KC from Casey

I received this from a Port Melbourne source moaning something about them being light on for numbers. Also said that it never stopped raining out there all day. Casey Scorpions 1.2 2.2 2.2 6.5.41 Port Melbourne 0.4 2.5 2.5 2.6 Goals Casey Scorpions Clay Cook McGough Nicholls Petropoulos Tynan Port Melbourne Galea Pitt Apparently, there were three players from Melbourne's squad who didn't get a run tonight - Cook, Lawrence and Sheahan. I suggest that they might have spent some time yesterday at Casey and that the goalkicker was Lucas Cook. The Tynan named as having kicked a goal was probably Josh's brother Luke who was b & f with the Casey reserves last year.

Saturday March 3 v Port Melbourne @ Casey Fields Seniors 2pm Development League 11am The Casey Scorpions begin their 2012 campaign under new coach Brett Lovett today at Casey Fields with the toughest of all opening hit outs - a practice match against reigning premiers Port Melbourne. It will be a new look Casey as well with many of its big name players having left during the off season to be replaced mainly by local players and youngsters coming up from the TAC Cup Under 18s. Gone from the club are last year's co-captain James Wall (Williamstown), leading goalkicker Brendan Fevola (Yarrawonga Pigeons) and club champion Tim Mohr (Greater Western Sydney) along with former VFL representative player Michael Stockdale who has joined Wall at Williamstown. A few others have also left the coop and to make matters worse, two promising youngsters from the club's main recruiting ground, the Gippsland Power, Maffra's Shaun Wyatt and Traralgon's Haydn Hector both relocated to Melbourne and also joined the Seagulls. Both were in the Vic Country Under 18 team last year and Wyatt captained the Power. Port Melbourne has also lost a few players from its premiership side of last year but has worked actively to replenish its list and should have a reasonably strong side out at Casey Fields. Their hosts will be a different proposition altogether today with few Demon listed players expected to be in action as a result of Melbourne's huge list of injured and unavailable players and its large squad involved in tonight's NAB Cup game. So don't expect miracles today in Brett Lovett's first hit out as coach. The day should however, be opportune for the club's younger players to show their wares in the lead up to the opening of the season against Williamstown which is only three weeks away. I'm still up in Queensland where the weather's been on the improve since the deluge that welcomed the MFC last week but I look forward to reports from those locals and not so locals who pop in to have have a look at the games.

The Casey Scorpions have their first intraclub match for the year on Thursday starting from 6pm at Casey Fields. II'll be up on the Gold Coast visiting the folks but anyone interested and in the area who turns up, feel free to post your impressions.

The lack of off season action has been disappointing so far as I'm concerned. The club has lost several seasoned VFL players including its marquee player of 2011 and has made no apparent attempt to replace them. IMO it will leave the club weakened and not really assist Melbourne's cause either because ideally you want the players not in your AFL side to be playing with and against the highest standard players to promote their development. This is important these days as you try to develop complex structures and systems of play. If you're doing this with blokes in your VFL team and half a dozen in the team are well below standard then you're going to have problems implementing your game plan. Given also that clubs often bring players back after injury in the VFL reserves, it's important to have sufficient depth all the way through the VFL affiliate club and that's why I would like to have seen some recruiting to replace those who have left. On a slightly different note, there's an interesting story in the Dandenong paper about a local junior club linking with the Casey Scorpions to promote and develop junior talent for the club. Burras in VFL pathway Sounds like a good initiative but one would also expect the club to do something similar with a club like Cranbourne which is in its own back yard.

Caleb Tiller who turned 21 years of age earlier this week and was drafted by Carlton in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft at selection No. 80 from the Murray Bushrangers is said to have signed with Casey this week. He spent last year playing for premiers Cranbourne Eagles in the Casey Cardinia Division of the MPNFL under coach Doug Koop, a former Demon and teammate of Casey coach Brett Lovett. Standing at 189cm and weighing 75kg, he was regarded as a promising medium-sized forward who has good hands and is a reliable shot for goal with a fierce attack on the football.

Appears so. One piece of news I have won't make Mr. jayceebee31 too happy. The Yarrawonga Pigeons have signed Brendan Fevola.

Happy New Year all - I'm back from an extended break and looking forward to the coming season. The news from out at Casey is that there's very little news. No big name signings and any recruiting is likely to be from locals. The reserves competition has been renamed the "AFLV Development League" and the fixture is now out for that competition. There's still a month to go before the practice matches but for the time being its all quiet on the Casey front.

2012 Peter Jackson VFL Fixture 2012 AFLV Development League Fixture The VFL 2012 fixture has now been released. Season 2012 will kick off on the weekend of Saturday March 24 when the VFL takes centre stage; with no local leagues or AFL played in Melbourne that weekend. The reserves competition will be renamed the "AFLV Development League". The VFL site notes the following about the Casey Scorpions' fixture:- CASEY SCORPIONS Brett Lovett will kick off the season under lights with Casey Scorpions against 2011 Peter Jackson VFL runners up Williamstown in round 1 Lovett will have to wait till round 13 to face his former club Sandringham. The Scorpions' 2012 fixture:- 1. Saturday 24th March Casey Scorpions vs. Williamstown @ Casey Fields 6:00 PM DL - Casey Scorpions vs. Williamstown @ Casey Fields 3:00 PM 2. Saturday 31st March * Coburg Tigers vs. Casey Scorpions @ Mantello Holden Oval 2:00 PM DL - Coburg Tigers vs. Casey Scorpions @ Mantello Holden Oval 11:00 AM 3. Sunday 8th April Casey Scorpions vs. Frankston Dolphins @ Casey Fields 2:00 PM DL - Casey Scorpions vs. Frankston Dolphins @ Casey Fields 11:00 AM 4. Sunday 15th April Casey Scorpions vs. Bendigo @ Casey Fields 2:00 PM BYE - DL 5. Saturday 21st April DL - Northern Blues vs. Casey Scorpions @ Preston City Oval 11:00 AM BYE - Casey Scorpions DL - Casey 6. Sunday 29th April Casey Scorpions vs. North Ballarat @ Casey Fields 2:00 PM DL - Casey vs. North Ballarat @ Casey Fields 11:00 AM 7. Saturday 5th May Geelong Cats vs. Casey Scorpions (AFL C/R) @ Simonds Stadium 10:00 AM BYE - DL 8. Saturday 12th May Box Hill Hawks vs. Casey Scorpions @ Box Hill City Oval 2:00 PM DL - Port Melbourne vs. Casey Scorpions @ Box Hill City Oval 11:00 AM 9. Sunday 20th May DL - Casey Scorpions vs. Frankston Dolphins @ Casey Fields 11:00 AM BYE - Casey Scorpions 10. Saturday 2nd June Northern Blues vs. Casey Scorpions @ Visy Park 2:00 PM DL - Northern Blues vs. Casey Scorpions @ Visy Park 11:00 AM 11. Saturday 9th June Casey Scorpions vs. Collingwood @ Casey Fields 2:00 PM DL - Casey Scorpions vs. Coburg Tigers @ Casey Fields 11:00 AM 12. Saturday 16th June DL - Box Hill Hawks vs. Casey Scorpions @ Box Hill City Oval 11:00 AM BYE - Casey Scorpions 13. Sunday 24th June * Sandringham Zebras vs. Casey Scorpions @ Trevor Barker Beach Oval 2:00 PM DL - Sandringham Zebras vs. Casey Scorpions @ Trevor Barker Beach Oval 11:00 AM 14. Saturday 30th June Werribee Tigers vs. Casey Scorpions @ Avalon Airport Oval 2:00 PM DL - Werribee Tigers vs. Casey Scorpions @ Avalon Airport Oval 11:00 AM 15. Sunday 8th July Casey Scorpions vs. Port Melbourne @ Casey Fields 2:00 PM DL - Casey Scorpions vs. Port Melbourne @ Casey Fields 11:00 AM 16. Sunday 15th July Bendigo vs. Casey Scorpions @ Windy Hill 2:00 PM DL - Northern Blues vs. Casey Scorpions @ Preston City Oval 10:00 AM 17. BYE - Casey Scorpions BYE - DL 18. Sunday 29th July Frankston Dolphins vs. Casey Scorpions @ Frankston Oval 2:00 PM DL - Frankston Dolphins vs. Casey Scorpions @ Frankston Oval 11:00 AM 19. Saturday 4th August Casey Scorpions vs. Northern Blues @ Casey Fields 2:00 PM DL - Casey Scorpions vs. North Ballarat @ Casey Fields 11:00 AM 20. Saturday 11th August DL - Sandringham Dragons vs. Casey Scorpions @ Trevor Barker Beach Oval 11:00 AM Sunday 12th August Casey Scorpions vs. Geelong Cats @ Casey Fields 2:00 PM 21. Saturday 18th August * Collingwood vs. Casey Scorpions @ Victoria Park 1:00 PM BYE - DL 22. Saturday 25th August Casey Scorpions vs. Sandringham Zebras @ Casey Fields 2:30 PM DL - Casey Scorpions vs. Box Hill Hawks @ Casey Fields 11:30 AM * clash with MFC game EDIT: 2012 AFLV Development League ("DL") fixture has been added.

It seems at this stage that Casey haven't replaced any of the name players who have left the club since the end of the season - Brendan Fevola, Tim Mohr, Michael Stockdale etc. I believe that James Wall and Rian McGough have also left the club and it appears as if Scorps might be relying on the new MFC listed players and some locals to provide the new blood.

Casey only gets to play those MFC players who aren't selected in the AFL team and since there will be the same number of players on Melbourne's list next year the net benefit in terms of players available to Casey = zero. What Casey needs now is to top up on its own list because the strength of every VFL club is dependent on its own player depth. With two key players already missing in Fev & Mohr the Scorpions need to recruit players for 2012 if they want to improve on the past two or three seasons.

Cripes, my iPhone spellcheck surely didn't cause that so I plead guilty to committing a human error. Please accept my apology Mr. Lovett!

It's going to be a tough initiation for new coach Brett Lovell with an opening fixture against 2011 grand finalist Williamstown:- Saturday March 24: Coburg Tigers vs Northern Blues North Ballarat vs Werribee Tigers Casey Scorpions vs Williamstown Sunday March 25: Frankston vs Port Melbourne Sandringham vs Box Hill Hawks Bye: Bendigo, Collingwood, Geelong

• Practice Matches - this information was gleaned from other clubs and around the traps & needs to be confirmed. Saturday March 3 v Port Melbourne @ Casey Fields Seniors 2pm Reserves 11am Saturday 10 March v Box Hill @ Casey Fields Seniors 2pm Reserves 11am Saturday March 17 v Frankston@ Casey Fields Seniors 2pm Reserves 11am • Season proper starts the weekend after the last practice match but the VFL has not yet issued its fixture. • I'm not hearing much news from the Scorps insofar as new recruits is concerned. • Families in Casey are invited to the 2011 Casey Demons Christmas Party at Casey Fields, Cranbourne East on Wednesday, December 14 from 4pm to meet and greet the players and coaches for next year. Christmas party with the Dees in Casey

Very excited about this selection. His brother Luke is also a quality young footballer who was Casey Scorpions reseves best and fairest winner and also played seven games for the seniors. This should give him even more incentive (if it was every needed) to cement a place in the ones next year.

I personally found Denham's reported comments re Austin Wonaeamirri both offensive and ignorant of what this young man has gone through over the past few years. As a big shot reporter for the Murdoch press I can understand that he lacks the necessary sensitivity to report on Austin's situation. He certainly hasn't been up with it while the young man battled with injury after injury and then with the passing of two important life figures. To use him as part of his irrational and idiotic vendetta against the Melbourne Football Club is nothing short of disgraceful.

Here is an item which I thought might be of appeel to readers of this thread and which I plucked out of my local newspaper - Bananas are yummy, Mummy

The Casey Scorpions have lost some key players from this year's list with the departures of Tim Mohr (GWS), Brendan Fevola (?) and Michael Stockdale (Williamstown) and are yet to appoint a senior coach for 2012 but pre season training starts next Monday. I believe that the coaching appointment is imminent.

There will most probably be more than just a change of coach at the Scorps. Marquee signing from 2011, Brendan Fevola is seeking a place on an AFL club list but if he doesn't secure one, has indicated he would try his hand elsewhere - even possibly as a punter (the kicking kind, not betting) in the NFL. Well documented is the fact that the Giants are keeping a place on their list open for tall defender Tim Mohr under the non contacted by AFL clubs rule. Small defender Michael Stockdale is heading across to Williamstown and there were question marks last time I enquired about the future of James Wall and Rian McGough. We're looking at a substantial overhaul on the playing side of the Scorpions in 2012.

From the Werribee Leader Werribee coach Paul Satterley takes assistant role with Demons Mentions the appointments of both Satterley and Jade Rawlings to the club's coaching panel.

Confirmed in the local papers that Michael Stockdale is leaving the Scorpions to join former coach Peter German at Williamstown - He's Mohr or less a star.

The word on the street is that this year's Gardner Clark Medallist for best and fairest player with the Casey Scorpions, Tim Mohr, is set to become a pioneer with the new Greater Western Sydney Giants franchise which enters the AFL next season. Former Tasmanian Mohr, who played seven VFL games for the now defunct Tassie Devils before joining the Scorpions in 2008, capped off a great season by winning the club's major award on Friday night with 97 votes to hold off Matthew Bate by 16 votes in a close finish with full forward Brendan Fevola coming in third on 61 votes. The 195cm 98kg key position player has shrugged off injuries from previous seasons and finally had a consistent year, playing mainly in defence although he was occasionally called on to pinch hit in the ruck. Mohr combines his size with good strength and speed and is noted for his long kicking. He will attend this week's AFL Draft Combine at Etihad Stadium along with many other draft hopefuls who are aiming for places on AFL club lists in 2012. The Giants' head of recruiting Steve Silvagni was just one of the AFL's scouts present at Casey matches this year and Mohr would most certainly have come under notice. The Giants can draft him under the rule that allows the new club to pre list ten uncontracted players not tied to other AFL clubs. Last year Collingwood secured Andrew Krakouer under the same rule after he was listed by Gold Coast and on traded to the Magpies. The fast finishing Bate can count himself unlucky to miss out. After snatching the lead by a single vote late in the count, he missed two rounds playing for the Demons and this enabled Mohr to hit the front again, a lead which he held to the end which came in the form of the club's crushing semi final exit against Werribee. Fevola also had a strong second half year to finish third. He was the club's top goalkicker for the year with 68 and was a narrow runner up for the Frosty Miller medal for the VFL's top goalkicker. He nudged out last year's third placegetter Matthew Warnock who had another great season at full back. Co-captain and a multiple best and fairest winner James Wall finished fifth ahead of future Demon ruck star Max Gawn. Mohr also picked up the Leader Media Award (as voted by club staff) and the $1,000.00 cheque that goes with it and, along with Rian McGough and Michael Stockdale, was presented with his 50th game awards by former player, current Fremantle defender Alex Silvagni. Another former Scorpion with the Dockers is Peter Faulks who recently made his AFL debut with that club. Wall and courageous co-skipper Kyle Matthews presented the 2011 Captains Award to youngster Luke Tynan who was also won the Reserves Best and Fairest award. Senior coach Brad Gotch was recognised for his achievement on coaching his 250th VFL match this season. By season's end, he was up to 264 games which puts him behind only Bill Faull and Gerard FitzGerald in the number of games coached in VFL/VFA history. Gotch's two-year contract has ended and it is believed the club is weighing up his future. Top vote getters (Gardner-Clark Medal) 1. Tim Mohr 97 2. Matthew Bate 81 3. Brendan Fevola 69 4. Matthew Warnock 63 5. James Wall 55 6. Max Gawn 49 7. Michael Stockdale 43 8. Tom McNamara 38 9. Addam Maric 34 Other seniors awards went to: Seniors Team Acts award - James Wall (who won this award last year). Seniors Players MVP - Matthew Bate. Senior Coaches Award - Matthew Warnock. Seniors Most Improved Award - Will Petropoulos. The Steve Harrison Rising Star Award - Mitch Gent. Trainer Bobbie Lee Blay was best clubperson. Top vote getters (Gardner-Clark Medal) Luke Tynan won the reserves best and fairest, the Snowy Fenton Medal. He polled 58 votes to win from David Bell (50) with Stefan Baumgatner (30) a distant third. Other awards to the Reserves included: Team Acts award Jordon Pollard, Players MVP Stefan Baumgartner, Coaches award Gus Patti, Most Improved Jess Bolton. Aaron Purves was the reserves competition's top goal kicker. In other news, it was reported last week that the club might need to recruit hard to replenish its stocks with, in addition to Mohr's likely drafting, defender Michael Stockdale tipped to go interstate or another VFL club and possible moves by northern suburbs residents James Wall and Rian McGough.

Congratulations to Tim Mohr who wins the 2011 Gardner Clark medal with Matthew Bate runner up. Brendan Fevola, who had a late start to the season comes in third. Leader board when counting finished: 1. Tim Mohr 97 2. Matthew Bate 81 3. Brendan Fevola 69 4. Matthew Warnock 63 5. James Wall 55 6. Max Gawn 49 7. Michael Stockdale 43 8. Tom McNamara 38 9. Addam Maric 34 That's a effort from Bater who missed a couple of games when promoted to the Demons late in the season.

Round 22 leaders: Bate on 81 & Mohr on 80. This is a tight one!

Leader board after round 15: 3rd on 51 Bate, 2nd on 56 Wall, 1st on 74 Mohr.

Thanks jcb. Please send your nomination to the Nobel Committee in Norway.