No surprise but the winner of the 2024 lan Gardner & Simon Clark Medal is …

Mitch White on 130 votes followed by Roan Steel on 100 votes and Matt Jefferson on 97 votes.

Congratulations

6 hours ago, KC from Casey said:

No surprise but the winner of the 2024 lan Gardner & Simon Clark Medal is …

Mitch White on 130 votes followed by Roan Steel on 100 votes and Matt Jefferson on 97 votes.

Congratulations

Jeffo getting 3rd is a very good effort. High hopes for this young man after a poor year from Casey and the MFC. 
 

Thanks for all your efforts and contributions KC. I think I can speak on behalf of most around here when I say it’s very much appreciated 

Well done, Mitch! We talk a lot of heart and soul players for Demons - Mitch is very much the equivalent for Casey.

9 hours ago, KC from Casey said:

No surprise but the winner of the 2024 lan Gardner & Simon Clark Medal is …

Mitch White on 130 votes followed by Roan Steel on 100 votes and Matt Jefferson on 97 votes.

Congratulations

@picket fence either celebrating heavily, or yelling profanities outside AAMI

Well done Mitch....but this just shows how far behind are the Melbourne listed players, many of whom had played most of the season at Casey. 

 George Grey and Corey Ellison former Casey listed players are both short listed for the Fothergill Round Mitchell medal this season, and according to the 'pundits' may be considered as candidates for AFL recruitment.

So the cupboard might not as bare as Old Mother Hubbard makes out. Second placed Roan Steel played mainly in defence this year, but has the all ground game that may appeal to AFL list decision makers. Collingwood seem to pluck out later bloomers from obscurity with aplomb why not MFC?

Edited August 30, 2024Aug 30 by Tarax Club

VFL coach Taylor Whitford shares his thoughts on ten key players who have made a significant impact throughout the season. From emerging talents to seasoned veterans, Whitford's insights provide a deeper understanding of the individual contributions that have shaped the Dees' journey in 2024.

Andy Moniz-Wakefield

"2024 saw Andy assume a new role across half-back. There was a period of adjustment to his new role in that first part of the season, but after a breakout performance against Williamstown in round 6, he was away. He went on to average 26 disposals per VFL game and was rewarded with an AFL debut, playing six AFL games at the back end of the season."

Bailey Laurie

"Bailey was a consistent performer at VFL level this season. His work in and around stoppages made him a damaging player in the league, going on to average 24 disposals, seven tackles, and five clearances per game."

Kai Windsor

"Joining the VFL program this year, Kai played 15 games. This was a brilliant effort, considering some of the limitations he had coming into the pre-season through injury and surgeries over the course of last year. Demonstrating such great attributes, his speed and great ball use, at only 20, we can't wait to see what he can do in the coming years."

Kynan Brown

"Kynan had a brilliant first season at the club, making real strides in his game performance and role understanding at VFL level, being rewarded with AFL opportunities in the back end of the season. Playing through various roles, whether up forward, as a midfielder or on a wing, he averaged 17 possessions and three clearances per match, with the highlight being a massive 27 disposal and 24 tackle game against Frankston in Round 17."

Matthew Jefferson

"Jeffo was able to develop some real consistency in his game in 2024. He had nine games with two or more goals, finishing with 29 goals for the season, and he was 11th in the VFL goal-kicking tally. He was able to show more readily his capacity to take both contested marks and still follow up and be clean on ground level."

Max Gregory

"Off the back of an injury-free and full pre-season, Max would be one of the more improved and reliable players at Casey this season. He was able to tally a career-best 16 VFL games and was tasked with the opposition's most dangerous small forwards each week. We love Max's ability to win contests, but it's his speed and run and carry with the ball that was most exciting."

Mitch White

"What a season Whitey put together. Averaging 23 disposals and five tackles per game, he was so consistent in not only his performance on field each week but his ability to lead and teach our young VFL group."

Roan Steele

"Promoted to co-vice-captain this season, Roan continued to show his quality at the VFL level. After a slower start to the season than he would have liked, a shift to a new role at half-back allowed him to flourish, averaging 20 disposals and five rebound 50's in the games he played there."

Tyler Edwards

"Teddy took some real strides in his game in 2024. Playing in all 18 VFL matches, through a variety of roles, he found his feet both on a wing and was able to get some expose through the midfield."

Will Verrall

"Will had some strong performances within season 2024. He showed the ability to more than match it with more experienced rucks within the competition whilst being able to use his strengths around the ground. His Round 17 game against Frankston, where he amassed 18 disposals alongside 45 hitouts, was a highlight."

I'm not sure if this is quite the right question but: what's the knock on Kynan Brown?

I didn't quite understand why they brought him in, barely played him then consigned him to Casey, even after the season was clearly gone.

Another way of putting it: he seems like a goer and we kept playing end-of-career plodders and then wondering why our effort wasn't "at the level". 

 

Casey B&F 

1st 👏👏👏Mitch White - inspirational captain  Defender turned inside mid. Clearly best for Casey in 2024

2nd 👏👏Roan Steele vice captain 3rd year at Casey. Mid sized half back /half forward.  

3rd 👏Matt Jefferson - 2nd year AFL listed key forward.  Inconsistent year but showed he had capability to be key forward.  Preseason in the gym and some guidance from Choco still needed.  
 

Rising star.  👍🏻Kai Windsor (20yo, Caleb’s older brother). Recovered from year out with injury.  Played some reasonable footy but often limited minutes and looks just ok at VFL level.  Not AFL standard at this time.  
 

Values Award.👍🏻 Roan Steele / definitely 
 

 

Is there a top 10 or more available? Curious to see where the other dees landed.

9 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

VFL coach Taylor Whitford shares his thoughts on ten key players who have made a significant impact throughout the season.

Conspicuously absent from that is Jed Adams. The invisible man.

1 hour ago, Nascent said:

Is there a top 10 or more available? Curious to see where the other dees landed.

VFL Top Ten Vote Count

1. Mitch White - 130 Votes

2. Roan Steele - 100 Votes

3. Matt Jefferson - 97 Votes

4. Oliver Sestan - 92 Votes

4. Bailey Laurie - 92 Votes

6. Kynan Brown - 86 Votes

6. Tom Fullarton - 86 Votes

8. Tyler Edwards - 85 Votes

9. Will Verrall - 75 Votes

10. Max Gregory - 74 Votes

Andy Moniz -Wakefield played 12 of the 18 VFL games. In my opinion, he was our best player alongside White in 5 or 6 of those games as well as one of the best players in most other games. Very strange that he wasn’t in the top 10. Definitely one player who deserved promotion on his strong Casey performances. 

11 hours ago, bing181 said:

Conspicuously absent from that is Jed Adams. The invisible man.

Casey were pretty poor all year and most games the ball was parked in their D50 for the majority of the game

The fact he rarely if ever got into double figures in the possession count is pretty damming imo 

Hopefully he has a big pre season and builds some strength and confidence because both seem to be lacking at this stage 

12 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

VFL Top Ten Vote Count

1. Mitch White - 130 Votes

2. Roan Steele - 100 Votes

3. Matt Jefferson - 97 Votes

4. Oliver Sestan - 92 Votes

4. Bailey Laurie - 92 Votes

6. Kynan Brown - 86 Votes

6. Tom Fullarton - 86 Votes

8. Tyler Edwards - 85 Votes

9. Will Verrall - 75 Votes

10. Max Gregory - 74 Votes

Really surprised that Andy Moniz-Wakefield wasn’t in the top 3 to be honest.

Mitch White the only nominee in the VFL Player of the Year but others like Ellison and Grey who left Casey for elsewhere who made it.