I hear Casey settling on 15 players with a top up  supplementary group of 5 from local league if injuries mount up.

Jack Hutchins to captain again. Mitch Gent, Dylan Gordon, Goy Lok and Angus Scott to remain in 2018. Mitch White returns. Tom  Couch as playing assistant coach. Col Garland likely to support as required. 

Corey Wagner recruited to be another live wire forward and midfielder. 

  On 10/12/2017 at 12:49, spirit of norm smith said:

I hear Casey settling on 15 players with a top up  supplementary group of 5 from local league if injuries mount up.

Jack Hutchins to captain again. Mitch Gent, Dylan Gordon, Goy Lok and Angus Scott to remain in 2018. Mitch White returns. Tom  Couch as playing assistant coach. Col Garland likely to support as required. 

Corey Wagner recruited to be another live wire forward and midfielder. 

Barring injuries, Casey should be a powerful team again next season

Will Stephenson from the 2017 Gippsland Power team is onboard at Casey for VFL 2018.  Young midfielder/small forward.  I was told he was disappointed not to get a rookie spot but excited to get a chance at Casey.  

If all goes well on the injury and form front then we could be playing finals in both AFL and VFL. 

  On 22/12/2017 at 21:58, Frustrated Demon said:

If all goes well on the injury and form front then we could be playing finals in both AFL and VFL. 

That would be great, FD. 

Last year the Casey jumper and name was changed to Demons.  Now, we have significantly beefed up the Casey staffing.  http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-12-26/exciting-times-at-casey-maynard

This is a far cry from the pre Roos days.  He recruited Plapp to start integrating Casey and Demons. Looking at MFC website the Casey staff are fully integrated into the MFC structure. It is no coincidence that most of the recent AFL premiers have very successful and integrated VFL teams.  Bodes well for the future of both teams.

Sorry if this is reported elsewhere, Mitch White will line up for Casey next year.  http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-12-27/mitch-to-make-most-of-new-opportunity

It sounds like the pressure of being an AFL player got to him but at 21 he has every chance to get back to AFL as a mature age recruit.  Casey will be the better for having him in the side next year.

  On 28/12/2017 at 01:03, Lucifer's Hero said:

Sorry if this is reported elsewhere, Mitch White will line up for Casey next year.  http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-12-27/mitch-to-make-most-of-new-opportunity

It sounds like the pressure of being an AFL player got to him but at 21 he has every chance to get back to AFL as a mature age recruit.  Casey will be the better for having him in the side next year.

Its a shame that we jettisoned our Casey Demons B&F this year. Trengrove (and Melbourne) would be the better if he backed up his 2017 Casey B&F next year and could hold aloft the 2018 Premiership Cup. Very unlikely he is going to obtain any massive plaudits at Port Adelaide.

http://melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-12-28/inside-casey-taking-it-to-next-level

Good write up about where the Club and alignment is headed, everything looks great and from what I hear it's only going to get better over the next 5+ years for anyone wanting to give VFL a crack, Casey is gonna be where players want to go.

  On 28/12/2017 at 11:28, Drunkn167 said:

http://melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-12-28/inside-casey-taking-it-to-next-level

Good write up about where the Club and alignment is headed, everything looks great and from what I hear it's only going to get better over the next 5+ years for anyone wanting to give VFL a crack, Casey is gonna be where players want to go.

I'm pleased that the organization of the Casey Football Club is now becoming a professional and well regarded organization but I believe that the location of the Casey ground and the conditions that the players play under is to the significant detriment of the MFC.

The ground is poorly located in terms of weather.  Cranbourne has a significantly higher rainfall than Melbourne meaning the ground is often wetter than AFL players play on.  The ground has little if any meaningful protection from the wind and those that have attended on a regular basis will celebrate when a game is played in conditions where the wind is not a significant factor.  Moreover, in recent years we have played a number of games at night where dew makes conditions slippery and difficult.

These poor conditions result in poor skills and turn games into stoppage and tackle events.  There is little chance to practice game plan ideas as chains of possessions are all too infrequent.  Players like Weideman get little chance to practice their craft and the opportunity for others is also limited.

This of course wouldn't be a problem if AFL football was played in similar conditions but it isn't.  I recognize that not all other AFL clubs play in perfect conditions but Casey is as bad as I've seen except perhaps for North Ballarat.  It seems we are at Casey for the long haul and I hope we see some genuine attempt to improve the situation of the ground with the planting of appropriate trees and other wind protection if possible.

It would be nice if they could do something for spectators too, a decent grandstand that allowed you to get a good view of the game would be welcome but I understand that is probably well down the priority list.

Frankly viewing is so bad and the ground location so poor I'm surprised anyone can be bothered going.  I gave up a few years ago.

  On 28/12/2017 at 23:10, Vogon Poetry said:

I'm pleased that the organization of the Casey Football Club is now becoming a professional and well regarded organization but I believe that the location of the Casey ground and the conditions that the players play under is to the significant detriment of the MFC.

The ground is poorly located in terms of weather.  Cranbourne has a significantly higher rainfall than Melbourne meaning the ground is often wetter than AFL players play on.  The ground has little if any meaningful protection from the wind and those that have attended on a regular basis will celebrate when a game is played in conditions where the wind is not a significant factor.  Moreover, in recent years we have played a number of games at night where dew makes conditions slippery and difficult.

These poor conditions result in poor skills and turn games into stoppage and tackle events.  There is little chance to practice game plan ideas as chains of possessions are all too infrequent.  Players like Weideman get little chance to practice their craft and the opportunity for others is also limited.

This of course wouldn't be a problem if AFL football was played in similar conditions but it isn't.  I recognize that not all other AFL clubs play in perfect conditions but Casey is as bad as I've seen except perhaps for North Ballarat.  It seems we are at Casey for the long haul and I hope we see some genuine attempt to improve the situation of the ground with the planting of appropriate trees and other wind protection if possible.

It would be nice if they could do something for spectators too, a decent grandstand that allowed you to get a good view of the game would be welcome but I understand that is probably well down the priority list.

Frankly viewing is so bad and the ground location so poor I'm surprised anyone can be bothered going.  I gave up a few years ago.

Very good points, VP.  Most other clubs have received or are getting substantial government grants to upgrade ovals. 

Now that Casey is being used for VFL, VFLW and AFLW maybe its about time we put our hand out for some of those grants and put in the improvements you suggest.  And while they are at it upgrade access to/from the ground and car parks.

  On 28/12/2017 at 23:10, Vogon Poetry said:

 

Frankly viewing is so bad and the ground location so poor I'm surprised anyone can be bothered going.  I gave up a few years ago.

Me too.

Good that Casey is becoming more professional, and more integrated with the Dees.

Casey does have one large factor in its favor, rapidly growing population of young families.  Over time there will hopefully be more investment in Casey Fields in terms of surface, player facilities and grandstands. More grandstands and taller trees should assist with reducing impact of the breeze.

I went to about 6 VFL games this year featuring Casey but did not venture out to the Casey ground itself.

Really enjoyed the experience but based on the attendances it is hard to see a case being made for substantial investment unless the various grounds can be turned into multi use facilities.

Not sure what the future is for VFL but it certainly needs some changes if it is not going to die a slow death.

  On 29/12/2017 at 01:54, Diamond_Jim said:

I went to about 6 VFL games this year featuring Casey but did not venture out to the Casey ground itself.

Really enjoyed the experience but based on the attendances it is hard to see a case being made for substantial investment unless the various grounds can be turned into multi use facilities.

Not sure what the future is for VFL but it certainly needs some changes if it is not going to die a slow death.

The case for substantial investment in Casey Fields is made by the fast growing population and use by mens and womens teams.

Word is that if the City of Casey build a grandstand on that southern end (where the wind comes from) Melbourne will play a game for premiership points there in the future 

  On 29/12/2017 at 05:33, Drunkn167 said:

Word is that if the City of Casey build a grandstand on that southern end (where the wind comes from) Melbourne will play a game for premiership points there in the future 

I sure hope not 'Drunkn', even with a new grandstand it would not be good enough for AFL games in Melbourne.

  On 29/12/2017 at 06:43, rjay said:

I sure hope not 'Drunkn', even with a new grandstand it would not be good enough for AFL games in Melbourne.

What is with everyone's beef with Casey Fields? 

Yes the weather can affect games but the Wind isn't as bad as Ballarat, Williamstown, Werribee or Sandy Point

Plus outside the AFL grounds it's probably the best playing surface in the state, for those that haven't been there for a few years the City has invested tonnes of cash into making the playing surface unreal to play on

Melbourne/Casey have a huge home ground advantage there so why not play a game against say a Gold Coast or Brisbane which won't draw a huge crowd, if a decent size grandstand is built?

  On 29/12/2017 at 07:14, Drunkn167 said:

What is with everyone's beef with Casey Fields? 

Yes the weather can affect games but the Wind isn't as bad as Ballarat, Williamstown, Werribee or Sandy Point

Plus outside the AFL grounds it's probably the best playing surface in the state, for those that haven't been there for a few years the City has invested tonnes of cash into making the playing surface unreal to play on

Melbourne/Casey have a huge home ground advantage there so why not play a game against say a Gold Coast or Brisbane which won't draw a huge crowd, if a decent size grandstand is built?

For one it's a bad viewing ground...

Then there's the issue of getting there and getting in.

Plus we draw crowds of around 25k + at the 'G' for these games, we've go no hope of getting that at Casey unless they do a Geelong like upgrade and not just one stand.

Have I mentioned the viewing and transport???

The other grounds you've mentioned are not AFL grounds either and yes the surface might be great but...

 

HI Drunk'n.....Casey is 54k from the CBD.

Most people thought Waverley was a fair drive but that was only 27k from the CBD.

Most of the VFL grounds are within 10k of the CBD and have a lot of character. Williamstown on a sunny day is fantastic... a short train ride from the city and some great fish and chips. Coburg is similarly well located and the list goes on.

For a CBD based team Casey was always going to be a hard sell.

PS I think my favourite is a trip to South Melb market and then a short stroll to Port's oval. At $5 with your MFC membership it's a fun day out.

Not sure why we can't share Punt Road with the Toiges on playing days (or perhaps Princes Park) and then have all players train at Gosch's paddock. I suspect the reality is that we get a cheap deal out at Casey and fan following/comfort is not a priority for this competition. A pity because it could be community football at its best with a little work.

  On 29/12/2017 at 07:59, Diamond_Jim said:

Not sure why we can't share Punt Road with the Toiges on playing days (or perhaps Princes Park) and then have all players train at Gosch's paddock. I suspect the reality is that we get a cheap deal out at Casey and fan following/comfort is not a priority for this competition. A pity because it could be community football at its best with a little work.

Just on this point, pretty sure fan following is a huge priority. In the article I linked it talks about the community programs and the large spike of MFC memberships in the the region.

  On 29/12/2017 at 05:33, Drunkn167 said:

Word is that if the City of Casey build a grandstand on that southern end (where the wind comes from) Melbourne will play a game for premiership points there in the future 

Lets hope it's not a night game, visibility from the lights used is appalling.  I can't believe that the AFL have scheduled our pre-season game against Saints for 7PM rather than daytime.

I have no issue with the ground otherwise, apart from its geographic isolation.

  On 29/12/2017 at 07:14, Drunkn167 said:

What is with everyone's beef with Casey Fields? 

Yes the weather can affect games but the Wind isn't as bad as Ballarat, Williamstown, Werribee or Sandy Point

Plus outside the AFL grounds it's probably the best playing surface in the state, for those that haven't been there for a few years the City has invested tonnes of cash into making the playing surface unreal to play on

Melbourne/Casey have a huge home ground advantage there so why not play a game against say a Gold Coast or Brisbane which won't draw a huge crowd, if a decent size grandstand is built?

If it means giving up our 2 home games interstate I would be all for it, not the worst idea I’ve heard...

  On 07/01/2018 at 03:10, DemonDave said:

Lets hope it's not a night game, visibility from the lights used is appalling.  I can't believe that the AFL have scheduled our pre-season game against Saints for 7PM rather than daytime.

I have no issue with the ground otherwise, apart from its geographic isolation.

And the car park and public transport is terrible

Apart from the [censored] facilities it is way to far to travel especially when I travel west of Melbourne which is a pity.