I'm absolutely thrilled with this.  Smith has all the tools to play AFL, we just need to see if he can put it together with the right training. 

1 hour ago, Cards13 said:

Great news for Smith, as others have said here is hoping the full time side of things allows him to develop further. He's not on the full list just yet but he has given himself a shot.

Fantastic results for the Casey alignment too. 

Hopefully this draws more young talent to Casey to top up the club if some of the overlooked guys see it as a pathway to AFL.

Yes and hope they are brothers!

Terrific reward for Smith and wonderful encouragement for the 20-somethings on the list for Casey in 2017 - if you perform at a high level consistently, the AFL dream may become a reality.

Who else on the Casey list do we think might make it?

Has looked like it for a few years now . Good move demons . 

Absolutely thrilled with this, remember in years passed always seeing his goals in the Casey highlights and thinking why the hell isnt he playing for the Dees instead?

Has a real touch of the Robbie Grays about him and seems to be a big moment player as well. Unbelievably gifted on both feet for those who aren't aware, his left foot snaps or better still dead eye dick left foot drop punts from the pocket are just sublime. The opportunity is his for the taking. 

Pull the finger out Bull, don't leave anything to chance and repay the faith. If he does we could have an absolute steal on our hands

8 minutes ago, mdemon said:

Terrific reward for Smith and wonderful encouragement for the 20-somethings on the list for Casey in 2017 - if you perform at a high level consistently, the AFL dream may become a reality.

Who else on the Casey list do we think might make it?

Jack Hutchins the skipper was on the Gold Coast list for a couple of years. Didn't have a huge impact up North, but had a killer year with Casey. Maybe being back home in Melbourne has really helped him, so could he possibly get another chance at the big shot?

4 hours ago, Drunkn167 said:

Jack Hutchins the skipper was on the Gold Coast list for a couple of years. Didn't have a huge impact up North, but had a killer year with Casey. Maybe being back home in Melbourne has really helped him, so could he possibly get another chance at the big shot?

Have rated Hutchins very highly for his leadership this year. Hope he gets another crack.

14 minutes ago, Jesus Hoganshaw said:

Have rated Hutchins very highly for his leadership this year. Hope he gets another crack.

I spoke recently to a family member of Jack Hutchins, who said that whilst it hadn't worked out at GC, he was determined to give it another crack, and if that meant going via the VFL, then he would do it. Hope he has another great year.

On 10/28/2016 at 10:09 PM, Whispering_Jack said:

The forward they call ‘Bull’ is a roughie for the AFL drafts

Nice write up. Paul Amy could be upgraded too.

 

12 hours ago, pitmaster said:

Nice write up. Paul Amy could be upgraded too.

 

Then you would most likely enjoy this one pitmaster:-

Casey Scorpions favourite and key forward Tim Smith gets a shot at the AFL

Welcome to the MFC Bull, hope to see you don the Red and Blue at some stage in the future. 

http://melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-01-29/hard-work-pays-off-for-smith

Let's hope that he fulfills his dreams and makes it for Round 1 (though he would have to displace Weids and Pedo in the process)!

18 minutes ago, CBDees said:

Let's hope that he fulfills his dreams and makes it for Round 1 (though he would have to displace Weids and Pedo in the process)!

It is great that there is competition for spots, and if he earns it good luck to him. 

Best of lucky Smithy.

This part really stood out to me from the link above...

"Smith said the fact that he and fellow rookie Declan Keilty was drafted from Melbourne’s VFL aligned side was a great example of how the ‘one club’ mentality had prospered.

And he was proud to become somewhat of a poster boy for fellow draft prospects eager to make the transfer from Casey to Melbourne.

“I’m absolutely rapt for Decs and myself,” he said.

“It’s unbelievable and it couldn’t have been a better outcome for both of us and Casey. The alignment this year was super strong and probably the strongest it’s ever been in my time at the club.

“I think for guys coming into Casey – it’s going to be a real focal point. There is a chance [that you can get drafted and play for Melbourne]. There is light at the end of the tunnel for guys that dig in and potentially be given an opportunity at AFL level.”

On 1/30/2017 at 6:48 AM, CBDees said:

Let's hope that he fulfills his dreams and makes it for Round 1 (though he would have to displace Weids and Pedo in the process)!

Took Tim a while but he may just have done what CBDees imagined 18 months ago.

Thought he looked like as though he belonged on the weekend. Strong and not easily moved off the ball.

Real competition between him, Pedersen and Weideman for that third tall spot.

Best time for him to come in and play a role. Would have been ideal for Weids but Smith is taking his chances at the minute.

Surprised and impressed by this guy, at the moment will be keeping Weid out for a while, good and bad to that but Weid is only 20?

Weideman shouldn't be playing AFL at this point based on his performances to date, so I'm happy for Smith to be taking his chance.

The big test will come on QB when Smith will need to hold his own in the ruck against Grundy & Cox. Do we have confidence that he can fight out a nil-all draw in these contests?

Really happy with Bull in our team, he's really added to that hardness that the team exemplifies. Although i really love the idea of Weid, on the seasons form so far i much prefer Bull for our chances to make and win finals.. But it's nice to have a Pedo/Weid in reserve just in case!

Such a beast and yet another massive boost for the team almost as if from nowhere.

The rest of the AFL are petrified, we just keep bringing in layers that make an impact and our depth is unparalleled.

 

Very happy for a nice guy who has never given up on his AFL dream.

Played his best game for us of the 4 so far and showed he can contribute.

A couple of goals, some big marks, some goal assists and better rucking than Jenkins, who is much bigger than Bull.

 

4 minutes ago, poita said:

Weideman shouldn't be playing AFL at this point based on his performances to date, so I'm happy for Smith to be taking his chance.

The big test will come on QB when Smith will need to hold his own in the ruck against Grundy & Cox. Do we have confidence that he can fight out a nil-all draw in these contests?

Probably only have Smithy contest against Grundy when Big M / Cox are resting Poita.  No point contesting against Cox.  Just run an extra number (Smithy/Hulk) at the ball up to contest at ground level and try to halve the contested ball / clearances.

Along with Smithy competing directly, we also appeared to use that "no designated" extra around the pill strategy a few times against the Crows i believe.

2 hours ago, poita said:

Weideman shouldn't be playing AFL at this point based on his performances to date, so I'm happy for Smith to be taking his chance.

The big test will come on QB when Smith will need to hold his own in the ruck against Grundy & Cox. Do we have confidence that he can fight out a nil-all draw in these contests?

Pretty sure Grundy doesn't like it coming straight at him at pace, for that matter no one does, but when it's a big bloke not actually trying to outreach and  just compete like Mummy, apprehension pervades. Cox belongs to Max..........

7 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Took Tim a while but he may just have done what CBDees imagined 18 months ago.

Thought he looked like as though he belonged on the weekend. Strong and not easily moved off the ball.

Real competition between him, Pedersen and Weideman for that third tall spot.

And how good is it that there is competition for the place .... nobody can rest on their laurels.

And if I heard correctly Pedersen was up there backing the team even though he may have felt he should be in the team.  Great club spirit.