8 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Good signs with some of our up and coming young players.

Mentha - great game, hit the scoreboard, ran hard and carried the footy when needed. Give him a full preseason working hard in the off season alongside Kozzie and I have no doubt he can play senior footy next year.

Kentfield - This guy is a brute. When he took that pack mark he literally left three Werribee players on the ground in pain. The huge upside with him is that he hasnt completed a AFL pre season to date. There is something definitely to work with here. Crazy that he's still only 19. I see a bit of Josh Treacy about him.

Culley - Liked his work, spent time inside and out and he was pretty classy and had poise as well.

Howes - Last time he plays VFL this year. He was a clear BOG.

Adams - Ready for AFL action. Just give him a chance Goody.

Verrall - He plays much better when hes the main number 1 ruckman. My only issues with him is he doesn't take marks around the ground. I think for him to step up, this is something he needs to do more around the ground. Other then that he was good tonight.

Forgot about Noah Yze.

Hes definitely improved a lot in the 12 months. Hes definitely got the sticky hands and I think he's well deserved of a rookie list spot.

There is something to work with on Yze and I believe coming back as a overage player for Oakleigh Chargers and doing a pre season with the Dees has really helped his development.

He looked solid last night and probably unlucky not to kick 4 considering they were relatively easy shots.

We could have an off season where a Yze and White join the Dees!

Edited Saturday at 20:395 days by dazzledavey36

8 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

We could have an off season where a Yze and White join the Dees!

And sadly a Brown and a Woewoden may be delisted??😢😢

STILL CONTENDERS by KC from Casey

The Casey Demons remain in contention for a VFL finals berth following a comprehensive 76-point victory over the Werribee Tigers at Whitten Oval last night. The caveat to the performance is that the once mighty Tigers have been raided of many key players and are now a shadow of the premiership-winning team from last season.

The team suffered a blow before the game when veteran Tom McDonald was withdrawn for senior duty to cover for Steven May who is ill.  However, after conceding the first goal of the game, Casey was dominant from ten minutes in until the very end and despite some early errors and inaccuracy, they managed to warm to the task of dismantling the Tigers with precision, particularly after half time when the nominally home side provided them with minimal resistance.

The experienced Jack Billings was in everything from the start to produce the stand out performance for his team as he amassed 30 disposals, seven marks, four clearances, also hitting the scoreboard with two goals. Likewise, former Brisbane Lion Harry Sharp booted two as he reacted to his omission from the Demons’ senior side with 23 touches, six tackles and six marks.

While Charlie Spargo and Bailey Laurie contributed to the team effort, the most pleasing aspect the perspective of the Melbourne-Casey partnership, was the form displayed by some of the younger players vying for senior positions.

Blake Howes made an outstanding return from the concussion he suffered on the Gold Coast a fortnight ago showing out with his athleticism on his way to a 26 disposal, 9 mark and 7 rebound 50s game. Jai Culley (26 touches, five tackles and five clearances) played possibly his best game since coming back from WA putting on a classy display in the midfield.

In the absence of Tom Campbell who was on standby for senior duty Will Verrall (19 disposals, 31 hitouts, eight clearances and a goal) underscored his improvement in the ruck while Kynan Brown and Taj Woewodin had 22 and 18 touches respectively.

A few other youngsters in Jed Adams, Luker Kentfield and Ricky Mentha jnr, while not as prominent also came under notice for their future potential. The livewire Mentha is coming along nicely and his three goals indicated that he will prove a real handful at senior level when his time comes.

For the second week in a row Mitch Hardie took on a starring role kicking four goals in the absence of the tall keys up forward. It could have been more but for a few misses but he kept the Tigers’ defenders on their toes for the whole night. Riley Bonner was his usual reliable self picking up 22 disposals and Noah Yze had some good moments although his kicking for goal was off target. He finished with just one goal from his four scoring attempts.

The team returns to Casey Fields next week for what could be a season defining game against Carlton VFL.

CASEY DEMONS 2.4.16 5.5.35 11.11.77 16.15.111

WERRIBEE 2.0.12 3.1.19 4.3.27 5.5.35

GOALS

CASEY DEMONS Hardie 4 Mentha 3 Billings Sharp 2 Ireland Kentfield Laurie Verrall Yze

WERRIBEE Wright 2 Dahlhaus GaronI Grintell

BEST

CASEY DEMONS Billings Hardie Verrall Sharp Culley Howes

WERRIBEE Brew Jeka Pinnuck Andrews Grintel Malual

We just need to find a spot for Howes in the AFL team for the rest of the year. He has gone passed this level and now needs AFL continuity. Put Rivers midfield permanently and free McVee to attack off half back and let him take Judds more defensive role. Otherwise move Salem mid/forward or to Casey. Alternately roll him through high half forward where he played as a junior.

Mentha, Kentfield and Adams are all very promising and will be in great shape with another preseason. Adams should be given a look in before years end for his development. I would persevere with Verrall for another year but he needs to improve his tank and find ways to add value when not at stoppage. I am worried he is too small to ruck next level.

Unfortunately the rest I am afraid are all passed their best or not up to it. Though I would not be against giving Mitch Hardie the last spot on our 2026 list even though he will be 28.

Edited Saturday at 22:315 days by Lil_red_fire_engine

Agree. Billings 👏👏was another player. Thats the best we’ve seen from him all year. He ran. He hit targets. He advanced the footy. He got forward to kick goals. Only 2-3 sideways kicks. Very very good.

Howes 👏👏is above this. He marked well. Intercepted. Good disposal. Like to see him back in v the Blues.

Mitch Hardie👏👏. If only he was on the list. Maybe we erred in picking Henderson over him. He definitely could play AFL. His skill and goalkicking smarts are perfect as a half forward. Issue now is his age. Still perhaps a chance at years end to get on a list imv.

24 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Agree. Billings 👏👏was another player. Thats the best we’ve seen from him all year. He ran. He hit targets. He advanced the footy. He got forward to kick goals. Only 2-3 sideways kicks. Very very good.

Howes 👏👏is above this. He marked well. Intercepted. Good disposal. Like to see him back in v the Blues.

Mitch Hardie👏👏. If only he was on the list. Maybe we erred in picking Henderson over him. He definitely could play AFL. His skill and goalkicking smarts are perfect as a half forward. Issue now is his age. Still perhaps a chance at years end to get on a list imv.

Re. Hardie, at 27yo, with 18 months with the Cats and a preseason with Melbourne, I think there must be something in his game that just won't translate to AFL. A shame for him, I feel sorry for the types that can never quite crack it above state level. It must be challenging.

I do agree that Henderson seems to be a mistake but I'm not sure Hardie would've played much more for us.

If we wanted to bring in mature midfielders next year I'd be going after someone like Dev Robertson.

1 hour ago, Lil_red_fire_engine said:

We just need to find a spot for Howes in the AFL team for the rest of the year. He has gone passed this level and now needs AFL continuity. Put Rivers midfield permanently and free McVee to attack off half back and let him take Judds more defensive role. Otherwise move Salem mid/forward or to Casey. Alternately roll him through high half forward where he played as a junior.

Agree with your thoughts on Howes. I thought he defended well, tackled strongly and intercepted everything. He controlled the backline (I'd like to see Adams do the same). My knock on Howes game was he didn't really do much with the footy after he won it. Sideways kicks or turnovers down the line. He came to the Dees with strong kicking skills and needs to add that polish to his game going forward.

11 hours ago, old dee said:

A full fit Spargo is nothing flash!

Apart from the fact he's our best inside 50 kick 50 by the length of the Flemington straight.

No matter, it's not as if our chronic inability to weight a kick to forward's advantage, let alone spot one up, bothers dees fans.

1 hour ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Agree. Billings 👏👏was another player. Thats the best we’ve seen from him all year. He ran. He hit targets. He advanced the footy. He got forward to kick goals. Only 2-3 sideways kicks. Very very good.

Howes 👏👏is above this. He marked well. Intercepted. Good disposal. Like to see him back in v the Blues.

Mitch Hardie👏👏. If only he was on the list. Maybe we erred in picking Henderson over him. He definitely could play AFL. His skill and goalkicking smarts are perfect as a half forward. Issue now is his age. Still perhaps a chance at years end to get on a list imv.

Of all the Werribee players taken by clubs in the last year or so, Henderson appears the most limited.

We had visitors so kept up with the game on DLand on my phone, however recorded the game and watched the second half later. What a great 2nd half of footy to watch, great team effort by the boys with standout performances by Billings, Howes, Adam’s, Verrall, Hardie, Culley and Mentha.

Casey have their collective fingertips on the precipice edge currently in the Top 10 of the unwieldy VFL competition. With Casey Fields no longer the bastion it once was Whitten Oval is now a happy hunting ground for the team. With the exception of the home team loss to the Bulldogs earlier in the season (Round 7).

Percentage wise the Demons are in the top five, but some inexplicable losses eg. last week's loss to the Coburg Lions, has them on the periphery of a finals berth. Losses at home have hurt this season against GWS and the Sharks.

Casey when they are on song play, an attractive attacking game style. When coach Taylor Whitford is able to meld the disparate elements, AFL listed players with VFL listed players, youth with age and experience. The team ethos shines through. After the higher profile performers exhibit their talent and skills there are other guys in support roles demonstrating team first.

From last evening's performance; Riley Baldi who appears to have been given a defensive role on the opposition prime movers. 15 disposals at 86.7% disposal efficiency, contested possessions 6, 2 clearances and a junk yard dog 10 tackles. Kynan Brown improved as the game went on, 24 disposals including 10 kicks and 14 hand passes, 9 contested possessions 8 score involvements and 6 tackles. Jai Culley 26 disposals 12 disposals 14 hand passes, contested possessions 12, 5 clearances. Bailey Laurie 15 disposals at 73.3%, 9 contested possessions, 10 tackles. Harry Sharp 23 disposals at 73.9% efficiency, 8 contested possessions, 6 tackles, 2 goals. Charlie Spargo 16 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 9 tackles.

Edited Sunday at 04:115 days by Tarax Club

Addendum:

Blake Howes played an excellent game leading the Casey defence. Especially when considering it was his first game back after concussion.

On 13/07/2025 at 09:49, Roger Mellie said:

Agree with your thoughts on Howes. I thought he defended well, tackled strongly and intercepted everything. He controlled the backline (I'd like to see Adams do the same). My knock on Howes game was he didn't really do much with the footy after he won it. Sideways kicks or turnovers down the line. He came to the Dees with strong kicking skills and needs to add that polish to his game going forward.

Having now watched the replay I was underwhelmed with Howes. He was good, especially for a return from concussion, but not exactly a cut above. Good work rate and positioning but the intercept marks were almost all uncontested and the ball use was overly safe.

We wonder why it takes until the 3rd quarter to break down Werribee or after half time to take care of North in the seniors and you can see that reflected in a player like Howes. Not sure he had a single kick that wasn’t down the line or sideways across the backline. And even if he doesn’t take the game on with kicking (which I understand to a degree because he’s not a reliable kick under pressure) he should run and carry the ball more.

Spargo was the best of the rest, should come back in to the side.

Mentha flashed some really high quality stuff. Kentfield played about a good of a 7d 1g game as you’ll see, he genuinely crashes packs, can’t wait for next year.

Adams was solid with ball in hand and he did make a number of nice spoils but it was more of a shut down defensive performance (on a good opponent) than the kind of complete game that would have him in line for afl footy. Some of that was probably role related as the only real tall defender. But overall he’s promising but not there yet.