This is the time of year when VFL clubs start preparing in earnest for the upcoming season. With the AFL Trade and Free Agency period now over, all VFL clubs will be seeking to improve their lists in preparation for the upcoming season and the Casey Demons are no different.

Casey has recently announced the appointment of Rhett McLennan as the new VFL Senior Coach for the 2026 season, replacing Taylor Whitford, who has been elevated to Melbourne's Head of Development. McLennan brings 23 years of coaching experience to the role, having spent the past six seasons as coach of the Coates League team, Gippsland Power.

This thread is the place for news about the Casey Demons in the offseason of 2025/6.

Paul Amy has reported on X that Casey's Riley Baldi is off to the SANFL.

“That's a heavy blow for the Demons: he had a damn good comeback season for them. Played 20 matches, averaged 19.1 disposals, hunted collisions. He's a gun”.

3 hours ago, KC from Casey said:

Paul Amy has reported on X that Casey's Riley Baldi is off to the SANFL.

“That's a heavy blow for the Demons: he had a damn good comeback season for them. Played 20 matches, averaged 19.1 disposals, hunted collisions. He's a gun”.

Best chance of getting to the afl probably

Be interesting to see how he goes there

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

What’s Stanley like ? Never heard of him

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

According to the article:-

Casey Demons have farewelled midfielder Riley Baldi to South Adelaide but are believed to be targeting Box Hill Hawks wingman Ethan Stanley and delisted Kangaroo Miller Bergman.

Bergman, who played 16 AFL games for North Melbourne after being recruited from Dandenong Stingrays, has aligned himself with Berwick in local football.

Stanley returned to Box Hill this after playing two AFL games with Fremantle.

Meanwhile, the Sandringham Zebras have eyes on Casey's Jack Ferraro, who starred at local level with Dingley in the Southern league this year.

Stanley is a 188 cm, 81 kg midfielder who was on the Dockers’ list in 2023 and 2024.

Bergman is a 189 cm, 73 kg defender who was at North Melbourne from 2022–2025 and played 16 games during that period.

13 minutes ago, KC from Casey said:

Bergman is a 189 cm, 73 kg

Wow. That's very skinny for a bloke that tall.

Bergman and Stanley would not only be handy recruits for our VFL team but would also provide solid depth and development for our young kids coming through the system.

bergman had lots of major injuries in his time at NM never got a good run at it

2 hours ago, Turner said:

bergman had lots of major injuries in his time at NM never got a good run at it

Agree. If he gets an injury free run, he will be a good addition at Casey

I’ll try to do the Casey side and see how close I get.

B: Smith, May, Adams

HB: Bergman, McDonald, Bonner

C: Stanley, Laurie, Howes

HF: Hardie, Johnson, Henderson

F: Cross, Kentfield, Jefferson

FOLL: Campbell, ?, ?

IC: Heath, Sharp, Mentha, Berry, Yze

He showed plenty in limited games and it’s good that he will get more of a run at Sandringham. Still one youngster to watch for the Dees in the future

Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott, Sandringham

A premiership player with Sandringham Dragons in 2024, speedy small defender Kirkwood-Scott spent 2025 with Casey Demons, playing eight games for a finals team. In between he played for Old Haileybury in the VAFA under new Sandy coach Daniel Ward. Zebras CEO Mark Wheeler is also aware of Kirkwood-Scott’s ability, having put him on the books at the Dragons.

Ollie Sestan expected to land at Port Melbourne in 2026.