restore our clubs future... But the cost cutting and cheap player development plans, have cost us on field...

Edited June 7, 201411 yr by tatu

be curious to see whether blease is next cab off the rank in a couple of weeks.

i thought toumpas was okay in his cameo in the alice, some awful lack of defensive efforts notwithstanding.

it's very disheartening that he's not showing anything like what i expected from him.

and the lack of anything at all from tapscott is very disappointing.

Edited June 7, 201411 yr by DemonAndrew

I think it's fair to say Tapscott will be sacked at the end of the year. Keeps getting injured at the wrong time.

My housemate is playing in this game (plays for Collingwood), i'll try and get some inside on-field and behind door goss about the Dee's boys playing when he gets home.

Wasn't too much to get out of him. Last year when the pies played against Hogan he said how much of a brute the kid is, massive presence on the ground.

He is mates with one of the MFC listed players, and they told him after the game that the club has said if Hogan has any slight complications at all in trying to return they will just can it, leave it for next year and start getting him ready for Round 1 2015.

Probably not really news of any sort, as it is just common sense really, but there ya go.

Tapscott and Blease.mmmmmmmmmm good to see there is no more free games at the demons.

The ressies are for development and its about time we had a senior team thats hard to break into.

Interesting SONG,what you say about hogan,i agree entirely with this course of action and think PRs policy would be not to play him until fit,2015 will come around quick enough.

be curious to see whether blease is next cab off the rank in a couple of weeks.

i thought toumpas was okay in his cameo in the alice, some awful lack of defensive efforts notwithstanding.

it's very disheartening that he's not showing anything like what i expected from him.

and the lack of anything at all from tapscott is very disappointing.

I expect Kent is much further up the rank than Blease.

Edited June 8, 201411 yr by big_red_fire_engine

I went down to Casey yesterday only to be greeted with a huge storm at the start of of play which made the rest of the afternoon a real slog. There was surface water everywhere and of course the ball was like soap. It made for an ugly spectacle with large packs forming at every contest. Plenty of ball ups.

It was interesting to see how the Melbourne players responded/reacted to these conditions. Most of them stuck generally to their role and their defensive work was OK. That said, their offence was strangled by a Collingwood outfit that manned up very well and did not allow the Melb players to find space.

A few player observations:

Sam Blease - I would not think Roos has put a cross through his name yet. I thought he played his role quite well. His second half was excellent as he tried to take the game on with his pace and broke clear on a number of occasions from half back. His fitness level has improved and ran the game out quite strongly.

Dean Kent - Was a focal point up forward and was strong at the ball. Switched roles a number of times and gathered contested possessions down back. In the top 3 best in my view.

Luke Tapscott - He was one of the reasons I went to the game. I thought these conditions would suit his game but then I thought what is his game? He was a little disappointing. Yes he contested well enough and was at the bottom of packs a number of times but so were a dozen others. Dropped a simple mark in front when Casey was surging. He doesn't do anything special that you can justify him being on the list. It could be a confidence thing as he has had a long list of injuries but sadly I do not see any strings to his bow except maybe his strength at the contest. I hope I'm wrong.

Aiden Riley - As you can expect these conditions suited him. He was tough at the contest and tackled with a lot of vigour. As we know, he's a real hard nut. As can be expected he tired a bit in the second half. I don't think he will be pushing for selection in the next couple of weeks, not because of form but I think Jordie is ahead of him at this moment. Will be interesting to see whether he can develop his breakaway skills further as his fitness improves.

Jimmy Toumpas - As you can imagine conditions did not suit him but he still contested well and his defensive work was good. I assume the coaches would have looked closely at this aspect of his game as it was not a day to exhibit his offensive skills. That said, he did provide link ups on a number of occasions.

Quickly the others

Dom Barry - Improved as the game went on and was impressed with his tackling. Read the game quite well considering the conditions.

Fitzy - Played his heart out in the ruck all day but was overshadowed by Hudson who did some good work around the ground. I only saw Jack take one chest mark.

James Harmes - Like Barry, improved as the game went on. Played both ends of the ground. A work in progress.

Dan Nicholson - As usual solid in defence. The conditions made his kicking look good. The umpire even penalised him for deliberately kicking the ball out on the full. He didn't realise that Nicko just shanked it again. He's been consistent and will get his chance if there is an injury.

James Strauss - Maybe I missed some of his play but I certainly would not have him in our best. He was steady and I guess played his role but there is nothing special about him.

Viv Michie - I liked his game. A slow start but was very active in the second half and was a key player in that third quarter when Casey took control for a short time. He is a good size and its not easy to knock him off the ball. I can see him being a regular for Melb next year.

Alex Georgiou - Has lost his way. His confidence seems low and has no energy out there. The criticism did not seem to have worked.

Michael Evans - Just a game. His inside work was OK and broke free a few times. Conditions didn't suit.

Jordie McKenzie - Really good game. Only played a half but was at the bottom of every contest and tackled like the Jordie we know. BOG in the first half next to Kennedy of Collingwood. Will not be a weak link if he gets called up this Monday.

These are just my observations from the grandstand. Obviously Allison and Co will be looking at players from all different perspectives.

Edited June 8, 201411 yr by djr

Thanks for the insight. Are you sure Jayden Hunt played? I thought he was injured.

I think djr might mean James Harmes, not Jayden Hunt.

I think djr might mean James Harmes, not Jayden Hunt.

I'm sorry. Yes it was.

These are just my observations from the grandstand. Obviously Allison and Co will be looking at players from all different perspectives.

Thanks djr, much appreciated.

Re Georgiou

Is there any chance that there are any residual effects of his concussion ?

He appeared to have done pretty well at AFL level - nothing flash but performed his role and did what was asked of him - considering his skill base, but ever since he appears to have lost his way.

MFC player stats from the game:

Dom Barry 2 goals 13 disposals 8 kicks 5 handballs 2 marks 3 tackles 54 Dream Team Points

Sam Blease 26 disposals 19 kicks 7 handballs 1 marks 3 tackles 86 Dream Team Points

Michael Evans 16 disposals 12 kicks 4 handballs 8 tackles 67 Dream Team Points

Jack Fitzpatrick 1 behind 10 disposals 6 kicks 4 handballs 1 mark 1 tackle 40 hit outs 71 Dream Team Points

Alexis Georgiou 6 disposals 6 kicks 2 marks 3 tackles 35 Dream Team Points

James Harmes 13 disposals 5 kicks 8 handballs 1 mark 3 tackles 33 Dream Team Points

Dean Kent 3 goals 21 disposals 17 kicks 4 handballs 5 marks 3 tackles 1 hit out 103 Dream Team Points

Jordie McKenzie 22 disposals 9 kicks 13 handballs 12 tackles 94 Dream Team Points

Viv Michie 1 goal 1 behind 19 disposals 16 kicks 3 handballs 2 marks 5 tackles 87 Dream Team Points

Dan Nicholson 14 disposals 10 kicks 4 handballs 4 marks 6 tackles 46 Dream Team Points

Aidan Riley 18 disposals 5 kicks 13 handballs 12 tackles 77 Dream Team Points

James Strauss 1 behind 14 disposals 9 kicks 5 handballs 6 tackles 63 Dream Team Points

Luke Tapscott 1 goal 12 disposals 9 kicks 3 handballs 2 marks 9 tackles 74 Dream Team Points

Jimmy Toumpas 12 disposals 8 kicks 4 handballs 1 mark 4 tackles 45 Dream Team Points

Was Georgiou playing as a key defender? That would account for a lot of the difference. He's not really big enough or quick enough for that role but with Davis out it might have been dropped on him.

Kent, Michie and Jordie definitely deserve a call up in the next few rounds if they can keep their form consistent. Kent is great on CHF but Michie needs to work on his tank if he's going to be part of the midfield.

A PIE IN THE FACE FOR CASEY by Whispering Jack

The pattern of squandering a handy lead before capitulating continued for the Casey Scorpions when they went down to Collingwood by six points in difficult conditions at Casey Fields on Saturday.

Heavy rain met the teams at the start which caused a scrappy affair. The teams went goal for goal throughout most of the first half with a late goal to Dean Kent, his second for the game, giving the home side a 5 point lead at the main break. At that stage, Casey was leading in most of the key performance indicators with Jordie McKenzie picking up a swag of possessions out of the middle.

After an early third quarter goal gave Collingwood back the lead, the Scorpions took full control of the game and when Kent kicked his third at the 16 minute mark, they held a 17 point lead. It was at this stage that the now familiar pattern took hold. There was a sudden drop in Casey's momentum and it was all Collingwood and they finally hit the lead at the 30 minute mark. A free kick to Pat Rosier on the siren gave Casey the lead at the final break.

The Scorpions have had a three week break with a bye followed by the VFL representative game and despite Rohan Welsh's call to arms, they gave away two goals in quick succession early in the fourth. Despite an arm wrestle which saw them wrest the lead back with a Tim Smith goal from a difficult angle, the latter part of the quarter was played almost entirely in Collingwood's forward half and the Magpies broke through to lead by the 18 minute mark and held on without much trouble.

The lack of urgency at the end when the game was in the balance was like a slap in the face to those who work hard at the club and to the hardy supporters who brave the elements to follow the team.

Casey's cause was not helped when the prolific Jordie McKenzie was taken from the field after half time, presumably as he is needed for emergency duties at Melbourne. While many of them are young, there were too many AFL listed players not putting in for the full four quarters and the VFL contingent were weakened by the absence of Troy Davis, Mitch Gent, Nathan Page and Will Petropoulos leaving very few seasoned players or leaders to help skipper Evan Panozza. The club introduced two first gamers and several others have only played a handful of games. Debutant Matt Rennie kicked two goals.

On a tough day for marking forwards, Casey really had very little up there and relied heavily on a solid performance from Kent. Aidan Riley and James Strauss were solid at times while Sam Blease gave good run out of defence.

The defeat has left Casey at 3-5 and well off the pace in the race for the finals, facing a difficult trek to Eureka Stadium North Ballarat next Saturday.

2014 Peter Jackson VFL

Casey Scorpions 2.1.13 4.3.27 9.5.59 11.7.73

Collingwood 2.2.14 3.4.22 8.8.56 11.13.79

Goals

Casey Scorpions Kent 3 Barry Rennie 2 Michie Rosier Smith Tapscott

Collingwood Allan Reid Martin Suckling 2 Armstrong Ferguson Mooney

Casey Scorpions Kent McKenzie Riley Strauss Smith Blease

Collingwood Suckling Kennedy Williams Hellier Hudson Marsh

Statistics

Dom Barry 2 goals 13 disposals 8 kicks 5 handballs 2 marks 3 tackles 54 Dream Team Points

Sam Blease 26 disposals 19 kicks 7 handballs 1 marks 3 tackles 86 Dream Team Points

Michael Evans 16 disposals 12 kicks 4 handballs 8 tackles 67 Dream Team Points

Jack Fitzpatrick 1 behind 10 disposals 6 kicks 4 handballs 1 mark 1 tackle 40 hit outs 71 Dream Team Points

Alexis Georgiou 6 disposals 6 kicks 2 marks 3 tackles 35 Dream Team Points

James Harmes 13 disposals 5 kicks 8 handballs 1 mark 3 tackles 33 Dream Team Points

Dean Kent 3 goals 21 disposals 17 kicks 4 handballs 5 marks 3 tackles 1 hit out 103 Dream Team Points

Jordie McKenzie 22 disposals 9 kicks 13 handballs 12 tackles 94 Dream Team Points

Viv Michie 1 goal 1 behind 19 disposals 16 kicks 3 handballs 2 marks 5 tackles 87 Dream Team Points

Dan Nicholson 14 disposals 10 kicks 4 handballs 4 marks 6 tackles 46 Dream Team Points

Aidan Riley 18 disposals 5 kicks 13 handballs 12 tackles 77 Dream Team Points

James Strauss 1 behind 14 disposals 9 kicks 5 handballs 6 tackles 63 Dream Team Points

Luke Tapscott 1 goal 12 disposals 9 kicks 3 handballs 2 marks 9 tackles 74 Dream Team Points

Jimmy Toumpas 12 disposals 8 kicks 4 handballs 1 mark 4 tackles 45 Dream Team Points

The Development Team was thrashed by the Box Hill Hawks.

2014 AFL Victoria Development League

Casey Scorpions 1.1.7 3.3.21 4.4.28 7.4.46

Box Hill Hawks 8.5.53 12.10.82 18.12.120 22.16.148

Goals

Casey Scorpions Del Papa 2 Wyatt 2 Corry Murray Shiels

Box Hill Hawks Gordon 9 McEvoy 4 Tatupu 2 Cassidy Exon Franetic Northe O'Donnell Thompson Wood

Best

Casey Scorpions Paredes Shiels Corry Drew Welsh Wyatt

Box Hill Hawks Gordon Wood Tobin Thompson O'Donnell Tatupu

Jordie's 12 tackles in a half makes a statement. We had 41 last week v PA albeit significantly different conditions.

Next best was Riley with 12 in a full game.