KC from Casey

Development League: Port Melbourne 20.4.124 too strong for Casey Scorpions 7.4.46. Newcomer Joe Fisscher kicked 3 goals.

The Casey Scorpions have now finalised their list with two late signings in former Dandenong Stingrays Angus Scott and Dale Gawley making a total of 25 newcomers at the Scorpions in 2014.

I worked the phones a bit last night and it appears that the above is a very good summation of what took place with Casey's straight kicking in the final quarter third enabling them to bring home the bacon kicking the last five goals as the wind freshened. Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 4.3.27 8.5.53 Box Hill Hawks 2.3.15 4.11.35 4.15.39 This was a pretty good result for Casey but somewhat deceptive because the Scorps had the benefit of the breeze for two of the three thirds. The other side of the coin is that the Hawks (both AFL & VFL) had very few players unavailable and their depth on the day was strong giving them the luxury of having a couple of last year's VFL premiership team playing in the development league game over three quarters at day's end. That match was as much, if not more, of a slaughter than the AFL game with a young Scorpions side being completely overrun by a more accomplished Hawks. Casey Scorpions 1.0.6 1.0.6 1.0.6 Box Hill Hawks 8.5.53 11.7.73 12.9.81

The 3/4 time score at Casey Fields sees the Scorpions 8.5.53 leading the wayward Hawks 4.15.39 ... but there's a way to go because this is a six quarter match (so it's really half time).

Can't make it today because of other commitments but I'm sure some Dlanders will hang around at Casey to keep us apprised of the events of the Casey v Box Hill game. The Hawks are also reigning VFL premiers. Unfortunately, I look like missing most of the first half of 2014 due to work so if there are any regular Casey goers who would like to fill in while I'm away, please PM Demonland or Whispering Jack.

Evan Panozza has been appointed captain again for 2014. He will be supported by Mitch Gent as his vice captain with Will Petropoulos, Troy Davis, Nathan Page and Tim Smith making up the leadership group.

Casey Fields is situated at 160 Berwick - Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East - Melway 134 E7 Saturday's practice match against Hawthorn will be followed at 4.00 pm by a match between Casey Scorpions and Box Hill Hawks which are the affiliates of the AFL clubs. The game will be over six quarters to enable as many players as possible from the various club lists to gain some match practice.

Article on the Casey Scorpions in the local Leader newspaper:- Long list of recruits for Casey Scorpions ahead of 2014 VFL season Casey's 2014 recruits are: Ricky Ferraro (Bonbeach), Troy Davis (Melbourne), Ryan Morrison (Narre Warren), Edward Morris (Gippsland Power), Matthew Rennie (Dandenong Stingrays), Joseph Fisscher (Old Haileybury), Jake Thomas (Gippsland Power), Angus Scott (Dandenong Stingrays), James Davidson (Warragul), Luke Thwaites (Tarwin), David Delpapa (Scoresby), Gavin Pears (Rowville), Andrew Murray (Wonthaggi), Luke Collins (Montmorency), Nathaniel Paredes (Gippsland Power), Kelsey Currie (Upper Ferntree Gully), Jackson McDonald (Box Hill Hawks), Joel Winderlich (MDU), Joe West (Dandenong Stingrays), Tom Wyatt (Korumburra Bena), Calum Sheils (Warragul), Jordan Symons (Traralgon), Daniel Welsh (Eastern Ranges), Kayan Bundle (Traralgon).

The Casey Scorpions have added four members of the inaugural Alex Silvagni Development Squad to their 2014 list - Jordan Symons (Traralgon), Joel Winderlich (Meeniyan-Dumbalk United), Luke Thwaites (Tarwin) and Tom Wyatt (Korumburra-Bena). These additions should just about finalise the Casey list for the year.

This week's local Cranbourne Leader has an article (no link available) that focusses on the changes over the off season at Casey and whilst it doesn't add a great deal of new information, it's nevertheless interesting. Highlights:- ■ the recent re-signing of captain Evan Panozza and rover Will Petropoulos - ~ Casey Scorpions general manager Matthew Young.■ other significant regulars to have re-signed are Ricky Plummer, Jake Best, Panozza, Tim Smith, Mitch Gent and Nathan Page; ■ the most seasoned inclusions on the Casey list are former Demon Troy Davis and former Sandringham and Collingwood VFL midfielder Ricky Ferraro. Other recruits include Ed Morris, Nathan Paredes, Jake Thomas (Gippsland Power), Matt Rennie, Joseph West (Dandenong Stingrays), Daniel Welsh (Eastern Ranges) and ex-Stingray Ryan Morrison, who played in Narre Warren's senior premiership last year. ■ the Scorpions are expected to finalise their list this week and one or two players from their inaugural Alex Silvagni Development Academy are in contention for contracts. ■ the first pre-season hitout is on Saturday, March 8 at Casey Fields, after the AFL practice match between Melbourne and Hawthorn. ■ the Scorpions will also host games against Williamstown (March 15) and Port Melbourne (March 22). ■ the club is looking for a major jumper sponsor. It was also good to see some of the Casey lads finding the footy at Thursday's MFC intraclub game.

I looked at last year's player list and I believe the number is 44 which covers the development league (old VFL reserves) team as well. I think the lists can be added to in the event of serious or long term injuries and the 23rd player rule also helps with numbers. On top of that there are the players available from the aligned club's AFL list not selected to play for them on any given week. Therefore the numbers should be adequate although we know that annually we seem to have problems with MFC player numbers available to represent Casey in finals.

There's a comprehensive update on the Scorps' pre season on the Casey Scorpions website - CASEY SCORPIONS PRE SEASON UPDATE.

Correction: the opening practice match v Box Hill Hawks will be played at the finish of the Melbourne v Hawthorn game at 4.00pm so that the AFL game will be the curtain raiser:- Saturday 8 March - Casey Scorpions v Box Hill Hawks @ Casey Fields, Cranbourne (Seniors 4.00 pm) Saturday 15 March - Casey Scorpions v Williamstown @ Casey Fields, Cranbourne (Seniors 2.00 pm; Development League 11.00 am) Saturday 22 March - Casey Scorpions v Port Melbourne @ Casey Fields, Cranbourne (Seniors 2.00 pm; Development League 11.00 am) In other news skipper Evan Panozza and Will Petropoulos, one of last year's big improvers, have both committed to the club again for 2014.

Practice matches I can confirm against the two oldest VFL clubs:- Saturday 8 March - Casey Scorpions v Box Hill Hawks @ Casey Fields, Cranbourne (Seniors 11.00 am curtain raiser to Melbourne v Hawthorn) Saturday 15 March - Casey Scorpions v Williamstown @ Casey Fields, Cranbourne (Seniors 2.00 pm; Development League 11.00 am) Saturday 22 March - Casey Scorpions v Port Melbourne @ Casey Fields, Cranbourne (Seniors 2.00 pm; Development League 11.00 am)

As mentioned in a post above, the Casey Scorpions have announced former Demon Troy Davis as their key signing to date - Casey Scorpions Signings 2014 recruits include: ■ Troy Davis (Melbourne) ■ Ricky Ferraro (Collingwood VFL) ■ Ed Morris, Nathaniel Paredes and Jake Thomas (Gippsland Power) ■ Matt Rennie and Joseph West (Dandenong Stingrays) ■ Ryan Morrison (Narre Warren)

The AFL Victoria Development League fixture - Round 1: 6 April, 2014 Essendon v Casey Scorpions at Windy Hill Round 2: 13 April, 2014 Casey Scorpions v Geelong at Casey Fields Round 3: 20 April, 2014 Frankston v Casey Scorpions at Frankston Oval Round 4: 27 April, 2014 Casey Scorpions v Sandringham at Casey Fields Round 5: 4 May, 2014 Casey Scorpions v Werribee at Casey Fields Round 6: 10 May, 2014 Northern Blues v Casey Scorpions at Visy Park Round 7: 18 May, 2014 Coburg v Casey Scorpions at Mantello Holden Oval Round 8: Bye Round 9: 7 June, 2014 Casey Scorpions v Collingwood at Casey Fields Round 10: 14 June, 2014 North Ballarat v Casey Scorpions at Eureka Stadium Round 11: 21 June, 2014 Casey Scorpions v Box Hill Hawks at Casey Fields Round 12: 28 June, 2014 Casey Scorpions v Williamstown at Casey Fields Round 13: 5 July, 2014 Richmond v Casey Scorpions at ME Bank Centre Round 14: 12 July, 2014 Bendigo v Casey Scorpions at Queen Elizabeth Oval Round 15: 19 July, 2014 Casey Scorpions v Frankston at Casey Fields Round 16: Bye Round 17: 2 August, 2014 Casey Scorpions v Northern Blues at Casey Fields Round 18: 9 August, 2014 Port Melbourne v Casey Scorpions at North Port Oval Round 19: 17 August, 2014 Footscray Bulldogs v Casey Scorpions at Highgate Recreation Reserve Round 20: 24 August, 2014 Casey Scorpions v Coburg at Casey Fields

The 2014 VFL was announced today. Richmond and the Western Bulldogs have ditched their alignments with Coburg and Williamstown adding two teams to the competition - Round 1: 6 April, 2014 Essendon v Casey Scorpions at Windy Hill Round 2: 13 April, 2014 Casey Scorpions v Geelong at Casey Fields Round 3: 20 April, 2014 Frankston v Casey Scorpions at Frankston Oval Round 4: 27 April, 2014 Casey Scorpions v Sandringham at Casey Fields Round 5: 4 May, 2014 Casey Scorpions v Werribee at Casey Fields Round 6: 10 May, 2014 Northern Blues v Casey Scorpions at Visy Park Round 7: 18 May, 2014 Coburg v Casey Scorpions at Mantello Holden Oval Round 8: Bye Round 9: 7 June, 2014 Casey Scorpions v Collingwood at Casey Fields Round 10: 14 June, 2014 North Ballarat v Casey Scorpions at Eureka Stadium Round 11: 21 June, 2014 Casey Scorpions v Box Hill Hawks at Casey Fields Round 12: 28 June, 2014 Casey Scorpions v Williamstown at Casey Fields Round 13: 5 July, 2014 Richmond v Casey Scorpions at ME Bank Centre Round 14: 12 July, 2014 Bendigo v Casey Scorpions at Queen Elizabeth Oval Round 15: 19 July, 2014 Casey Scorpions v Frankston at Casey Fields Round 16: Bye Round 17: 2 August, 2014 Casey Scorpions v Northern Blues at Casey Fields Round 18: 9 August, 2014 Port Melbourne v Casey Scorpions at North Port Oval Round 19: 17 August, 2014 Footscray Bulldogs v Casey Scorpions at Highgate Recreation Reserve Round 20: 24 August, 2014 Casey Scorpions v Coburg at Casey Fields

Ex-Demons/Scorpions who have recently moved to other VFL clubs: Collingwood: Tom Couch Frankston: Wade Lees Josh Tynan Port Melbourne: James Magner Luke Tynan Richmond: Aaron Davey Rian McGough James Wall Ben Waite

I'm surprised that Jake Best wasn't drafted as a rookie at the very least. He really showed something in his debut season for the Scorpions and I thought he was worth a try and that a club like Melbourne would have made a good fit. Understand that he will remain at Casey and I'm hoping that he continues his improvement from the start to the end of the season - he could become one of the competition's star players. I think most supporters of the VFL competition would be disappointed with the outcome of the drafts. Not many picked and a few of those were AFL retreads from the past.

Paul Amy of Leader Newspapers discusses likely draftees from the VFL with Casey Scorpion Jake Best nominated as one of the VFL players most likely to be drafted - Academy coach predicts up to 10 VFL players to take the next step into AFL football. Also mentioned is livewire small man Mitch Gent.

Paul Amy of Leader Newspapers is tweeting that the Casey Scorpions have secured rugged ex-Sandringham and Collingwood VFL onballer Ricky Ferraro who played for Bonbeach this year. Says he's a handy pick up.

Despite a few departures which are par for the course every year, the Casey Scorpions are looking far more settled than they were 12 months ago. At that time, the club was staring in the face of extinction in the wake of the loss of poker machine licences, had no coach and concerns about keeping their playing list together. Senior coach Rohan Welsh has been reappointed for the role in 2014 but gone from the list will be former skipper Kyle Matthews, vice captain Luke Tynan, ex-Magpie Danny Nicholls and Michael Riseley. That's a large pile of experience but the club has been active in re-signing many of its younger guns who have come through the club's local areas and there will be an influx of this year's talent from the under 18s. Some of the names won't be finalised until after this year's drafts but with an earlier date for the rookie draft, the club will have more time to work on its recruiting for next year. Jake Best, the speedster who was such a revelation this year, is a good chance to be drafted but if not, is likely to be back with the Scorpions. One of 2013's big improvers is Mitch Gent who had also signed on again although he might be a rookie chance. The Scorpions have launched a new initiative - an academy for local area youngsters - From Casey to Fremantle, Scorpions new academy a testament to trailblazer Alex Silvagni. Recently delisted Demon Tom Couch has rejoined Collingwood while former players James Wall and Rian McGough have joined Richmond's stand alone VFL team. Demon fans might recall Ryan Ferguson who once famously refused to be traded to Hawthorn in a deal which would have brought Brad Sewell to the club. He is transferring from West Adelaide to the now stand alone Williamstown. Another name in the news that's well known to Demon fans is Nick Sautner who has been appointed CEO of the WA Football Commission.

Former Scorpions captain joins Blackburn as assistant coach

Melbourne - in - add certification from WADA that any Essendon players involved in any deal have complete immunity from sanctions as a result of any investigation past or present into that club's supplements programme.

The leading votegetters for the Gardner-Clark Medal:- 1. Jesse Hogan (82 votes) 2. Evan Panozza (73) 3. Max Gawn (69) 4. James Magner (67) 5. Tom Couch (57) 6. Cam Pedersen (53) 7. Mitch Gent (48) 8. Luke Tynan (43) 9. Neville Jetta (37) Other awards:- Jarryd Drew - Rising Star Mitch Gent - most improved Jake Best - coach's award Luke Hill - captain's award Tim Smith - respect earner Aiden Lindsay - best & fairest (development league) A fine effort from both Hogan and Gawn who could easily be two of the MFC's most important players for the next decade. Mitch Gent enhances his prospects for this year's draft. And I don't know why James Magner doesn't get more opportunities at AFL level.