Casey Demons - offseason 2024/5

[KC from Casey 7,061]

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

They've both left the club.

Both returned to local level full time.

That’s most likely the case with Hustwaite who announced that he was heading back to play with Rosebud -

Campbell Hustwaite's raw account of the heartbreaking end to his Collingwood AFL dream

“Now, after a stint at Casey Demons, Hustwaite has made a difficult call of his own, dropping back to local football at the age of 23.

He's returned to Rosebud, where his father, Mark, was senior coach, where his older brother Fletcher is captain, where his younger brother and Hawthorn AFL player Henry also

emerged, and where some of his best mates play.

Some people have told him it's too early for him to leave the VFL. But he answers that recruiters and clubs have been watching him since he was 16 and someone would already have picked him if they thought he was good enough to play in the AFL.

"It's not like I'm some flash in the pan who's come from local footy or I'm this late bloomer," Hustwaite says.

"If I'm still not on a list, l'm a big boy, I can take it. Maybe people think I'm not up to AFL standard."

He says he did everything he could to get drafted out of the VFL and join the long list of players to have made the jump from the state league.

In the end, it wasn't enough.“

Still, you never know. Perhaps, he’s had a change of mind. Why would they keep his name (and Connolly’s) on the list if he’s definitely given up?

[Timothy Reddan-A'Blew 5,074]

From those in the know, is there anything to be optimistic about with this list as a playing group where our included AFL-listed players can develop and retain, and preferably develop, their capabilities, confidence and ambition?

[spirit of norm smith 16,304]

Why are players leaving Casey? White, Hustwaite, Connolly, Valentine, Steele, Szybkowski. All departed (and after the big loss of Munro at the end of 2023) . 

is it the lack of club identity? What is Casey as a club? 
Springvale Football Club (1903–2005)
Casey Scorpions (2006–2016). 
Casey Demons (2017-present) 

I think they have tried to identify with the Springvale past, but unsure whether that’s been effective.  Only other AFL aligned clubs are Box Hill Hawks & Sandringham Zebras.  At least Sandringham has a direct Coates league alignment and kept its identity.    The remaining VFL Clubs are either AFL reserves teams or standalone clubs.  

is it the lack of opportunity and constant shifting in and out of being included.

Casey needs a squad of players to supplement the AFL players (depth & development)   Currently from last season, in my view, from the remaining squad, only Neocleous, Edwards, Cross, Windsor (Kai) and Freeman are at good player level at VFL standards. I hope these 5 players stay and get good game time in 2025. Casey needs to add 5-6 Coates League youngsters and ADD ex AFL listed players like Gary Rohan, Jai Culley & Cooper Vickery . 

Casey needs to be strong club and have a squad of players to supplement the AFL MFC list. 

[Heart Beats True 1,183]

11 hours ago, Wilson7 said:

List Changes so far

2025 LIST

Jack BEHNK  (2024), 1 game 
Leo CONNOLLY  (2024), 4 games, 1 goal
Paddy CROSS  (2023-24), 10 games, 2 goals
Tyler EDWARDS  (2022-24), 30 games, 9 goals
Tom FREEMAN  (2018-19, 2022-24), 55 games
Roy GEORGE  (2024), 5 games, 4 goals
Andrew GREEN  (2024), 1 game
Max GREGORY  (2023-24), 24 games
Campbell HUSTWAITE  (2024), 2 games, 1 goal
Eddie KING  (2024), 5 games, 2 goals
Brayden LAPLANCHE  (2024), 5 games
Caleb LEWIS  (2024), 3 games, 3 goals
Harvey NEOCLEUS  (2022-24), 23 games, 11 goals
Charlie PETERS  (2023-24), 10 games, 4 goals
Ned MOODIE  (2023-24), 10 games
Tom SHERIDAN  (2023-24), 4 games, 5 goals
Kobe SHIPP  (2024), 2 games
Deakyn SMITH  (2021-23), 44 games
Ziggy TOLEDO-GLASMAN  (2023-24), 4 games, 2 goals
Kai WINDSOR  (2024), 15 games, 3 goals

IN

Deakyn SMITH  (2021-23), 44 games

OUT

Jack BELL  (2021-24), 34 games, 7 goals 
Roan STEELE  (2022-24), 53 games, 19 goals
Mitch SZYBKOWSKI  (2024), 12 games, 3 goals
Ryan VALENTINE  (2022-24), 24 games, 9 goals    
Mitch WHITE  (2015-19, 2021-24), 138 games, 86 goals 

AFL PLAYERS OUT

Ben BROWN  (2021-24), 22 games, 41 goals
Kyah FARRIS-WHITE  (2023-24),  12 games, 1 goal
Lachie HUNTER  (2024), 10 games, 1 goal
Josh SCHACHE  (2023-24), 27 games,  43 goals
Adam TOMLINSON  (2022-24), 32 games   

Deakyn Smith isn’t playing for Casey next season. He’s signed on with Thomastown for 2025 as per the article linked in my prior post.

[Hawk the Demon 975]

I wonder how we get reliable information about Casey and its list? Peter Maynard seems to do a great job down there as the Manager - maybe the administrators can establish a line into him?

[george_on_the_outer 7,580]

24 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Why are players leaving Casey? White, Hustwaite, Connolly, Valentine, Steele, Szybkowski. All departed (and after the big loss of Munro at the end of 2023) . 

is it the lack of club identity? What is Casey as a club? 
Springvale Football Club (1903–2005)
Casey Scorpions (2006–2016). 
Casey Demons (2017-present) 

I think they have tried to identify with the Springvale past, but unsure whether that’s been effective.  Only other AFL aligned clubs are Box Hill Hawks & Sandringham Zebras.  At least Sandringham has a direct Coates league alignment and kept its identity.    The remaining VFL Clubs are either AFL reserves teams or standalone clubs.  

is it the lack of opportunity and constant shifting in and out of being included.

Casey needs a squad of players to supplement the AFL players (depth & development)   Currently from last season, in my view, from the remaining squad, only Neocleous, Edwards, Cross, Windsor (Kai) and Freeman are at good player level at VFL standards. I hope these 5 players stay and get good game time in 2025. Casey needs to add 5-6 Coates League youngsters and ADD ex AFL listed players like Gary Rohan, Jai Culley & Cooper Vickery . 

Casey needs to be strong club and have a squad of players to supplement the AFL MFC list. 

Easy….salary cap.

AFL in 2024 allocated $110,000 as the cap for AFL aligned clubs, and $220,000 for non-aligned clubs.

In simple terms Casey would have about $5,000 to pay all of their players each game. ….about $300 each!!!

In the end the only ones who would play for that amount are players hoping to get noticed. When they don’t, then they head off to suburban leagues.

[spirit of norm smith 16,304]

1 hour ago, george_on_the_outer said:

Easy….salary cap.

AFL in 2024 allocated $110,000 as the cap for AFL aligned clubs, and $220,000 for non-aligned clubs.

In simple terms Casey would have about $5,000 to pay all of their players each game. ….about $300 each!!!

In the end the only ones who would play for that amount are players hoping to get noticed. When they don’t, then they head off to suburban leagues.

Non aligned clubs - $220,000!!! So with about 33-34 on their list, it’s $6500 per player for the season.  That’s unbelievable.  
No way for example that ex AFL player like say Jack Bytel signs at Coburg when SANFL, WAFL & bigger suburban /country clubs can offer up to $5000 per game !!  

Edited yesterday at 02:41 by spirit of norm smith
H

[Diamond_Jim 12,551]

1 hour ago, george_on_the_outer said:

Easy….salary cap.

AFL in 2024 allocated $110,000 as the cap for AFL aligned clubs, and $220,000 for non-aligned clubs.

In simple terms Casey would have about $5,000 to pay all of their players each game. ….about $300 each!!!

In the end the only ones who would play for that amount are players hoping to get noticed. When they don’t, then they head off to suburban leagues.

How to kill a comp... starve it of funds... give it a fixture from hell filled with byes.. zero publicity

Oh well

[Wilson7 2,663]

2 hours ago, Heart Beats True said:

Deakyn Smith isn’t playing for Casey next season. He’s signed on with Thomastown for 2025 as per the article linked in my prior post.

Local footy silly season is in full swing with more than 120 new recruits joining Northern league clubs, including ex-AFL talents.

DEAKYN SMITH (Thomastown)
Ex-AFL talent is heading to Main Street Reserve. Smith was selected by Melbourne as a supplemental selection in 2021. Won the Casey Demons’ best-and-fairest in 2023 but was delisted by the Demons. Spent 2024 at North Melbourne VFL, playing 13 matches, and Doveton in Southern Division 2, making eight appearances. Will return to Casey in 2025 and be aligned to the Bears when available for local footy.

[12345_54321 1,077]

3 hours ago, Heart Beats True said:

Deakyn Smith isn’t playing for Casey next season. He’s signed on with Thomastown for 2025 as per the article linked in my prior post.

Every VFL player has a local parent club. Playing VFL is their priority and they then play local when there is a bye or not selected.