2 hours ago, Bowserpower said:

if you don't like others opinions then don't read

Not liking others' opinions is in itself an opinion ... which as you're pointing out, everyone is entitled to.

6 hours ago, Bowserpower said:

You tend to make these kinds of comments a lot and time them so they get the reactions but never add anything of substance to the discussion and put others down for simply having an opinion. I've seen it multiple times now.

. I know this won't be popular as this place is popularity driven rather than merit but if you don't like others opinions then don't read.

I tend to not make uneducated opinions based on nothing but my own frustrations and failures to become a successful footballers like some on this site. I also don’t suffer from small d!(k energy and feel the need to big note myself and my thoughts.

I know that Whitford comes highly regarded within the industry, and I don’t feel the need to take a dump on someone who hasn’t even started in their role.

If there is evidence to suggest that he’s not a good choice for the role, I’d be happy to share my opinion which are based on facts, rather than speculation.

Perhaps the reaction to my post suggests that most posters on this site are sick and tired of the same few making the same old tired arguments that everything we do is wrong, without a shred of evidence.

How’s that for an opinion?

4 hours ago, bing181 said:

Not liking others' opinions is in itself an opinion ... which as you're pointing out, everyone is entitled to.

Do it respectfully, not to win popularity contests.

Sounds like some folk think he is a Diversity Hire eh? 😉

Edited yesterday at 22:111 day by Engorged Onion

18 hours ago, poita said:

Interesting choice given that Casey's success seemed to be predominantly due to the performances of the older players.

We really didn't see much development from the likes of Laurie, Howes, Woewodin, Adams and Jefferson at Casey this year, to say nothing of Brown, Sestan and Verrall being delisted.

Well, he was Casey coach, not development coach.

I've got no problem with the reassignment, except I'd seen all the recent hype about super-developer Nigel Lappin at Geelong and had thought he might be a chance.

Or maybe Lappin is ready for a return to midfield?

3 hours ago, Jaded No More said:

I tend to not make uneducated opinions based on nothing but my own frustrations and failures to become a successful footballers like some on this site. I also don’t suffer from small d!(k energy and feel the need to big note myself and my thoughts.

Beware the failed AFL aspirant. Bitterness and envy become weapons.

Beware those rocking up to this site with their measuring tapes. Someone has to pay for the fact that 99% of their measuring tape is never needed.

Beware former posters who come back in another incarnation and continue on their merry way to cutting someone down to compensate for their own failings/shortcomings/sch!ttty existence.

Anyways, you’re right about Taylor… he is highly regarded by his peers and that’s a resounding endorsement.

You’re also spot on with the DL trend of sch!tt-canning someone new, not just on their first day, but before they even walk through the door.

In summary, jealousy’s a big ol’ b!attchh

The coaching world isn't big - they all know a lot about each other and if they don't they know who to ask. King would have had a big say in Whitford's promotion.

He has a very good CV.

Lets back them in!

One of my favourite things about Demonland is the posters who know absolutely nothing about a bloke beyond he coached Casey instantly and baselessly writing him off straight away.

It's like they live their lives munching on sour grapes.

Im surprised by Whitford being the development coach, mainly because I thought King may have brought some of his own selections in. At the end of last season he worked with the forward line when Goody left and Chaplin went to the head. He must have impressed them. He will give the young one's some stability, and brings continuity, which will help the relationship between King and the younger players.

Edited 20 hours ago20 hr by Kev

19 hours ago, KozzyCan said:

Seems like more than anything moving on Chocco was a money saving exercise.

Is there any evidence Chocco was highly paid? He was coaching Ajax in the VAFA and Werribee before we gave him another go in the afl system.

I think it’s time for a fresh approach to our development and also a realignment between Casey’s goals and development. Hopefully our young guys keep playing in key roles and playing the right brand of footy as they did in the back end of this season.

I find the views people have on coaches / assistant coaches fascinating. Mark Williams has clearly had an enormous impact on the MFC. I've heard about some of his kooky ideas and I'm sure his experience, passion and out of the box thinking played a big role in the '21 flag. But he has also been responsible for development and goal kicking which clearly has not been where it needed to be the last few years. Is this his fault? I have no idea - it could be. But equally it might have had more to do with the culture / environment, the fitness levels, the club psychologists etc etc

We don't really know who is responsible for what and even if we did, it normally takes the whole football department wokring in sync to see the fruits on the individuals labour.

So I find it amusing that posters will say that we won the flag because of Yze and Williams but the disappointments afterwards were all Goody's fault. Surely they all share in the successes and failures. I'm not saying some coaches aren't better than others... but many on here seem to want to reduce people to saviours or sinners when people are often both. A big name / profile doesn't necessarily mean they will be good at the role.

So if Whitford is highly regarded internally and in the industry, then that's good enough for me.

20 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Is there any evidence Chocco was highly paid? He was coaching Ajax in the VAFA and Werribee before we gave him another go in the afl system.

I think it’s time for a fresh approach to our development and also a realignment between Casey’s goals and development. Hopefully our young guys keep playing in key roles and playing the right brand of footy as they did in the back end of this season.

Headline a bit clickbaity but important bit is here:

Williams is understood to have been one of the highest-paid development coaches in the league, backed by a track record of success in his roles at Port, Richmond and Melbourne.

7NEWS

‘Rudderless’ Melbourne in shock backflip after unpopular...

‘He’s too good a person to see just walk out of the club.’

4 hours ago, Bowserpower said:

Do it respectfully, not to win popularity contests.

I can't help being popular, Bowser.

1 minute ago, Adam The God said:

I can't help being popular, Bowser.

As popular as you are Adam (and rightly so!), you’ll never be on this person’s hit list, for you don’t have the right ‘plumbing.’ for want of a less crass term 😁

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/09/24/afl-2025-darren-burgess-joins-juventus-leaves-adelaide-crows

We won't be getting Burgess back any time soon. Good news is - no else will either. Back to the soccer world for him.

Edited 18 hours ago18 hr by Sideshow Bob
.

1 hour ago, KozzyCan said:

Headline a bit clickbaity but important bit is here:

Fair enough, just the one report but I’ll assume it has some merit. He probably signed an upgraded new contract after 2021 but he was out of contract now so they could’ve negotiated a lower offer. The fact there’s no one linked to him so far shows he’s hardly in high demand.

I'm not sure how many Casey games some Demonlanders watched, but there was definite improvement in some of the playing list, just not from some our father-sons and other MFC listed players. Surely the Casey coach had some hand in this.

However, I am 50/50 about his appointment as development coach only because I know nothing about the process of hiring him. Seems a bit strange if the club has employed him without Steven King being on board, but we have no indication of anything regarding this yet.

Has there been any credible recent intel about who we might pick up as assistant coaches?

On 24/09/2025 at 21:02, Ghostwriter said:

Great appointment! Taylor is professional, he commands respect and he communicates really well with the players. And it should please some folks on here to know that he’s not afraid to give a spray.

With big changes in personnel it’s important for the players to have some familiar faces around, if possible. Cub (yes, that’s his nickname) works well with Selwyn, too

I think he’ll nail this!

Well said Ghosty and he was Casey Senior Coach - not the AFL players Development coach. Tough gig coaching at VFL level - so many competing interests.

8 hours ago, Sideshow Bob said:

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/09/24/afl-2025-darren-burgess-joins-juventus-leaves-adelaide-crows

We won't be getting Burgess back any time soon. Good news is - no else will either. Back to the soccer world for him.

Whatever one's thoughts are about Mr Burgess, he is a marvellous marketer of his credentials. The grass doesn't grow under his feet.

15 hours ago, Jaded No More said:

I tend to not make uneducated opinions based on nothing but my own frustrations and failures to become a successful footballers like some on this site. I also don’t suffer from small d!(k energy and feel the need to big note myself and my thoughts.

I know that Whitford comes highly regarded within the industry, and I don’t feel the need to take a dump on someone who hasn’t even started in their role.

If there is evidence to suggest that he’s not a good choice for the role, I’d be happy to share my opinion which are based on facts, rather than speculation.

Perhaps the reaction to my post suggests that most posters on this site are sick and tired of the same few making the same old tired arguments that everything we do is wrong, without a shred of evidence.

How’s that for an opinion?

Comes with a fabulous 'winning' background CV.

He made something out of not alot at Casey this season imho and had them playing a cohesive brand of high pressure, slick rebound, gut running (running in support and waves) overlap sling shot footy on the transition that gave forwards plenty of decent looks.

The results, mostly in the second half of the season, were there. The improvement from most, especially in a 'team' sense, was very evident.

Not many in the industry, including many commentators, expected Casey to make finals let alone win a final.

Most had Casey as a wild card at best.

While i'm not saying he's the messiah nor necessarily the ideal person for this particular role (as i would have no idea) he does come in with solid cred and hopefully those traits will also continue on in this role.

My only reservation here is that i felt that he was just starting to hum at Casey and it was potentially on the cusp of having a very special year in 2026. Possibly a GF and who knows from there.

We will never know now as he's lost to the AFL circus. No doubt a great outcome for him but maybe potentially a bit of a blow for Casey's prospects in the short term?