Casey Scorpions v Collingwood VFL

[Whispering_Jack 28,089]

Sorry, I got lost for a while.

Yes - Casey won well in the end.

Casey Scorpions 3.5.23 5.6.36 11.10.76 15.11.101

Collingwood VFL 2.1.13 6.4.40 10.6.66 10.9.69

Bernie was fantastic. Jordie McKenzie and Jake Spencer were very good and Billy Stretch showed some great poise and will be a player.

[chook fowler 18,374]

Great to see some competition for ruck spots. Spencil has had 2 good games in a row

[Webber 10,180]

Saw the last half before our 26 point first round victory against the Suns (just wanted to type that), and agree on Billy Stretch WJ. He is a natural footballer, a cut above.

[Wunders 392]

Watched the vfl game and afl game and I saw Bernie get a bit of it but really didn't feel that it was that good a game. I felt that no afl listed players for us stood out. Was expecting more (felt the vfl game was like our afl games from the last few years - expecting more and not getting it).

But I think toumpas for someone (most likely Bernie) is a likely scenario.

Also watching Fitzpatrick as a defender this week was a disapointment. He was out positioned about every 4/5 marking contests against his collingwood opponent. I saw him take one good strong mark for the day. Saw him give up several goals though (so again from reading these posts I thought he would be a great defende on today's form looked poor/sleep and Disinterested).

Anyway really happy after today! Go dees

[demoniac 1,243]

Shame the Pies can't afford a scoreboard!

Saw the second half.

Spencil has become a coordinated athlete.

Billy Stretch has good footy instincts,

[SaberFang 7,141]

Billy Stretch just needs a year in the Casey oven and another pre-season under his belt.

After that, I can see him slotting straight into the ones and staying there.

[monoccular 16,380]

So, please only answer if you saw both games

Is Vincw ready?

Replace whom?

Any other obvious promotions?

(I would say Dawes needs to earn a recall)

[DeeSpencer 23,417]

Saw the second half. Casey had patches of solid play to kick away for the win but also messed a bit up.

Bigs:

Spencer - won the ruck against a VFL listed pie and 210+ cm American. Linked up pretty well around the ground, Kicked a goal

Gawn - mostly forward, took 3 solid marks forward against young defenders

Pedersen - underwhelming, seemed out of the game at CHF. Wouldn't mind swapping him and Fritzel

Fritzel - looks like he just finished the overnight shift at KFC. A haircut and some weights wouldn't kill him. Took a couple of solid marks in defense, 1 poor kick but solid

Oscar - Looks lively at CHB, probably just needs to react and get in position faster when the game breaks open. A couple of nice spoils

Max King - think he was only used sparingly. A nice mark and a nice running goal in the 3rd quarter. Intensity isn't there but the footskills are lovely

Smalls:

Vince - what I saw was enough to show some class, got crunched in the packs a bit as he does

McKenzie - bull in a china shop in close, really physical, but often flat footed with the ball around the ground

Riley - bull 2. A little more outside run and work

Harmes - hard to pick out much but was involved

Stretch - the class. Reads the play to break for an inside mid to distribute to and gets the ball out and running going forward. Gets involved in space as well. Very solid

Michie - wearing Eddie Betts massive shorts. Was at half back a bit and wins contests, my big concern is not what he does but the way he seemingly doesn't run. Looks heavy

Grimes - some nice link up play and run but didn't jump out completely. Went

Mitch White - didn't see too much of him

Bail - didn't notice much either way

Terlich - 2 of the worst defensive efforts 1 on 1 defending a small forward with a kick coming in you'll ever see. No body contact, miss timed spoils. Just dreadful. Bit of run and hopefully is very rusty first up but forget about any kicking issues the

From what I saw today:

Spencer could be called upon if Jamar goes down/needs a rest and perform decently. He's the right size/shape now. Max Gawn is too good as a forward for VFL, he just has to keep working on it so he can hold a few more marks in the AFL as a forward/ruck. Bernie Vince should be ready this week. Billy Stretch will be a long term player. Michie/Riley/McKenzie could all provide some role at the contest if called upon but don't really impress.

Casey won more of the one on ones all over the ground. Loose ball, hardball, marks etc but the best patches of play might've been Collingwood with guys like Kennedy, Freeman and Seedsman involved. They are some decent players with speed and skill, which is something we lack at Casey.

[Deespicable 2,563]

Like others I only saw second half and Spencer and Gawn clearly stood out - partly because with Keefe gone, the Pies were a little shorter than required except for Mason Cox, who was given a bath by Spencil.

The two players who surprised me were:

The small forward with the beard - pretty sure it was Will Petropolous - he was a real goer.

Mitch White - his vision and hardness was great to see and he's another left footer which is what we need - I suspect he'll get a game mid-season.

Other comments:

Pedo didn't look fair dinkum like last year - maybe he's a bit disenchanted now that Frosty has taken his Mr Versatile role.

I actually didn't see Grimes - maybe my glasses aren't quite good enough and he was on other side of ground, but I presumed he and Matt Jones were rested in case of last minute senior call up.

The Pies had 14 listed players in their squad and we had about 16, so it was a good standard VFL game.

[DeeSpencer 23,417]

Like others I only saw second half and Spencer and Gawn clearly stood out - partly because with Keefe gone, the Pies were a little shorter than required except for Mason Cox, who was given a bath by Spencil.

The two players who surprised me were:

The small forward with the beard - pretty sure it was Will Petropolous - he was a real goer.

Mitch White - his vision and hardness was great to see and he's another left footer which is what we need - I suspect he'll get a game mid-season.

Other comments:

Pedo didn't look fair dinkum like last year - maybe he's a bit disenchanted now that Frosty has taken his Mr Versatile role.

I actually didn't see Grimes - maybe my glasses aren't quite good enough and he was on other side of ground, but I presumed he and Matt Jones were rested in case of last minute senior call up.

The Pies had 14 listed players in their squad and we had about 16, so it was a good standard VFL game.

Unless I was wrong Grimes was 46 with his head taped up in the second half. Hard to tell the difference because he looks like a VFL player. Same can be said for Riley and McKenzie.

[Demonland 66,372]

A TOUCH OF HISTORY by Whispering Jack

It turns out that Saturday 4 April, 2015 has gone down as an historic day for the Melbourne Football Club. It not only won an opening round match for the first time in a decade, introducing a bevy of first gamers for the club with an attractive new style of play, but even those on its list who didn't make it to the big stage on this day, were a part of history.

Long before Eddie McGuire and his Collingwood Football Club occupied the Westpac Centre and the adjoining ground at Olympic Park, that place was known as the "Motordome"* and owned by another Collingwood identity in John Wren. Back in 1932, when Melbourne was known as the Fuschias, the team played three VFL matches there while the MCG was undergoing resurfacing works.

The team was well beaten in all three contests including a 61-point hiding to the ultimate premier Richmond, coached by FV "Checker" Hughes in the first game. Melbourne moved back to its spiritual home at the MCG and late in the same year, Hughes walked out in the Tigers and joined Melbourne, turned them into "Demons" and won four premierships in the club's first golden era of the late 30s and the 40s. He remained at the club to see another six flags mentoring the great Norm Smith in the club's second golden era in the 50s and 60s.

Yesterday, 16 current day Demons returned to the ground as part of their club's alignment, the Casey Scorpions to finally secure a victory after more than eight decades. They were Rohan Bail, Jack Fitzpatrick, Max Gawn, Jack Grimes, James Harmes ®, Max King ®, Oscar McDonald, Jordie McKenzie, Viv Michie, Cam Pedersen, Aidan Riley, Jake Spencer, Billy Stretch, Dean Terlich, Bernie Vince and Mitch White ®.

The conditions were perfect for a practice match. I noticed Demon coach Paul Roos on the boundary fence before the start of the game, there was a good crowd in attendance and the weather was great. It was a such a pity therefore that Eddie's mob couldn't provide team sheets for the crowd or a scoreboard for that matter and it was difficult at times to pick up the Demon players let alone the Casey lads so please forgive me for any inadequacies in this report.

The Magpies also fielded 13 of their AFL list and while the Demon contingent looked to have the greater experience, it was a solid workout and a close game for three quarters until the Casey team put on the afterburners and outran a tiring Magpie outfit.

After conceding an early goal amid an early run of skill errors, the Scorpions controlled most of the opening term with Jake Spencer killing it in the ruck after a dreadful miskick to start proceedings. He got better and better as the game went on and it was he, and the strength of midfielders Bernie Vince and Jordie McKenzie, who kept the team on top for most of the game, the exception being in the second quarter when the Magpie runners were on top. Once the Casey forwards started presenting themselves, the goals came and the team exerted its dominance over the opposition.

The team was a little on the top heavy side in the warm conditions with Max Gawn, Jack Fitzpatrick and Max King joining Spencer in the 200cm plus bracket but the height was probably an advantage as the Magpies wilted in the end.

The Casey Scorpions are definitely set for a better season in 2015. They went into this game without a number of their leading lights from previous weeks and brought in a mix of experience in assistant coach Shannon Byrnes and stalwart Will Petropoulos and youth. Small man Nathan Paraedes was particularly impressive. The style of play was much more open and attacking than last year and I have little doubt that they will be a much better team to watch than they were last year when they finished second last to the now defunct Bendigo Gold.

If the team stays healthy, they will most likely figure in the finals but whatever happens, they've already been a part of history.

Casey Scorpions 3.5.23 5.6.36 11.10.76 15.11.101

Collingwood VFL 2.1.13 6.4.40 10.6.66 10.9.69

Goals Gawn Harmes King Paredes Petropolous 2 Riley Spencer Michie Pedersen Riley Spencer

Best Michie Vince White Stretch Spencer Paredes

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Rohan Bail - was in and out of the game and didn't have much impact.

Jack Fitzpatrick - played a reasonable game, mainly in defence where he is learning the caper.

Max Gawn - filled a number of big man roles but was best when up forward where he took some strong marks and kicked a couple of goals.

Jack Grimes - generally played his role in defence well although there were one or two skill errors that he needs to iron out of his game if he is to fight his way back into the Demons' side.

James Harmes ® - is really coming on as a footballer. Linked up well all day and kicked two goals for the day.

Max King ® - had a minor role for the day and is very much at the back of the queue when it comes to talls at the club but he did kick two goals, one a nice running goal in the third quarter. He's a development player at the club and, at this stage, it's possible given the players available that he might spend a part of the year in Casey's Development League team.

Oscar McDonald - showed some great composure in defence and should benefit from a year learning the trade at Casey where he will be under little pressure for promotion.

Jordie McKenzie - showed out with his strength and experience and got lots of the football. One of Casey's best.

Viv Michie - had a bright start but a bit patchy at times after that. Not as good a game as last week.

Cam Pedersen - kicked a goal in the second quarter but lacked a bit of zip.

Aidan Riley - hard over the ball and some strong tackling but struggled at times to compete with the pace of the Magpies.

Jake Spencer - dominated the ruck and, despite the occasional Spencil glitch, he was very good on the day. He will provide ideal cover for Mark Jamar if and when required.

Billy Stretch - real classy with outside run and good skills. I expect him to get a game in the seniors by the halfway mark of the season and eventually to be a long term player at the club.

Dean Terlich - first game up in the preseason and was working off the cobwebs.

Bernie Vince - really classy in the midfield and did enough to earn a call up for next week's game with the Demons in Canberra.

Mitch White ® - a strong lad with a beautiful left foot kick. Might take time to develop but looks a handy acquisition. I heard Paul Roos saying in an interview that one of the considerations when recruiting is to look at the direction in which the game is going. I think White is somewhere in that direction.

THE DEMONS WHO DIDN'T QUITE FARE

Chris Dawes - suspended. I was told by a couple of people that Dawes wanted to play but did not get the necessary permission.

Jayden Hunt - the speedster is still a month off but doing well in rehab after back problems ended his 2014 season.

Matt Jones - sat out the weekend with emergency duty for the Demons.

Alex Neal-Bullen - the midfield extractor from Glenelg is well into his recovery from a knee injury. Expect him back in a few weeks.

Christian Petracca - on the long term injury list with an ACL.

Jack Trengove - indefinite out with foot injury but reported to be coming along well.

COMING UP

Saturday 11th April - Casey Scorpions v Werribee at Casey Fields at 2.00pm (Development League at 11.00am)

* For more on the Motordome, see this article in Demon Wiki

[deanox 8,770]

"Max Gawn - filled a number of big man roles but was best when up forward where he took some strong marks and kicked a couple of goals."

I'd love Gawn to become a second ruck who can pay forward until he is ready to take over from Jamar in 12-24 months. He has the attributes to be very damaging if he can in fact put it together.

But right now I'm wondering who's place he is competing for, Frost? Because they are so different it week never be a straight swap.

I like this though. It is rare we will have all of our best 25 players available for selection with no injuries. They will come and players week get their chances. I just don't think we have the depth yet to cover more than 3 or 4 injuries without scraping the barrel.

[deanox 8,770]

PS Thanks for the reports everyone!

[Whispering_Jack 28,089]

A TOUCH OF HISTORY well.COMING UP

Saturday 11th April - Casey Scorpions v Werribee at Casey Fields at 2.00pm (Development League at 11.00am)

Casey plays Werribee next week but today, the Tigers play the Australian Under 18 team at Simmonds Stadium at 12:30pm. I believe it was in an equivalent game last year played against Collingwood VFL, James Angus Brayshaw played a blinder to place himself among the favourites for a top draft spot.

Edited April 7, 2015 by Whispering_Jack
at least I got the family right

[ickey_11 145]

Casey plays Werribee next week but today, the Tigers play the Australian Under 18 team at Simmonds Stadium at 12:30pm. I believe it was in an equivalent game last year played against Collingwood VFL, James Brayshaw played a blinder to place himself among the favourites for a top draft spot.

James Brayshaw?

[Whispering_Jack 28,089]

James Brayshaw?

Shows what a night of celebrating a win can do.

His nephew Angus went ok that day too.

[dazzledavey36 49,207]

Casey plays Werribee next week but today, the Tigers play the Australian Under 18 team at Simmonds Stadium at 12:30pm. I believe it was in an equivalent game last year played against Collingwood VFL, James Brayshaw played a blinder to place himself among the favourites for a top draft spot.

First it was reportong on the Port Mlebourne v Casey game yesterday and now James Brayshaw WJ?

Just dusting off the cobwebs im guessing WJ haha

[Whispering_Jack 28,089]

First it was reportong on the Port Mlebourne v Casey game yesterday and now James Brayshaw WJ?

Just dusting off the cobwebs im guessing WJ haha

I should be right by about round 4 though.

[Tough Kent 2,049]

WJ: What number did young Billy wear?

I liked what I saw from Oscar yesterday. The pace of the game caught him out at times but he got involved, was solid in the air and looked comfortable at the level.

[Slartibartfast 16,007]

61

[The team we love 416]

WJ: What number did young Billy wear?

I liked what I saw from Oscar yesterday. The pace of the game caught him out at times but he got involved, was solid in the air and looked comfortable at the level.

He was wearing number 61. I was very impressed - he's a natural footballer who finds plenty of it and makes good decisions. A very nice kick and doesn't mind putting his body in. He will play this year if he stays fit.

[KC from Casey 6,672]

The Casey Scorpions website has posted its report on Saturday's curtain raiser here.

Perhaps not as colourful as KC's review but informative nonetheless.

Andy has updated best players and goalkickers on the Demonland review of the game.

Edited April 7, 2015 by KC from Casey

[What 18,810]

good to hear Michie was BOG

Really like this kid and think he will force his way into the MFC team soon enough

[jnrmac 19,310]

Had to laugh, read the Collingwood report and they didn't even give the result or scores!!

[old dee 22,980]

Had to laugh, read the Collingwood report and they didn't even give the result or scores!!

Imagine how funny it will be after round 10