JVR played well as against last week. And so he should at this level. Jefferson again less than average. He struggles even at this level, will fade away in the next couple of years just isn't a AFL talent.

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Jefferson is so far behind AFL level. AJ had a monster game as a forward and could have easily kicked 6 or 7 goals. He's way ahead of Jefferdon that it's now starting to become a real worry on whethwr he'llmake it or not. He genuine just lacks intensity compared to AJ who really stamped his authority with his physical presence and marking.

Bonner is way too good for this level.

Loved Kynan Browns game. Would prefer him to bloody Harry Sharp who's an absolute crab.

Kentfield is worth keeping a close eye on this new position change down in defence. He certainly looks so much more comfortable down back then forward.

Adams is also close to a debut game as is Sestan.

Mentha certainly has talent but is raw still. Reminds me so much of Toby Brdford in his first year at AFL level where he showed so much glimpses but just needed that full year of professional development.

Mitch Hardie was also very solid.

Coached Luker in development squads and played him at CHB a fair bit. Reads it well and always attacked the contest with intensity. When he played at CHF or FF always hit contests hard and really good with follow up efforts.

Concerning about Jeffo as intensity is a difficult trait to ingrain within a player long term if it’s not in their DNA

12 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Coached Luker in development squads and played him at CHB a fair bit. Reads it well and always attacked the contest with intensity. When he played at CHF or FF always hit contests hard and really good with follow up efforts.

Concerning about Jeffo as intensity is a difficult trait to ingrain within a player long term if it’s not in their DNA

i think that's why they've tried el jefe as a defender, just to get him to bring some level of intensity into the contest

it just doesn't happen

2 hours ago, Disco InTurno said:

Uh oh you’re about to get yelled at for this in ALL CAPS

DISBELIEVER!!

1 hour ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Coached Luker in development squads and played him at CHB a fair bit. Reads it well and always attacked the contest with intensity. When he played at CHF or FF always hit contests hard and really good with follow up efforts.

Concerning about Jeffo as intensity is a difficult trait to ingrain within a player long term if it’s not in their DNA

Do you think he'll make it???

Watched the replay this arvo.

There weren’t too many missing for the Tigers.

We had more players wanting to apply pressure than they did.

When we won the ball, apart from a few times, we shared it with our teammates.

It was a bit like the AFL side last week.

It was far from perfect, but the more they shared it the more potent it looked.

It would be nice to see a repeat effort tonight.

3 hours ago, samcantstandya said:

Do you think he'll make it???

He won’t die wondering, has natural hardness and the right intensity and attitude which some other more talented players lack

Sandringham is prickly as we know.

Saints want to change the arrangement.

Interesting info on costs. Only $50k more to field a stand alone AFL reserve team

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/wouldn-t-be-doing-the-right-thing-why-the-saints-could-split-from-their-vfl-team-20250424-p5lu12.html

A split would have financial ramifications for both the Saints and the Zebras, though both clubs say they have the money to field their own VFL teams.

The Saints – who received $26.1 million in AFL funding in 2024, behind only North Melbourne among Victorian clubs – say it would cost an additional $50,000 to run their own VFL team.

RARITY by KC from Casey

The match up of teams competing in our great Aussie game at its second highest level is a rarity for a work day Thursday morning but the blustery conditions that met the players at a windswept Casey Fields was something far more commonplace.

They turned the opening stanza between the Casey Demons and a somewhat depleted Richmond VFL into a mess of fumbling unforced errors, spilt marks and wasted opportunities for both sides but they did set up a significant win for the home team which is exactly what transpired on this Anzac Day round opener.

Casey opened up strong against the breeze with the first goal to Aidan Johnson, the Tigers quickly responded and the game degenerated into a defensive slog and the teams were level when the first siren sounded.

The Demons kicked four straight when their time with the wind came while the Tigers barely troubled the scorer and the progression continued after half time with Casey handing out Richmond’s biggest defeat in the current form of competition.

By the end, it seemed as if it was a training drill against witches hats but it was hard to believe the opposition won their first three outings and looked the winner at the final break last week while Casey had succumbed by nine goals on this ground five days ago.

First and foremost, the win was a triumph for the recruitment efforts of the Casey Demons with the top possession winners, Riley Bonner (44), Mitch Hardie (34) both lured from AFL clubs and Riley Baldi (32 and equal third with Bailey Laurie) back from a stint in the bush, all outstanding from go to whoa. Bonner had 28 touches at half time and looked to be on world record pace. Hardie was also outstanding and kicked three goals in the second half while Baldi’s work rate set an impressive example for his team mates.

Last year, the club was crying out for exactly this sort of talent and for this game, they were accompanied by a couple of VFL premiership players in Melbourne listers Jack Henderson and Johnson who kicked five goals between them. The latter was somewhat off target kicking three goals from his eight shots at goal but was a prominent feature in a forward line that produced an impressive inside 50 count of 64 to 26.

Paddy Cross was another VFL lister who stood out. He chimed in for a couple of majors at the end.

Another big inclusion has been journeyman ruckman Tom Campbell, now at his fourth AFL club who shone in the ruck with 17 touches, 20 hit outs and a goal in his 150th VFL game. He is also doing great things mentoring Will Verrall who is increasing in confidence and form on a weekly basis.

And on that note, some big news for Melbourne fans and that is the first signs of a return to form and renewed confidence in key forward Jacob van Rooyen who became the team’s third player to kick five goals in a match which is a sure-fire sign that selection at AFL level is imminent.

After a shaky start in the blustery conditions, the blond key tall took command of proceedings in the second term with three goals showing great mastery in the air and with his kicking skills, adding another two in the third quarter. He was robbed of a third by an off the ball indiscretion from Laurie who could be forgiven for that because he otherwise played well and added a couple of goals of his own at the end.

Taj Woewodin (28 possessions, 7 tackles) and Kynan Brown (24,5) also had excellent days out with the latter putting in an excellent third quarter performance. Jack Billings and Jai Culley were solid contributors.

Casey had the luxury of 16 AFL listers at its disposal with Blake Howes participating only in the first half for 13 touches before heading back to town to fulfill an emergency role for the AFL team.

Although, a one-sided game of this nature would not necessarily highlight big performances from defenders, there were some real positives to take out of the match with a couple of youngsters in Jed Adams and Ollie Sestan finally showing that they have grown into their roles of senior level football and are ready to take the next step up. Matt Jefferson and Luker Kentfield are a few steps behind them but it’s still very much a learning process for them and for the lightly built Rick Mentha Jr.

The only disappointment that the 118 point win brought was that for the second time in a month, the team goes into recess for another bye next weekend.

This element is a rarity for most serious sporting competitions and can hardly be conducive to maintaining team cohesion and momentum.

CASEY DEMONS 1.2.8 5.8.38 12.11.83 21.17.143

RICHMOND VFL 1.2.8 1.3.9 2.6.18 3.7.25

GOALS

CASEY DEMONS van Rooyen 5, Hardie, Johnson 3, Cross, Henderson, Laurie 2, Brown, Campbell, Jefferson, Verrall

RICHMOND VFL Colina, Hayes-Brown, Raso

BEST

CASEY DEMONS Bonner van Rooyen Hardie Baldi Laurie Brown

RICHMOND VFL El nour Smith McCarthy Smillie McAuliffe Wilson

Edited April 25Apr 25 by Demonland
Autocorrect

30 minutes ago, Demonland said:

RARITY by KC from Casey

After a shaky start in the blustery conditions, the blind key tall took command of proceedings in the second term with three goals showing great mastery in the air and with his kicking skills, adding another two in the third quarter.

In the traditional of the great blues artists of a bygone time. Blind Willie McTell, Sonny Terry and the Reverend Gary Davis. The performance of Jacob Van Rooyen was truly remarkable given his reported disability.

Given the dismissive vitriol another young forward received post game. He may unfairly receive the unwelcome epithet ***** Lemon Jefferson.

Edited April 25Apr 25 by Tarax Club
typo check edit

Edited April 25Apr 25 by Tarax Club

https://www.instagram.com/p/DI0XdtyvOV7/?img_index=1&igsh=MTNmMHlyMTN2MzByZA==

28 minutes ago, Tarax Club said:

Corrected and got you covered -

18 hours ago, Pennant St Dee said:


Coached Luker in development squads and played him at CHB a fair bit. Reads it well and always attacked the contest with intensity. When he played at CHF or FF always hit contests hard and really good with follow up efforts.
Concerning about Jeffo as intensity is a difficult trait to ingrain within a player long-term if it’s not in their DNA

I like Luker, and with some proper coaching, he could be something he has the first ingredient as a competitor a bit of c... in him he also has a good football brain but it will all come down to coaching the same with JVR and fixing his hand and arms position when the ball comes in hard and fast so he marks with one grab.

18 hours ago, Pennant St Dee said:

He won’t die wondering, has natural hardness and the right intensity and attitude which some other more talented players lack

With May and T Mc heading towards the sunset of their careers there would not be a better time for a young tall to get a season or 2 as a KPD at Casey.