I live near TBO so the Sandringham away game is my best chance to see Casey play.
Some observations.
With a very strong NW blowing diagonally to the Beach Road pocket at the Sautner end, it was a very scrappy contested game with a continuous rolling maul, a lot of turnovers and skill execution was rare.
Sandringham were well on top for the first 2 and half quarters, their extra men back in the first quarter were very effective outnumbering Casey forwards and intercept marking, Marshall and Pierce are big boys who marked well in windy conditions. Casey were 4 goals down at half time - 4 goals to 8, and 3 players down - Smith, Spencer and (I think) James Munro - apologies to James if I'm wrong.
The start of the third quarter Casey failed to get on top and when Sandy kicked their second goal for the quarter half way through it was 6 goals to 10 and looking bleak for Casey. Dec kicked a goal midway through the quarter, there is really great spirit and belief at Casey and the boys really got around him and kicked the next 3 goals to be a point behind at 3 quarter time - each of these goals was strongly celebrated and that seems to be a team theme.
At 3 quarter time Justin Plapp encouraged the team to write a memorable story and there was general belief among the players (but not me). The focus was on the "money ball" - I'm not sure what that is, but he mentioned it 4 or 5 times. I don't blame Earl for leaving at 3 quarter time, it looked like how far the Zebras - I actually moved to the northern end of the ground to enable a quick getaway myself and was able to enjoy the Casey action there in the final quarter.
Sandy seemed to think it was just going to happen and Casey really lifted around the ball. Mitch King had an influence at the stoppages. Weid took two strong contested marks and Scott, Fritsch and Ferriera were dangerous around goal when finally matched up 1:1. Sandy got their noses in front about 20 minutes in but in an incredible effort Casey kicked the final 2 goals to win a great victory. Plapp really has the team playing with belief, spirit and cohesiveness and it's a great credit to him.
Melbourne listed players:
Gus Brayshaw: Was playing free across a half-back until midway through the 2nd and I thought was ineffective, he didn't get much interception at all but did land one bone crunching tackle on a Sandy player in quarter one. Went onto the ball midway through the second and immediately got his hands on it. He was a ball magnet at the stoppages and I expect his handball numbers to be high. It was hot in the kitchen and he would have gained a lot of confidence concussion-wise from getting through a fierce test. He's an inside/outside midfielder and half-forward and half-back don't suit him. If he comes into the MFC side that's where he needs to play to get involved.
Billy Stretch: Got a lot of the ball in the heat and tried to be creative and run the ball up into the wind. He's a smart player who works hard on his game.
Dec Keilty: As Drunkn said, he played very well, especially intercept marking and contested marking down back and kicked a nice goal when thrown forward to spark the Casey revival. He's got some ground skills too and is definitely a prospect worth investing in.
JKH: He was very busy at the stoppages and got a lot of the ball. He's evasive so can get into some space. He's small so that works against him at AFL level. It's hard to see him permanently in the midfield but I think he's could play the Neville Jetta role and maybe apprentice there. I'd keep him on the list because ANB had a similar year last year and has shown improvement.
Ben Kennedy: Also worked hard inside and is genuinely a tough customer. Kicked a superb long goal at the start of the 3rd from the wrong pocket with the wind and for a left footer. We need developing depth players but I have JKH ahead of him.
Sam Weideman: It was a very difficult day for marking forwards. Was manned up against 3 or 4 Saints giants when we had the wind and could not get a run at it in the 1st. In the 2nd I think it only went inside our 50 once and Fritsch kicked a goal. Sam was rucking in the back half in this quarter part of the time. He was better in the 3rd and took a couple of marks and kicked a goal. In the last he was instrumental in the win when finally 1 out against the Zebra defenders. He took 2 strong marks, crumbed a Hulett contest to handball off for a nice goal and got a free for holding in a marking contest because he was making the defenders nervous. He missed that shot but he is generally a beautiful kick with the best action since Garry Lyon. It was great that he fought on and didn't drop his head and really contributed on what could have been a dirty day for him.
Dion Johnstone: He played in the centre square and wing and got his hands on a few nice clearances. He's an aggressive player and gave away a 50 at one stage, but I like his hardness. He's small too but there's some ball finding quality there to work with.
Mich King: Had to shoulder the ruck load when Jake went off injured and struggled up to 3 quarter time. In the last quarter he too was instrumental in the victory, he got his hands on the tap outs or at least broke even. Followed up with a crucial centre clearance which were like gold into the wind and also got forward and took a good contested mark. It's the kind of match that could be the making of his belief.
Jack Trengove: He's a leader and was very good at the quarter time huddles with his guidance and advice. But I think unfortunately his AFL career is over, he just doesn't have a point of difference.
Joel Smith: Stood on the shoulders of the pack on a kick-in - really right up there like his dad, but landed badly and was in a lot of pain when stretchered off. Hope he makes a good recovery, he has many AFL attributes - size, speed, courage and leap. He'll make it.
Liam Hulett: I was bullish about Liam when he joined us last year but he has struggled. He played deep forward and really made a contest but was unable to get his hands on it much. It was tough conditions but unfortunately he seems to lack AFL level class.
Jake Spencer: Went off injured in the 2nd and was in the tracksuit - I'm not sure what the injury was. Jake needs to be able to dominate the contest against a player like Jason Holmes and he wasn't able to. I think he'll be at another club next year.
There's no clear elevations to the MFC side that will make a huge difference. Gus was very good but he needs to play in the guts to excel and I don't see a slot for him there yet . It will come with Lewis and Vince coming towards the end, or sooner if we have an injury or suspension. As some have posted, I think he needs more confidence building at Casey. Billy was very good too and is a class above VFL level, he'll make it as a player but he's not going to make a huge impact at AFL level yet, he just needs to continue to work hard on his game which no doubt he will. Dec was great but I think he's better playing back and I don't see him forcing his way in there just yet, he can continue to develop and build confidence and really dominate at VFL level. Weid is the most likely elevation IMO even though he had 3 quiet quarters he has some AFL level chops.
