KC from Casey

Yes, he is but he's not really getting into the tempo of the game. He's playing on a wing and is struggling a bit today.

Goal - I think to Pedo and the Scorpions lead 62-26.

Big Jake lopes into the CHF spot and is hit on the chest. Goal.

Three quarter time and Scorps lead 8.2.50 to 3.7.25. Justin Plapp telling the players that they were in a position to win and shouldn't give away the initiative. Show the opposition that we want to win. The team's style of play is very pleasing and far more direct than last year.

Another goal to Pedersen. They might as well get him to Ballarat too. 50-24.

Pedo's been taking marks down back and up forward, kicks a goal and goes off. While I'm typing, Ed Morris goals. 44-24.

Half time: Casey Scorpions lead 5.2.32 to Box Hill Hawks 3.5.23. Better players for the Scorps are Pedersen, Brayshaw, Panozza and Walmsley. If I was a Melbourne selector, I would be revving up a helicopter to get Gus to Ballarat by 4.10pm.

Brayshaw having a birthday in the middle. Pedersen playing strongly. 32-21.

Tim Smith takes a strong mark and goals but Box Hill responds. Halfway through the second quarter 25 - 15.

Oscar McDonald playing up forward kicks a goal - Scorps with the wind lead 3.0.18 to 1.3.9 at the first break. Cam Pedersen doing well up forward. Spencer and Fitzpatrick sharing the ruck work and Fitzy had a brief stint forward. Angus Brayshaw looks a well balanced footballer, playing in the middle. Evan Panozza is defending well and Luke Walmsley looks a lively recruit with pace and goal kicking skills - should become a crowd favourite.

A few things have changed at Casey Fields (the scoreboards appear to be operating) but it's still windy down here. According to the team sheet the MFC players in this game are:- Angus Brayshaw, Jack Fitzpatrick, James Harmes, Oscar McDonald, Cam Pedersen, Jake Spencer and Billy Stretch. The Casey list has a number of new players and I suspect the team has a bit of a challenge on its hands because the Hawks have more AFL listed players in their team today (probably because their seniors aren't involved in a game this weekend). The Casey Scorpions list for today's game:- 1. Evan Panozza 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 22. Bryce Rutherford 24. Jordan Moncrieff 28. Paul Pattison 29. Luke Thwaites 35. Nathaniel Paredes 39. Luke Hannon 46. Angus Brayshaw 52. James Harmes 59. Jake Spencer 61. Billy Stretch 65. Cameron Pedersen 74. Oscar McDonald 75. Jack Fitzpatrick

Here at Casey Fields, the Box Hill Hawks have won the curtain raiser 7.7.49 to the Casey Scorpions 5.2.32. Here at Casey Fields, the The Scorpions Development League team list for today's game:- 2. Daniel Easson 7. Daniel Versteegen 9. Jack Griffiths 14. Daniel Welsh 15. Will Collis 18. Brenton Hillard 19. Matthew Rennie 25. Liam Beacom 26. Ricky Plummer 31. Dale Gawley 32. Kody Wilson 34. Tom Wilson 36. Chris Johnson 37. Jackson McDonald 38. Declan Keilty 40. Tom Wyatt 41. Jake Gains 43. Dale Johnson 45. Brandon Droessler 53. Keegan Mason

Not sure if this has been mentioned elsewhere but while the Melbourne squad was over in Perth to take on Fremantle, ten Demons trained with Casey at its main training session. The players all got involved either training or by assisting with drills with the coaching staff. They were Angus Brayshaw, James Harmes, Oscar MacDonald, Max King, Jack Watts, Aiden Riley, Alex Neal-Bullen, Jack Spencer, Dean Terlich and Mitch White. And another good article from Paul Amy: Former Gold Coast Suns player Jack Hutchins has signed with the Casey Scorpions

The Casey Scorpions have announced another signing - 191cm, 92kg defender Jack Hutchins who played 19 games with the Gold Coast Suns from 2011 to 2014.

Here's an interesting article from Paul Amy in the Herald Sun's local papers edition: New Casey coach Justin Plapp wants at least one Scorpion drafted in 2015

After a disappointing 2014 we can expect a better performed Casey Scorpions this year under new coach Justin Plapp. A number of youngsters were given their chance last season and the club is looking for improvement from them after their baptism under fire. There are no "big name" recruits but some of the new faces at the club look very promising and the view is that there should be more AFL listed players available on a weekly basis this year after an injury-riddled 2014. The notable ins and outs to this stage are - In: Shannon Byrnes (Melbourne), James Munro (Sandringham), Bailey Fritsch (Coldstream), Luke Walmsley (Dingley), Luke Hannon (Eastern Ranges) Out: Jake Best (Leongatha) The club is close to finalising its 2015 VFL list and has released its 2015 practice match schedule in the lead up into the opening round game on the 18th April against Frankston at Casey Fields. There are five practice matches with four at home:- Saturday 14th March v Box Hill 10am & 1pm at Casey Fields Saturday 21st March v Port Melbourne 9.45am & 12.45pm at Casey Fields Saturday 28th March v Williamstown 10am & 1pm at Casey Fields Saturday 4th April v Collingwood 11am at Olympic Park Saturday 11th April v Werribee 11am & 2pm at Casey Fields

The 2014 VFL fixture came out during the week. Highlights: The Casey Scorpions will start the season at home against Frankston in Round 1. Round 6 will see the Scorpions host a night game against Richmond at Casey Fields. New coach Justin Plapp will not have to coach against his old club Williamstown till Round 18. Casey plays 11 games against 2014 finalists. With Bendigo Gold out of the competition, there will be a bye every week and each team will have two byes for the season with the Scorpions' byes coming in Round 7 & 11.

Jake Best had a great season in 2013 when Casey was one of the leading sides in the competition. Like most of his teammates, he found things a lot tougher this year. He gave it his best shot and was probably an outside chance for a rookie spot 12 months ago. He will be missed at the Scorpions but life must go on.

Main signings for Casey included in this article - VFL signings for 2015

The Casey recruiting spree continues with exciting 22-year-old Dingley speedster Luke Walmsley (189cm, 70kg) coming on board at the Scorpions. Walmsley was the runaway winner (by 7 votes) of this year's Ellis Medal for the Best and Fairest player in the Southern Football League Division One and was also his team's best player in this year's grand final loss to East Brighton. The long-striding, athletic speedster reads the play well and is a great kick was encouraged to move to state league ranks by his coach, former Magpie star Shane Morwood who described him as a "running machine". The explosive Walmsley could be just the player to replace the departing Jake Best.

Re the comments about embracing the local community, I think it would be good if a better way of bonding with local junior clubs could be found - Casey is in a different position vis a vis the locals compared to any of the others but I really don't have any answers. Perhaps, a return to a team that represents the Dandenong region and beyond. Meanwhile, the Casey recruiting machine continues to find young talent but no big names as yet. Latest signings are North Ballarat Rebels captain Keegan Mason (194cm) and VAFA U19 rep Brandon Droeseller (Kew/Box Hill Sec College).

Bayley Fritsch of Coldstream Football Club in the Eastern Districts Football League has signed with the Casey Scorpions for 2015. He was runner up in his club's flag-winning Under 19s this year and also took out the EDFL Division 3/4 Young Gun Award.

Melbourne scored a coup this week when it drafted Christian Petracca from the Eastern Ranges but the Casey Scorpions also did well to sign Petracca's teammate, captain and club best and fairest winner at the Ranges in Luke Hannon.

Bate and Martin have been gone for two years and Davis was actually at the club in 2014 as a VFL listed player. The problem for Casey was certainly the loss of AFL experience but it was also the loss of VFL experience as well combined with injury. The young kids with light bodies simply couldn't cut it when opposed to bigger bodied and more experienced opposition especially when they were called on to play a defensive game plan which called for super fitness and massive tanks. They should be better at it in 2015 especially if they get money to recruit some suitable players.

We now know the news of the signing of Sandringham's James Munro who with three other Casey players is training at Melbourne -Casey quartet train with Melbourne. In addition it looks like Shannon Byrnes will be coming on board as an assistant playing coach - Dual Geelong premiership player Shannon Byrnes appointed playing assistant coach of Casey Scorpions. Great appointment. The Scorpions have re-signed power forward Tim Smith but on the flip side, two players are leaving the club:- * forward Jake Best who had a disappointing 2014 after a great debut season the year before is returning to Leongatha, and * former Demon listed player Troy Davis.