Saturday, March 7

Casey Demons vs Box Hill Hawks (Casey Fields, 11:30am)

This will hopefully be a better test for the Casey Demons than last week's game when a number of Casey regulars and a few MFC players who were expected to play were either left out or played limited minutes against Richmond.

The timing is difficult for me this weekend but I will try to keep Demonlanders updated during the game.

Thanks KC. Had a quick chat with the Casey coach on Monday night. Unfortunately, because Hawthorn are playing in Opening Round, and even though Saturday's hitout is only a practice match, the AFL have determined that we apparently are not allowed to play AFL listed players against Box Hill who would otherwise may have played if the seniors were playing this weekend. For example, even though they may defintiely need this sort of hitout, and might not make our Round 1 team, that may mean that Tom Matthews and Xavier Taylor (who were both in our selected 26 last Friday) may not be able to play on Saturday - hopefully common sense prevails. Any idea when Casey might issue a team list and please some names and numbers that we can follow....

1 hour ago, Harvey Wallbanger said:

the AFL have determined that we apparently are not allowed to play AFL listed players against Box Hill who would otherwise may have played if the seniors were playing this weekend.

Madness but what else do we expect in the VFL

A friend who was at Casey today was told that at 8am on Saturday, before the Casey practice match, our seniors are playing an intraclub match. I don’t think this sounds right, though. But they are training there beginning at 8am.

9 hours ago, Harvey Wallbanger said:

Thanks KC. Had a quick chat with the Casey coach on Monday night. Unfortunately, because Hawthorn are playing in Opening Round, and even though Saturday's hitout is only a practice match, the AFL have determined that we apparently are not allowed to play AFL listed players against Box Hill who would otherwise may have played if the seniors were playing this weekend. For example, even though they may defintiely need this sort of hitout, and might not make our Round 1 team, that may mean that Tom Matthews and Xavier Taylor (who were both in our selected 26 last Friday) may not be able to play on Saturday - hopefully common sense prevails. Any idea when Casey might issue a team list and please some names and numbers that we can follow....

The updated Casey list for 2026 with player numbers to follow soon:-

Tairon Ah-Mu (Dandenong Stingrays, MFC NGA)

Miller Bergman (North Melbourne),

Riley Bonner *

Braedyn Bowden (Berwick)

Lachie Bryce *

Luke Cheffers (Moe)

Jesse Craven *

Luis D'Angelo (Traralgon)

Tahj De La Rue (Dandenong Stingrays)

Jehi Esler (Tooradin-Dalmore)

Jarrod Gatt *

Olliver Green *

Xavier Hampton (West Adelaide)

Louis Hodder (Dandenong Stingrays)

Sam Hoghton (Officer)

Marcus Krasnadamskis (Eastern Ranges)

Brayden La Planche *

Luamon Lual (Essendon)

Wardell Lual *

Nate Pipicelli (Nar Nar Goon)

Clancy Pope (Nar Nar Goon)

Jasper Russell (Dandenong Stingrays)

Jobe Scapin (Inverloch-Kongwak)

Joel Scholtes (Traralgon)

Toby Sinnema (Dandenong Stingrays, MFC NGA)

Deakyn Smith *

Tyson Sruk *

Ethan Stanley (Box Hill Hawks)

Harry Tatterson (Heyfield)

Jonah Walker (Gippsland Falcons)

* existing player

CASEY DEMONS 2026 Playing List
Jumper No.	First Name	Surname	DOB	Height	Community Club	VFL Games
46	Jehi	Esler	13.5.05	198	Tooradin	0
48	Braedyn	Bowden	5.2.04	195	Berwick	0
49	Jonah	Walker	16.6.07	193	Bairnsdale	0
50	Tairon	Ah-Mu	6.6.07	199	Vermont	0
51	Sam	Hoghton	16.8.04	188	ROC	0
52	Riley	Bonner	7.3.97	191	Cheltenham	22
53	Tyson	Sruk	24.8.05	182	Rowville	8
54	Deakyn	Smith	22.8.02	182	South Belgrave	76
55	Miller	Bergman	25.1.03	189	Berwick	27
56	Luis	D'Angelo	19.3.02	184	Tralagon	4
57	Joel	Scholtes	21.6.04	187	Tralgon	0
58	Luamon	Lual	28.3.05	184	Sth Warnambool	25
59	Jasper	Russell	10.1.07	178	Old Haileybury	0
60	Louis	Hodder	27.6.07	176	Mt Eliza	0
61	Toby	Sinnema	11.12.07	180	Devon Meadows	1
62	Clancy	Pope	19.1.07	184	Nar Nar Goon	0
63	Harry	Tatterson	27.9.07	180	Hayfield	0
64	Ethan	Stanley	13.11.03	189	Frankston YCW	27
65	Marcus	Krasnadamskis	18.6.07	202	Wandin	0
66	Jobe	Scapin	1.5.07	188	Inverloch K'wak	0
68	Brayden	Laplanche	30.11.05	190	Montrose	5
69	Oliver	Green	5.10.06	174	Parkdale Vultures	1
70	Nate	Pipicelli	25.5.04	195	Nar Nar Goon	0
71	Tahj	Delarue	20.5.06	183	Berwick	0
72	Luke	Cheffers	5.9.07	188	Officer	0
73	Lachlan	Bryce	17.11.03	191	Frankston YCW	8
74	Wardell	Lual	17.11.98	191	Tooradin	52
75	Jesse	Craven	21.4.05	178	Tooradin	11
76	Jarrod	Gatt	9.10.03	184	Pines	1
77	Xavier	Hampton	18.11.02	190	Fitzroy Stars	0

Thanks very much for this KC - I understand Deakyn Smith still working his way back from injury?

22 hours ago, Harvey Wallbanger said:

Thanks KC. Had a quick chat with the Casey coach on Monday night. Unfortunately, because Hawthorn are playing in Opening Round, and even though Saturday's hitout is only a practice match, the AFL have determined that we apparently are not allowed to play AFL listed players against Box Hill who would otherwise may have played if the seniors were playing this weekend. For example, even though they may defintiely need this sort of hitout, and might not make our Round 1 team, that may mean that Tom Matthews and Xavier Taylor (who were both in our selected 26 last Friday) may not be able to play on Saturday - hopefully common sense prevails. Any idea when Casey might issue a team list and please some names and numbers that we can follow....

I accept that we're talking about the VFL competition which thrives on nonsense but the idea that AFL listed players can't play in tomorrow's game even though they might be on the fringe of selection or coming back after injury, is simply nonsensical. In Melbourne's case, we are already at a disadvantage in our preparation for Round 1 given that our opponent will have had a full hit out on the MCG against Collingwood this Sunday, this ban would further upset our preparation. A practice match against the Hawks' VFL team isn't for points or sheep stations. These ultra bureacratic administrators need to back off.

8 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

A practice match against the Hawks' VFL team isn't for points or sheep stations. These ultra bureacratic administrators need to back off.

If I was a cynical person I might come to the conclusion that certain people at AFL HQ are trying to give the Saints a leg up.

That’s ridiculous stopping our players from participating. Saints 1st play this weekend ahead of our firsts. Then they play their second game when we play our first. I believe that gives them an advantage. It’s evens out over the season but not the first and second games.

Agree it's nonsense.

Forever and a day, clubs used the weekend between the AAMI Community practice match and round 1 to have their underdone players play in the VFL to give them a shot at senior selection for round 1.

It's as if someone out there wants St Kilda to be completely match hardened and Melbourne to be rusty as can be for round 1.

5 hours ago, KC from Casey said:

CASEY DEMONS 2026 Playing List
Jumper No.	First Name	Surname	DOB	Height	Community Club	VFL Games
46	Jehi	Esler	13.5.05	198	Tooradin	0
48	Braedyn	Bowden	5.2.04	195	Berwick	0
49	Jonah	Walker	16.6.07	193	Bairnsdale	0
50	Tairon	Ah-Mu	6.6.07	199	Vermont	0
51	Sam	Hoghton	16.8.04	188	ROC	0
52	Riley	Bonner	7.3.97	191	Cheltenham	22
53	Tyson	Sruk	24.8.05	182	Rowville	8
54	Deakyn	Smith	22.8.02	182	South Belgrave	76
55	Miller	Bergman	25.1.03	189	Berwick	27
56	Luis	D'Angelo	19.3.02	184	Tralagon	4
57	Joel	Scholtes	21.6.04	187	Tralgon	0
58	Luamon	Lual	28.3.05	184	Sth Warnambool	25
59	Jasper	Russell	10.1.07	178	Old Haileybury	0
60	Louis	Hodder	27.6.07	176	Mt Eliza	0
61	Toby	Sinnema	11.12.07	180	Devon Meadows	1
62	Clancy	Pope	19.1.07	184	Nar Nar Goon	0
63	Harry	Tatterson	27.9.07	180	Hayfield	0
64	Ethan	Stanley	13.11.03	189	Frankston YCW	27
65	Marcus	Krasnadamskis	18.6.07	202	Wandin	0
66	Jobe	Scapin	1.5.07	188	Inverloch K'wak	0
68	Brayden	Laplanche	30.11.05	190	Montrose	5
69	Oliver	Green	5.10.06	174	Parkdale Vultures	1
70	Nate	Pipicelli	25.5.04	195	Nar Nar Goon	0
71	Tahj	Delarue	20.5.06	183	Berwick	0
72	Luke	Cheffers	5.9.07	188	Officer	0
73	Lachlan	Bryce	17.11.03	191	Frankston YCW	8
74	Wardell	Lual	17.11.98	191	Tooradin	52
75	Jesse	Craven	21.4.05	178	Tooradin	11
76	Jarrod	Gatt	9.10.03	184	Pines	1
77	Xavier	Hampton	18.11.02	190	Fitzroy Stars	0

Thanks Casey greatly appreciated, Casey have a third of their players ranging from 190 - 202cm but not a lot of VFL experience between them. Will be an interesting watch with new coach’s and development team.

5 minutes ago, DeeZone said:

Thanks Casey greatly appreciated, Casey have a third of their players ranging from 190 - 202cm but not a lot of VFL experience between them. Will be an interesting watch with new coach’s and development team.

Let’s not forget that on any given competition match day for Casey, there will usually be around at least a dozen MFC-listed players available for them. Once he returns to full fitness Tom Campbell will be a terrific mentor for the young talls in particular.

Not to mention that we only got effectively half a game as a hit-out against Richmond.

AFL & the VFL are disgracefully run competitions.

It's about time the AFL bit the bullet and bought back a full reserves comp.

The VFL itself should be rebuilt from what stand alone teams are left, plus a few of the top teams from each of the stronger regional clubs like the EFL etc and maybe a handful of country teams that might be viable like from around the Bendigo, Ballarat, La Trobe Valley and/or perhaps Gisborne type regions etc.