1 hour ago, Supreme_Demon said:

Not too worried about Matt Jefferson yet.

He just needs to have a big pre-season and look to build fitness and muscle in the gym. It is only his first year on an AFL list.

Plus he isn't Jack Watts and we can't put all our hopes in him. Matt Jefferson just needs time to develop at Casey.

 

Lastly, I thought Andy Moniz-Wakefield played really well actually. There were a few positives at least! 🤷🏼‍♂️

What he needs is a whole lot more than muscle. Most of this sport is between the ears. He should improve in time in the system and may have some good days at Casey like Weideman did and Schache has, but he reminds me of them just in his lack of physicality, intensity and competitiveness. Physicality is very rarely developed - you either 'get it' (Hogan from game 1), or you don't. Despite being the poster boy for softness I thought Watts actually did improve in this area over his career, but let's face it he was probably given more time early days than other non-messiah draftees. 

Weid dominated juniors with his running jump and long arms - as soon as he met defenders that could put on a body, he had his only weapon taken away. 

No fun writing a kid off, and Jeffo is at the end of a very long first season playing a key post in the VFL, but gee there is plenty to be concerned about.

He was insipid today. Couldn't get to a contest, couldn't get the footy, didn't look like he even wanted to be there. It was fair dinkum embarrassing at times.  And he'll play on far better defenders than Ryan Gardner...

Edited September 2, 20231 yr by fr_ap

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Fantastic contribution from these two.

I didn't watch the entire game but I definitely saw Jefferson have a kick leading to an AMW goal. These stats have been a bit dodgy throughout the year.

Didn't do much else up on a wing that I saw though.

From today …

Jefferson.  Yes the first year for Jefferson was all about development.  Have to give him a few years of physical growth to see if he’s able to make it. He showed signs at times imv but it’s still a 50/50 call.  
 

Adams.  Like his defensive spoils and will be better for a full preseason in the gym.  Not clear that he’s going to be the successor to May but let’s give him extra time. 

Rookies.

Verrell.  Looks good. Injury set him back this year. Definitely could be a ruck/forward  future option but again it’s 2025 and beyond for him imv. 

AMW is a likely Yes. Still raw but like his tackling and goal smarts.  Like to see him and Kozzzy in the same team next year.  A good summer might see him in contention for a senior game in the first half of next year.  

Farris-White.  Raw. A long way off. 

2 hours ago, jnrmac said:

Jefferson will be lucky to make it sadly. I wish him well but there just isn't anything about him that screams afl other thanhis height.  Little urgency, no physicality or mongrel or even skills compared to say Sestan that has skills,  footy nous and natural goal awareness.  Sestan may not make it either but there is at least a core skill set to work with. 

Look, I was disappointed the moment we drafted him purely because I wasn't a fan of his draft highlights as he looked timid and lacked the physical competitiveness that Goody loves in players, so I was honestly shocked as well with this pick.

But I was wrong about McVee last year at VFL level and thought he'd be delisted. So I'm super reluctant to write the kid off early. 

Based on my observations this year I haven't really been impressed that much. Hopefully a big pre season will change all that just like it did for McVee.

3 hours ago, Neil Crompton said:

I think it is really a poor show by MFC, imo. There is no way that Schache, Brown, Woey and Spargo would be getting a game on Thursday so they should have played today, which would have really helped Casey, and at least made them competitive. To my mind they have really let down Casey, and let down those 4 who go without a game. I’m [censored]. 

Brown is injured.

As for the rest we are keeping 1-2 back ups for each position heading into finals. Anything can happen. A training mishap, concussion, an injury during week one of finals. Illness. You never know and you don’t want to die wondering. 

Spargo is definitely in line for a call up if they are unsure about Laurie for example. And Schache and Woey are insurance. If one of Hunter or Langdon get injured Woey could replace them. And if we lose anymore talls then Schache is basically next in line. 
 

Casey were up against it this season needing to win a wild card just to make finals. Whereas our AFL side is right in the mix to win another flag. I know where my priorities are and while it sucks for Casey, that is just how it is. 

Edited September 2, 20231 yr by Jaded No More

5 hours ago, Sydney_Demon said:

I posted on this regarding the proposal to introduce a Wildcard Round for the AFL (which was rejected by the Club CEOs). Basically the introduction of a Wildcard Round severely advantages the 5th & 6th teams which will probably also have implications for the Semi-Finals, as the losing Qualifying Finalists will be disadvantaged compared to the winning Elimination Finalists (assumng the latter are the 5th & 6th teams).

The situation is further exacerbated by the Wildcard Round being played on Sunday when it should have been played on Saturday. So the 5th & 6th teams not only get a week's break but they play the 7th & 8th teams off 6-day breaks which could have been totally avoided. 

Unlike others I have no problems with Melbourne resting fringe AFL players this week. Obviously they're going to do what maximises their chances of success on Thursday night. Imagine if they had played them for Casey and injuries/concussions had occurred. Much easier and more sensible to manage their loads in a controlled training environment. 

But it was so important for the AFL side to have the reserves still alive in the finals series.  ...to have non-rusty , hopefully in-form,replacements for injured, or out-of-form  players from the seniors.

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Based on my observations this year I haven't really been impressed that much. Hopefully a big pre season will change all that just like it did for McVee.

Jefferson's last few games in the H&A, showed his was developing, OK.

Without having a big forward with him he looked lost. Even when they pushed him up the field he just couldn't get near it.

You would think in a game that has a fair bit attached to it, he would have to run at the ball. When he got close to it he fumbled. Did he even get a tackle. 

Thought today he was back to his early season form.  

He needs some kind of pre-season and early form next year, to get me thinking he is a possible for a game at AFL level.

McVee turned up to pre-season looking bigger, and with a great attitude.

Hoping Jefferson doesn't take time off yet. Maybe a couple of weeks for Chrissy.

Edited September 2, 20231 yr by kev martin

9 minutes ago, Jumping Jack Clennett said:

But it was so important for the AFL side to have the reserves still alive in the finals series.  ...to have non-rusty , hopefully in-form,replacements for injured, or out-of-form  players from the seniors.

Yes, bit like 2021 hey?

5 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Would like to hear the club protest because if they’ve had players pulled out due to the afl bye making them ineleigible it’s a joke. 

Yes, if that's the case it is a joke.

All players should be considered eligible until the senior team is knocked out of finals.

SEASON OVER by KC From Casey

The Casey Demons made like desperados as they entered the last chance saloon for their VFL Elimination Final against the Footscray Bulldogs at Box Hill City Oval on Saturday. With most of their experienced Melbourne-listed players pulled from the game to ensure they were fit if called upon for a Thursday night’s AFL Qualifying Final, Casey was put into the position akin to bringing a knife to a gunfight and it didn't end well. The result was a 79-point massacre … season over.

Casey’s title defence has been flagging in recent months. The Demons were heading for a double chance as they entered the final rounds but single digit defeats in their last three matches forced them into the Wildcard Round and a six-day break before this match up against a fully rested Bulldogs who had 15 of their AFL-listers available. 

Casey’s cause was also hampered with the loss through injury of players who would otherwise have been eligible and the ACL damage to Luke Dunstan was a major blow, followed up by the player withdrawals that left the club with one AFL experienced MFC player and seven others who have yet to achieve that level.

In the place of elite level footballers, Casey was forced to rely on foot soldiers who have been battling away at lower levels including one who last played in the AFL in 2019. It truly was a case of bringing a knife to a gunfight.

In the event, the Demons battled it out early in the piece, absorbing the game’s early heat and with thanks to the indestructible Jimmy Munro, talented midfielder James Harmes and a handful of overworked contributors led by Roan Steele and Tom Freeman, they momentarily held a one-point lead in the shadows of quarter time. This would have pleased first year coach Taylor Whitford but suddenly, he was helpless as the floodgates opened with three Footscray goals in as many minutes at the end of the term and his team went into the first break with a 17 point deficit.

Having established superiority, the Bulldogs worked their opposition over in the next twenty minutes. The Demon cause was hit hard by the fact that many of their number were unable to get their hands on the football.

They were lucky that the Doggies were off target with six behinds in a row … until the goals inevitably started to flow. Three goals in three minutes saw them out to a 41-point lead before the battling Demons got their second wind.

Steele and Ryan Valentine goaled and the former added another to give him three for the game so far. At the 29 minute mark, it was incredibly almost back to game on but once again, a couple of late goals saw the Bulldogs back in total control with a 35-point lead at the main break.

After that, it was a case of too many Bulldog guns against too few Casey knives. They added six more unanswered goals until George Grey found the big sticks 26 minutes into the premiership quarter. Andy Moniz-Wakefield and Steele added two each in the final term as the Demons battled to avoid a humiliating 100 point defeat which they thankfully did well to avert.

For Melbourne fans, it was a game that left something of a poor taste but the explanation is to be found in the fact that the club has bigger fish to fry in the coming week. But that is no consolation to those who worked their butts off to bring about the dream of back to back premierships at Casey. 

Munro (32 possessions and 9 tackles) was easily his team’s best and Harmes (25 touches) the best of the motley Melbourne crew but they, along with skipper Mitch White couldn’t be expected to carry the heavy load of a cutthroat final. Roan Steele had a day out with a fantastic five goal contribution, Moniz-Wakefield had his moments as did Deakyn Smith and Freeman in defence but they were generally overwhelmed in the absence of some of the AFL-listers who were left out of the side. Will Verrell and Jed Adams tried hard but they and their teammates needed the support that was deprived to them.

The statistics don’t lie. Too many of the team made little or no contribution to the cause and some appeared completely unarmed in this gunfight. One can only hope that they can take something from the experience and return to fight again without damage caused to their careers.

CASEY DEMONS 2.4.16 5.4.34 6.9.45 10.9.69

FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS 5.3.33 10.9.69 16.11.107 22.16.148

GOALS

CASEY DEMONS Steele 5 Moniz-Wakefield 2 Grey Munro Valentine

FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS Clarke Garcia Khamis Poulter 3 Craig-Peters Macpherson Sullivan West 2 Goater Sweet 

BEST

CASEY DEMONS Munro Steele Freeman Harmes Edwards Moniz-Wakefield 

FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS Poulter Sullivan Sweet Garcia Crozier Khamis 

Statistics 

Jed Adams 7 kicks 1 handball 8 disposals 5 marks 2 tackles 46 dream team points
Jack Bell 6 kicks 4 handballs 10 disposals 1 mark 6 hit outs 30 dream team points 
Heath Briggs 3 handballs 3 disposals 3 dream team points 
Matt Buntine 5 kicks 1 handballs 6 disposals 4 marks 26 dream team points
Tyler Edwards 12 kicks 6 handballs 18 disposals 5 marks 7 tackles 94 dream team points
Finn Emile-Brennan 3 kicks 1 handballs 4 disposals 1 marks 14 dream team points 
Kyah Farris-White 1 tackle 2 hit outs 6 dream team points 
Tom Freeman 22 kicks 1 handballs 23 disposals 7 marks 2 tackles 101 dream team points
George Grey 1 goals 8 kicks 3 handballs 11 disposals 4 marks 2 tackles 53 dream team points
James Harmes 1 behind 14 kicks 11 handballs 25 disposals 5 marks 4 tackles 90 dream team points
Matt Jefferson 1 kick 1 disposal 3 dream team points 
Tom McRae 7 kicks 3 handballs 10 disposals 2 marks 34 dream team points 
Andy Moniz-Wakefield 2 goals 1 behind 10 kicks 3 handballs 13 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 57 dream team points 
Ned Moodie 10 kicks 5 handballs 15 disposals 5 marks 1 tackle 1 hit out 56 dream team points
James Munro 1 goal 16 kicks 16 handballs 32 disposals 5 marks 9 tackles 131 dream team points
Harvey Neocleous 6 kick 7 handballs 13 disposals 4 marks 1 tackles 42 dream team points
Deaykin Smith 12 kicks 3 handballs 15 disposals 8 marks 2 tackles 72 dream team points
Roan Steele 5 goals 9 kicks 5 handballs 14 disposals 3 marks 1 tackles 76 dream team points
Ziggy Toledo-Glasman 2 kicks 2 handballs 4 disposals 2 marks 13 dream team points  
Kye Turner 9 kicks 1 handball 10 disposals 5 marks 1 tackle 48 dream team points
Ryan Valentine 1 goal 1 kicks 1 handballs 2 disposals 1 marks 11 dream team points 
Will Verrall 1 behind 7 kicks 5 handballs 12 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 12 hit outs 60 dream team points
Mitch White 2 behinds 15 kicks 2 handballs 17 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 72 dream team points 

Jefferson smothered the ball and centred a kick to the goalsquare leading to an AMW goal at the 8.15 minute mark of the last quarter. Not sure if he had any other possessions go uncredited. I only watched parts of the 3rd and 4th and didn't see him have any more of the ball then.

There has to be a better answer than what we were dished up with this weekend. Both Casey and Collingwood VFL went down in a screaming heap. In our case, a number of players will be left without valuable match practice in the event of them being required to play later in September. There are concerns about a couple of our young players who played without the support of more experienced players who could have taken part and hopefully, they will take the lead of the likes of Judd McVee, JvR and Taj Woewoedin and work on their development over the off season.

Most of us would have discounted McVee’s future prospects 12 months ago when he struggled at this level and yet, he is one of very few who have played every game throughout this season. It wasn’t luck. He didn’t sit back feeling sorry for himself - he put in the hard yards over the summer.

Still, the AFL & VFL have to do something about this debacle that is discussed in this Herald Sun article - 

Grundy might have played last Dees game after VFL debacle

“A new chink was thumped in the armour of the beefed up VFL on Saturday when Melbourne pulled out players from Casey's knockout clash with Footscray.

”As the AFL Demons prepared for a Thursday qualifying final, Casey's team announcement on Friday was more about who wasn't playing than who was”…

“The 21-team VFL is riddled with flaws and seems destined for further shake ups in years to come.

“There is no doubt if it were a genuine reserves competition, games wouldn't have been played on an AFL bye weekend and perhaps it is worth considering moving the competition in line with the bye, with a potential VFL grand final the Friday night before the AFL decider.

“Yet again on Saturday, it appeared like the league was caught between being reserves or a serious competition in its own right”.

Hopefully, this is the last time we see this situation arise.

Jeffo did a lot of good work off the ball, shepherds, splitting packs,  good voice out there, he’ll be ok.

On 9/2/2023 at 5:16 PM, Nascent said:

I didn't watch the entire game but I definitely saw Jefferson have a kick leading to an AMW goal. These stats have been a bit dodgy throughout the year.

Didn't do much else up on a wing that I saw though.

The original stats have been updated after checking the ones on the AFL site.