Drunkn167

Even though he is named in the VFL squad, I believe Dion Johnstone is playing in the development league due to some pretty poor form over the practice matches leading into the season

You sure you didn't misread that as Gawn? The listed injuries for the game are- Gawn (right hamstring), Kent (cut head)

I got $20 on at $29, fingers crossed

So excited for today! Playing local footy at 12:30 then straight after I'm finished gonna drive down to Etihad (hopefully before the first bounce but it'll be close) to watch my first live game of the season and see my man Bull in action!!!

You are right on the money. He is a great bloke and obviously a fantastic coach, I know Melbourne's good recruiting has helped Casey immensely, but Plappy took them from finishing second last in 2014, to minor premiers and runner ups in 2016. He puts so much time and effort into Casey and particularly the Casey listed players, and I believe he was one of the biggest factors in Bull and Dec getting drafted to Melbourne. With what looks like another big year for Casey, as well as his appointment as VFL state coach (which is usually reserved for the most senior coaches of the VFL) his CV keeps on growing and I wouldn't be surpised at all to see him as an AFL Senior coach in the future.

And Casey are only about 6th flag favorites......doesn't make sense to me

Im playing local footy in Gippsland Saturday morning, but by the time the games finished I should be able to drive down to Etihad just before the first bounce. Super keen to watch my first game for the season, even more so since the Bull is debuting! Cannot wait!

On that, a little birdy told me Keilty isn't too far off either

YES BULL!!!!! So glad to see the big man get his shot this early in the season! The amount of hard work he has put in over the last 5-6 years has really paid off for him. Really happy for Tim.

Damn that screamer Bull takes at 1:24 is nice! Would love to see it at AFL level

How'd Keilty go KC?

Pretty stoked to see Hannan not dropped to an emergency, I thought he was fantastic last week and the man can definitely play good footy.

Saturday at Casey Fields vs Box Hill I won't be able to attend this one either as I'm playing my Round 1 game for my local league Saturday, hopefully someone can go and give a report this time.

So I see a few people have talked up Keilty as a possible replacement for O.Mac Two things I want to say; 1) Yes Oscar made some sloppy errors and more than a couple of bad decisions, but if you look at his stats he didn't do too bad, he is still developing don't forget. 2) Keilty had a great run of form during last years VFL season, and can out mark O.Mac probably 9/10 times, but Dec needs at least another preseason in him before he is ready for the pace of the AFL. The step-up from VFL to AFL is huge, and Keilty's tank just isn't there yet. If his form is really good this year then he might get a call up, but as I said, he needs another pre season behind him before he really hits his stride.

I wasn't at the game but Keilty played forward, although he didn't kick a goal he did well apparently. He has played forward the last 2 pre season games because the coaches had the belief that if he worked on his forward/ruck role they could find a spot for him in the seniors. But since they know he can play down back, I wonder if that'll change now they are lacking defensive depth in Garland and Smith?

Anyone have footage of the song?

What an amazing game! Clarry will be a superstar into the future, Lewis is the perfect recruit, feeling for Joely Smith, Hannan was fantastic on bebut, T Mac going to overtake Rance as he best defender, so many players did so well, God damn I love this club!!!!!

How good was MITCHY!? He got a 92 fantasy score on debut!

So unfortunately fellas I'm working today so I won't be attending the pre season game today v Williamstown. Will be listening to today's Dee's v St Kilda game on the radio though!

http://melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-03-20/garland-to-miss-2017-season Confirmed ACL, poor guy. That'd be almost his career over

Scorps gear but that's because the Demon jumpers haven't arrived yet

Nope, no Spence.

Damn, at the ground the Docs initially didn't think it was an ACL, must've changed their mind the last 3 hours

Easy win for an outclassed team on a Sunny day On a beautifully hot Sunday afternoon at an immaculate looking Casey Fields, the new Demons with a strong team outmatched a good opponent in Port Melbourne for a 17-8-108 to 10-4-64 win in the first VFL practice match for 2017. The boys started out very strong, with a good mark and goal in the pocket to Jack Watts, a snap around the corner from one of the Casey boys, as well as 5 more to be 7-1-42 to 0 at quarter time. Maybe due to the fact it was a preseason game and looking like an easy finish, Casey seemed to ease up around the contest and allowed a Port Melbourne midfield stacked with ex AFL and state league players to send the ball inside 50 and kick some good goals, as well as some sloppy errors in defence. An injury scare for Dean Kent after a nice smother in the forward pocket saw him leave the ground with shoulder soreness, but came back on before half time with some strapping to the elbow. After a longer then usual half time due to the heat, Port again came out strong in the 3rd quarter and for the most part won the contested ball from stoppages, but the Demons still kept fighting and thanks to a couple of late goals Casey where in front 12-4-77 to 10-3-63 coming into the final break. The boys finished the game strongly, maybe due to superior fitness but definitely due to better skills, the boys managed to get away in the last quarter. 2 very strong overhead marks to Keilty, one which turned into a goal 50m out dead in front, strong forward pressure from Garlett, Kent, Johnstone, a very strong tackle by our boy Tim 'Bull' Smith and good work from the midfielders allowed the game to be easily won. It wasn't all good news however, with less then 10 minutes to go Col Garland fell to the ground on the far side wing after a big contest, clutching at his left knee and screaming in agony that could be heard from across the ground, saw the game stop and he being stretched off to the worried murmurs of the supporters. They believe he hasn't done any crucial ligaments, however they estimate a 8-10 week recovery for the veteran. A decent hit out overall, with a lot of room for improvement. Could have won by 100 points if they turned it on in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. For the players (note every player seemed to play at minimum 3 quarters of game time, and no one being rested after half time) Watts: Good hitout. Seemed to slow up for the 2nd and 3rd quarter but was strong at the start and finish, took some good marks and kicked/set up a number of goals. Round 1 inclusion. Tyson: Played in the midfield all game, seemed a little below par to his normal game but that's expected when coming off injury, did well. Trengrove: The former captain did his job, I didn't think he was spectacular but had a very good hitout and did good work when pushing forward. Kent: In the best for sure. Round 1 lock I would say. J Smith: Was terrific running off the half back line. Looked unstoppable in the air and ran through to go inside 50 multiple times. If I was a team selector I would play him round 1 for sure. Pederson: In the best on ground as well. Took a massive mark on the forward 50, had some time in the ruck, played very strong, wouldn't dismiss for a round 1 spot. Jetta: Did okay, made a few sloppy errors but did well to stop the Port forwards from doing too much damage, maybe not playing round 1. Garland: Did well all game, a number of marks and spoils before his injury, hope he pulls through. Hulett: First time I've seen him play as defender and he just looked lost. Over ran the ball, misread the flight, didn't really have any good impact. McKenna: Had a surprisingly strong game. Lots of defending marks and good defensive pressure for a small backmen, really liked what I saw. With some more development he may turn into a great defender. Kennedy: Same as usual, was good around stoppages, did well. Garlett: Jeffy did what Jeffy does. Round 1. Hannan: Played a fair bit on the ball, where he did well. Flew a couple of times up forward but only held 1 I think, but a good start from the former Footscray forward. Johnstone: Not a lot of game time and played up the ground a little, didn't get a lot of the ball but did well whenever he did. Looking forward to watching him develop. T Smith: Typical Bull game. Took a couple of good grabs up forward, kicked/set up goals, and at one stage he tackled someone inside the forward 50 that made the ground shake. Did however miss a couple of goals uncharacteristically. Keilty: Struggled to get on the ground at times due to 10 on the bench and shorter quarters, but had a very good final term. Didn't get to be in his preferred position as a defender but the mark he took when he lead from the top of the square and leaped in the air and took the ball at its highest point in the middle of multiple defenders had me jumping from my seat. Filipovic: Did alright in the ruck against a very tall Port Melbourne ruckman, but the pace of the game got to him. He will learn but did well I thought. White/Maynard: Either didn't play or I just didn't notice their involvement. Casey Listed: Standouts for me were Hutchins in defence, Gent in the middle was very powerful, Ferreira did well as did Bailey and Baker in the forward pocket.

Full time Casey 17-6-108 to Port 10-4-64, strong last quarter but felt we could've been much further in front. Will do a full report when I get home.