KC from Casey

A series of errors lets Willy in for a goal and a 4 point lead 33 - 29.

... here, but not playing ...

He's here and getting a few kicks - doing ok.

And that's half time: Casey Scorpions lead 4.4.28 to Williamstown 3.8.26 Goals Brayshaw Gawley Kennedy-Harris Smith

Seagulls peppering the goals late in the quarter and finally intercept for a goal to trail by 2 points.

JKH snaps after some good work by Brayshaw in a pack.

There's a goal in it halfway through the second with the Scorps lead 22-16. Nice mark in defence by Fitzy.

Keep doing what you're doing MNY - I have a few distractions here

Brayshaw continuing to dominate possession as Gawley soccers off the ground for a goal.

Quarter Time: Casey Scorpions 2.4.16 lead Williamstown 1.3.9 Goals Brayshaw Smith

With the AFL having its rest week ahead of the start of the 2015 season, all eyes this weekend will be on tomorrow's World Cup Cricket final between Australia and New Zealand today's VFL practice match between Williamstown and Casey Scorpions at Casey Fields. The Seagulls are a stand alone team which had a good season last year despite ending their association with the Bulldogs while the Scorpions are rebuilding their side after a horror 2014 that saw them slip out of the finals for the first time since they began their alignment with the Demons. There will be some Melbourne players in this game with special permission to play (usually given if they have had interrupted pre seasons). Among the AFL senior listed players expected to play are Angus Brayshaw, Jack Fitzpatrick, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Dean Kent, Viv Michie, Aidan Riley and Bernie Vince. The Senior game starts at 1:00pm with the Development League match at 10:00am. I have an appointment at the other end of town but hope to make it down before quarter time and will report on the game from then. Team sheets Seniors 1. Evan Panozza 3. Patrick Rosier 6. James Munro 10. Mitchell Gent 11. Jack Hutchins 13. Lucas Walmsley 16. Thomas Muir 17. Edward Morris 20. Timothy Smith 22. Bryce Rutherford 28. Paul Pattison 29. Luke Thwaites 31. Dale Gawley 32. Kody Wilson 41. Jake Gains 46. Angus Brayshaw 53. Max King 55. Aidan Riley 57. Jay Kennedy-Harris 63. Viv Michie 67. Aaron vandenBerg 73. Bernie Vince 75. Jack Fitzpatrick Development League 2. Will Collis 4. Sam Waters 9. Jack Griffiths 12. Will Petropoulos 14. Daniel Welsh 15. Sean Corrigan 18. Brenton Hillard 19. Matthew Rennie 24. Keegan Mason 25. Liam Beacom 26. Ricky Plummer 29. Luke Thwaites 30. Bayley Fritsch 31. Dale Gawley 33. Nick Battle 34. Tom Wilson 36. Chris Johnson 37. Jackson McDonald 38. Declan Kielty 39. Luke Hannon 40. Tom Wyatt 43. Dale Johnson 45. Brandon Droessler 51. Jack Presnell

The Melbourne team needs quality players and needs them in depth. I know Essendon had plenty missing last night but when you cut the team down to 22, adding the likes of say Vince, Howe, Kent, JKH and Brayshaw its a completely different team.

All over - Casey left its run a bit late going down 7.7.49 to Port's 8.7.55 meaning both games were lost by a single goal. Goals Kent Smith 2 Pederson Rosier Walmsley Best Brayshaw Kent Fitzpatrick Michie Spencer Pattison It was a much better second half with Port winning due to its experience and calmness under pressure. Spencer controlled the ruck and Fitzpatrick did well in defence. People want to know why I'm so impressed with Brayshaw. He is all class and poise, moves beautifully and kicks well with either foot. A couple of his kicks were intercepted but that was due mainly to the flat footed laziness of the intended recipient. Now to sum up why he impressed - it was in a single piece of play in the second quarter. The ball was kicked towards the wing on the members side, the Casey player in the pack was out of position with two Port players about to raffle the mark between them. It was Brayshaw who had to go for the mark from behind and he rose, plucked it away and played on. Exquisite. Viv Michie was a solid ball getter as well and set up some nice plays but is not much different to some of the other midfielders who played last night. We have a need for an outside running machine. Billy Stretch could become that player but he he has a way to go. Paul Pattison also impressed. I think Casey will have a good year. They had a few of their leaders out today and looked very ordinary until the third term when they lifted. Lucas Walmsley with his shock of blond Rasta hair, pace and elusiveness could be a big name at this level and go even further.

Scorps in a big fightback - only a goal down. Dean Kent had a hand in a goal early but has taken his time getting into the game. He now has two goals for this quarter. Lucas Walmsley looks a likely type, his goal was a highlight.

Couple of goals to Tim Smith but Scorps still 4 goals behind at the final break - 3.6.24 to 7.6.47 Goals Smith 2 Rosier

Angus Brayshaw is a quality footballer who shouldn't be playing with this rabble. Half time: Port Melbourne 5.3.33 to Casey Scorpions 1.4.10 Goal Rosier

Playing better with Brayshaw and Michie getting the footy but still a struggle to score - 8 to 27.

Quarter Time Port 4.2.26 to Casey 1.0.6 Goal to Rosier Port was kicking the breeze and the Scorpions were very sloppy - reminiscent of MCC last night. Do they train them to play like that?

Port have opened up a 13 point lead halfway through the first term. 3.1.19 to 1.0.6.

We should see about a dozen Demons this afternoon including Jordie McKenzie who didn't get a run last night but is on the team sheet for today. 3. Patrick Rosier 5. Nathan Page 6. James Munro 10. Mitchell Gent 11. Jack Hutchins 13. Lucas Walmsley 16. Thomas Muir 17. Edward Morris 20. Timothy Smith 24. Jordan Moncrieff 28. Paul Pattison 29. Luke Thwaites 39. Luke Hannon 46. Angus Brayshaw 52. James Harmes 53. Max King 58. Mitch White 59. Jake Spencer 61. Billy Stretch 63. Viv Michie 65. Cameron Pedersen 66. Jordie McKenzie 69. Rohan Bail 74. Oscar McDonald 75. Jack Fitzpatrick 76. Dean Kent I'd be surprised if Rohan Bail played. He was on the field yesterday and I haven't seen him warming up.

The Casey Scorpions Development League team lost to Port Melbourne by 6 points after a late goal to the Borough - 10.10.70 to10.4.64. 9. Nick Lang 14. Daniel Welsh 15. Sean Corrigan 18. Brenton Hillard 19. Matthew Rennie 21. Andrew Godfrey 25. Liam Beacom 26. Ricky Plummer 30. Bayley Fritsch 31. Dale Gawley 32. Kody Wilson 33. Nick Battle 34. Tom Wilson 35. Mitch Stanlake 36. Chris Johnson 37. Jackson McDonald 39. Luke Hannon 40. Tom Wyatt 41. Jake Gains 43. Dale Johnson 45. Brandon Droessler 51. Jack Presnell 52. Daniel Easson

There seems little doubt that the Casey Scorpions of 2015 will be a far different proposition to the side that limped through much of last season to finish second last, ahead only of the now defunct Bendigo Gold. On that performance, the club would be ranked last among the remaining VFL clubs but, after a shaky opening few minutes, the team settled down well against one of the competition's power house combinations and maintained control for much of the game. Their accuracy in front of goal was a stand out. Gone were the hesitancy and poor decision making of a team that was often undermanned, inexperienced and outclassed side playing poor directionless football and in its place were bigger bodies and a new style of more direct purposeful football under new coach Justin Plapp. They held on against the wind to win well by 20 points - 10.2.62 to 5.12.42. There was only a small contingent of AFL listed players with rejuvenated big man Cam Pedersen relishing the game against his old VFL club and dominating all over the ground, particularly up forward where he was in fine marking form and got among the goals. Angus Brayshaw was the most impressive of the young recruits. Playing in the middle, he showed class and balance and dominated the centre clearances with great effect. His second term was outstanding. He has clean hands and delivered the ball well given the gusty conditions and relished playing under Plapp, his 2014 coach at the Sandringham Dragons. James Harmes was effective coming out of defence and Oscar McDonald, playing mainly up forward moved well and kicked a goal early. Billy Stretch on a wing was quiet but had a few good runs and looms as a future outside player who will no doubt be groomed to emulate the Lewis Jetta/Isaac Smith type of player in the future. Jake Spencer rucked strongly, assisted by Jack Fitzpatrick who filled in up forward for short periods. Skipper Evan Panozza played his usual workmanlike role in defence with occasional stints up forwards. Mitch Gent, who was sidelined by injury last year, was in good form and Tim Smith took a couple of his trademark hangers. Ed Morris and Bryce Rutherford look to be kicking on from their break out seasons of last year. Lucas Walmsley was the stand out among the recruits. He has pace and poise, kicked the first goal and showed out and with his shock of blond dreadlocked hair is sure to become a crowd favourite. Other recruits who caught the eye were Jack Hutchins ex Gold Coast, returning Gippsland Power player Tom Muir who spent last year in Adelaide, James Munro from Sandringham and Luke Hannon who skippered Eastern Ranges last year and was a teammate of injured Demon recruit Christian Petracca. Jordan Moncrieff, the son of ex-Hawthorn forward Michael, is a likely type at 197cm. The side was missing experienced Shannon Byrnes and Will Petropoulos and will have much greater depth in 2015 but the main difference between the Scorps of last year and this year is the purpose and spirit of the players. They have a greater desire to succeed. At the final break, Plapp called upon them to maintain their intensity and show the opposition no respite and they managed to do that against a very strong side. They mastered the conditions, kicked well for goal and deserved the result.

I'll be back with a report later on.

A more accurate Casey Scorpions win their first practice match of the season by 20 points - 10.2.62 to Box Hill Hawks 5.12.42. Cameron Pedersen the best for the Scorps.

A couple of goals to the Hawks give them an outside chance but they still trail by 21 points.