13 minutes ago, picket fence said:

I get that but what are your parameters re selection integrity and players who perform well in the VFL! I take it then NO notice should be taken of todays game, is that correct?

You need to perform exemplary at VFL level to be considered at AFL Level ...surely ?

Given the level.of 'hardship' today those wishing to be considered ought to have excelled, not just 'done whatever' . Also it's not just about today it's showing form , improvement beyond the VFL norm. About understanding the game as it is at AFL level.

Seriously...who did that today ?

2 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

You need to perform exemplary at VFL level to be considered at AFL Level ...surely ?

Given the level.of 'hardship' today those wishing to be considered ought to have excelled, not just 'done whatever' . Also it's not just about today it's showing form , improvement beyond the VFL norm. About understanding the game as it is at AFL level.

Seriously...who did that today ?

Dunno I wasn't there!! But a host of players have for years been brought in on zero VFL form, and or loong layoffs which has become a Goodwin Specialty. Then players who have some form are overlooked time and again

So does VFL form mean Anything at all?

Obviously at Melbourne it means Jack Sheeeeit!

Edited May 24May 24 by picket fence

12 minutes ago, picket fence said:

So does VFL form mean Anything at all?

Probably the best question asked by anyone of late ....

16 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Probably the best question asked by anyone of late ....

And the answer then is a resounding NOOOO

1 hour ago, picket fence said:

Dunno I wasn't there!! But a host of players have for years been brought in on zero VFL form, and or loong layoffs which has become a Goodwin Specialty. Then players who have some form are overlooked time and again

So does VFL form mean Anything at all?

Obviously at Melbourne it means Jack Sheeeeit!

Goodwin Specialty is a good name for it - should be trademarked.

Coming back after a long injury

Haven't trained for 6 months

Didn't get a kick after half a game at Casey

Lacking touch & match fitness

Straight back into the firsts you go

It's worked well this year for Spargo, Jefferson, McVee, Tholstrup & Windsor.

I’m puzzled by one thing. According to the stats, Ollie Sestan went great guns in the first half and had 17 disposals at half time. However, he finished with only 22 for the game which points to a significant drop off in the second half.

Can anyone suggest a reason for this?

7 hours ago, DiscoStu17 said:

Jeff’s work in close is streets ahead. Cream has trouble changing from foot to hand, or left to right if he is crowded.

7 hours ago, Tarax Club said:

Coast to Coast text book movement.

Cream 2nd

Casey presses free kick now goal via 50 metre penalty to Jack Henderson

6 hours ago, Tarax Club said:

Cream puts cherry 🍒 on top.

Cream?? Is that JVR? If so, why?

1 hour ago, beelzebub said:

You need to perform exemplary at VFL level to be considered at AFL Level ...surely ?

Given the level.of 'hardship' today those wishing to be considered ought to have excelled, not just 'done whatever' . Also it's not just about today it's showing form , improvement beyond the VFL norm. About understanding the game as it is at AFL level.

Seriously...who did that today ?

My thinking is that the boys playing at Casey aren’t going to replace our best 15-18 players, it’s the bottom six players that are most at risk of replacement. The aim is to continue to upgrade the side if no one plays better than our bottom six they won’t get a run. You also have to take into account team rules, kpi’s, etc and we are not privy to those measures.

Just some perspective

Bullants are winless… are 0-8. Outright last.

They have copped huge floggings

Lost to the Bulldogs by 20 goals

Lost to the suns by 20 goals

Lost to VFL Port Melbourne by 100 points

Lost to VFL Pies by 75 points

A good win today and hopefully some players like JVR get more confidence, but honestly it was weak opposition and sub par

5 hours ago, beelzebub said:

Am I the only person not particularly impressed by Casey today ?

I'm not sure anyone was particularly impressed.

I haven't noticed anyone going over the top in regards to the performance.

On 23/05/2025 at 22:49, spirit of norm smith said:

And not playing at Casey. That’s managed.

I don’t think it is managed at all. He didn’t play at Casey because I believe T Mac will be first in today if there’s a late change. You don’t ‘manage’ a player and list him as emergency when you pretty much have a full squad to choose from.

That’s the way I see it.

ROAD KILL by KC from Casey

The Casey Demons travelled to a windy Cramer Street, Preston yesterday and blew the Northern Bullants off the ground for three quarters before shutting up shop in the final term, coasting to a much-needed 71-point victory after leading by almost 15 goals at one stage.

It was a pleasing performance that revived the Demons’ prospects for the 2025 season but, at the same time, very little can be taken from the game because of the weak opposition.

These days, the Bullants are little more than road kill. The once proud club, situated behind the Preston Market in a now culturally diverse area, is currently facing significant financial and on-field challenges, having failed to secure a win to date in 2025.

This particular match drew a modest crowd, and the atmosphere was markedly different from the club's heyday in the 1960s to 1980s, when the ground was consistently filled to capacity with enthusiastic local supporters. Recent affiliations with the Northern Knights and Carlton AFL have been met with discomfort, resulting in a substantial decline in the club's fortunes. Furthermore, a recent board upheaval led to the appointment of a new club president, who has pledged to implement changes, including a rebranding initiative that will see the club revert to its original name, the Preston Football Club, in 2026.

Against this backdrop, the Casey Demons arrived with a team of 16 AFL affiliated players and the remaining handful of VFL-listers in good form. They smelt blood and smashed the home side mercilessly starting in the ruck where Tom Campbell amassed 30 hitouts to go with his 23 disposals, nine clearances and a goal. He combined with rising understudy Will Verrall who managed 28 hitouts, 17 touches and nine clearances.

With that level of might in the boiler room, the on ball division couldn’t help but to fire up in a big way. For the Demons, Jack Billings led the way with 31 disposals, eight marks and a goal and Bailey Laurie managed 26 possessions and two goals. Taj Woewodin was also busy with 21 possessions and a goal while Kynan Brownpicked up 19 disposals and 4 tackles while Jack Henderson laid a game-high 10 tackles to go with his 15 touches of the football. Jai Culley was used sparingly as he was on standby as an emergency for the AFL team and only saw one half of the action, still getting his hands on the football ten times.

A trio of VFL listed players who have lifted the club all season in Riley Bonner, Mitch Hardie and Riley Baldi all stood out in Casey’s impressive victory with 34, 31 and 24 disposals respectively and they were joined by 19 year old Tyson Sruk from the Eastern Ranges Coates Talent League who impressed with 21 touches and a goal on debut.

But the big story of the day was the key forwards with Matt Jefferson starring with five goals on the strength of a much improved performance in the air and on the ground, capably assisted by Tom Fullarton with three goals and Jacob van Rooyen who booted two but impressed with his efforts around the forward line amassing 13 marks

Blake Howes and Oliver Sestan were also prominent and continued their impressive form of recent weeks as they wait on a call into AFL ranks. Jed Adams did some nice work in defence while Koltyn Tholstrup, Luker Kentfield and Ricky Mentha all contributed.

CASEY DEMONS 5.8.38 8.11.59 13.17.85 17.19.121

NORTHERN BULLANTS 0.2.2 1.4.10 1.5.11 7.8.50

GOALS

CASEY DEMONS Jefferson 5 Fullarton 3 Laurie van Rooyen 2 Billings Campbell Henderson Sruk Woewodin

NORTHERN BULLANTS Andrew Jorgensen 2 Mackie Schreiber Vellisaris

BEST

CASEY DEMONS Bonner Billings Campbell Hardie Jefferson van Rooyen

NORTHERN BULLANTS Hamilton Velissaris Andrew Mackie Coghlan Schreiber

Statistics

When watching Casey I look for both team system and individual brilliance. Moreover I look for players who can find time and space on their opponents. The latter is essential to AFL success.

There were flashes of all three yesterday but in the main it was sledgehammer tactics against a much weaker team. The first quarter with a stiff breeze was apposite. Shots on the run from beyond 50 and forwards leading to the pocket.

Our exits from the backline were slow and often indecisive. Handballs were rarely used to benefit open players.

In respect of the forwards. Sure they took marks against a beleaguered opposition but how many were taken by smart leads and running patterns that saw them make a break on their opponent. It's those skills that you need at AFL level as the defender will be miles better.

That being said it was an enjoyable day on the grass verges watching youngsters playing gleefully in the waning Autumn sun.

11 hours ago, monoccular said:

Cream?? Is that JVR? If so, why?

Sorry M, Cream (Full-cream) is Fullarton.

I think it’s got something to do with him being a smooth mover.

13 hours ago, beelzebub said:

You need to perform exemplary at VFL level to be considered at AFL Level ...surely ?

Given the level.of 'hardship' today those wishing to be considered ought to have excelled, not just 'done whatever' . Also it's not just about today it's showing form , improvement beyond the VFL norm. About understanding the game as it is at AFL level.

Seriously...who did that today ?

1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

When watching Casey I look for both team system and individual brilliance. Moreover I look for players who can find time and space on their opponents. The latter is essential to AFL success.

There were flashes of all three yesterday but in the main it was sledgehammer tactics against a much weaker team. The first quarter with a stiff breeze was apposite. Shots on the run from beyond 50 and forwards leading to the pocket.

Our exits from the backline were slow and often indecisive. Handballs were rarely used to benefit open players.

In respect of the forwards. Sure they took marks against a beleaguered opposition but how many were taken by smart leads and running patterns that saw them make a break on their opponent. It's those skills that you need at AFL level as the defender will be miles better.

That being said it was an enjoyable day on the grass verges watching youngsters playing gleefully in the waning Autumn sun.

DJ any game were you win by a large margin is a good time!

Really pleasing JVR took 13 marks. Not concerned about a week opposition. I was seriously wondering if he needed latzer surgery on his eyes (I think Neitz did late in his career) because he was missing marks that he was getting perfectly positioned for. Now it seems it's just a confidence thing.

1 minute ago, Wrecker45 said:

Really pleasing JVR took 13 marks. Not concerned about a week opposition. I was seriously wondering if he needed latzer surgery on his eyes (I think Neitz did late in his career) because he was missing marks that he was getting perfectly positioned for. Now it seems it's just a confidence thing.

Preston are not really a vfl standard side. I don’t believe we can learn anything from playing well against them. The week before was a better test and they played poorly. Jefferson JVR and company are still a long way short of the mark.

How did Tholstrup play, and is Laurie playing well enough for a few games at AFL level before seasons end?

2 hours ago, DiscoStu17 said:

Sorry M, Cream (Full-cream) is Fullarton.

I think it’s got something to do with him being a smooth mover.

I had always assume ld it was Cream, short for Full Cream because his name is FULLarton?

32 minutes ago, Billy said:

How did Tholstrup play, and is Laurie playing well enough for a few games at AFL level before seasons end?

from what i saw, tholstrup was not involved that much and laurie would need an injury crisis to get a go, as he's an inside mid who is not quick nor particularly skilled

The VFL is a joke of a competition, you can't take games like this seriously.

I rode to this game with my youngest and we had a great time of it. Excellent match day experience, the seniors should take notice. You dont need someone running against an LED display, just a kick on the ground and some very reasonably priced chips from the canteen. Saying "gday" to some of the players and staff really made the youngsters day too. I reckon an auskick session or two wouldn't have been out of place.

As for the game, as has been mentioned throughout this thread, the Bullants are nowhere near the level of the AFL-aligned sides. The AFL really needs to do something about the VFL to make it a league that improves the level of footy, as well as fan interaction.

The Casey players were able to break tackles, out run and out mark their opposition consistently. The Bullants talls were all shorter and obviously not as strong as the Casey equivalents.

As a consequence it is hard to judge performance, though I think intent still goes a long way. Campbell and Sestan were dominant in the first half. It seemed like Verrell was given more of a chance after half time and did well, though he was much bigger and stronger than his opposition. I saw Goody, Chocco and a few others have a quiet word to Sestan at half time, after which he quietened down. Could be up for selection?

The poor backline barely saw it, you would think it'd be a great opportunity for them to have a go in the middle or up forward.

For the forwards, I was impressed by JVRs intent, second efforts, voice and aggressiveness. He certainly seemed to want to prove himself.

Jefferson also attacked the ball and contest better than I have seen, and could have finished with 7 or 8. His kicking style is actually really good, which makes him a stand out.

Fullarton absolutely shirked a few contests. He could really dominate if he was more aggressive. If you're not going to do it against a bunch of part-timers, you probably never will.

The small forwards came and went from the game, all contributed some nice things, but drifted in and out. Laurie probably should have kicked better to give himself any chance.

The midfield was largely dominated by non-AFL players, though Brown did work his way into the game and did some nice things. Woey too to a lesser extent. Billings dominated and looked silky. That being said, pretty poor opposition.

Who would I look to promote from this? Depends on how the 1s go today, but Sestan and JVR showed a lot.

In all, a great afternoon out but very little to be taken from this game. The AFL really should look into this.

Looking at the stats from the game

Our AFL players relaxed of did SFA

Does that mean instant inclusion in the ones next week ?

21 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

adams a nice contested intercept mark but his disposal is iffy at best

I think Adams is a beautiful kick.

Edited May 25May 25 by Jumping Jack Clennett
Typo

On 24/05/2025 at 15:17, Tarax Club said:

Bullants first goal 2nd qt 27 min in.

Siren beats 2nd.

Alan Joyce as Captain Coach. Phil Gibbs calling the games on Channel O.

Phil Gibbs + Ted Henrys ?