KC from Casey

It seems that quite an entourage of Demons will be playing with Casey on Friday night - Bate, Watts on show for Casey Unfortunately, yours truly is working tomorrow night. Anyone going down there ... a report would be most welcome.

Spoke today with a Carlton supporter. At the weekend, Carlton's affiliate, the Bullants had about 13 Carlton listed players compared to Casey which had 6 Demon players against Frankston. We are 7 - 8 players light compared to a club like Carlton.

Full Time: Casey Scorpions 16.10.106 to Frankston Dolphins 6.9.45 fitzpatrick just took a nice pack mark and goaled after receiving a 50 m penalty just before the siren.

9 minutes into the last term. Casey 91-37. Gysberts wracking up the possessions. Juice has a kick for goal coming up from an angle. Pushed OOB.

Three Quarter Time: Casey 13.6.84 to Frankston 4.7.31 The Scorpions are in control although Frankston will have the advantage of the wind in the last quarter. Matthews and Wall doing well for the home side which looks to have picked up a handy recruit in forward Luke McDonald. Rhys Healey had a quarter and seems to have improved his disposal.

Jack Fitzpatrick goals after a pass from Stockdale. Casey leads by 51 points.

On the other hand Aussie has just gone off. He went for a tackle and came down touching his right hamstring. It didn't look too serious but watch this space. Casey 12.1.73 to Frankston 4.6.30 at the 9 minute mark. Third Term.

Quick goals to Stockdale and Healy give the home side a 4 goal lead. I would say Garland's day is over. He hasn't returned since half time. I think it was planned that he only plays half a game.

Half time: Casey Scorpions 7.0.42 lead Frankston Dolphins 4.6.30

Melbourne players in today's Casey v Frankston practice match: 4. Austin Wonaemirri 49. Jack Fitzpatrick 68. Jordan Gysberts 70. Michael Newton 71. Rhys Healey 76. Colin Garland

Ten minutes into the second quarter Casey leads 7.0.42 to Frankston 3.4.22. Jordan Gysberts is picking up loads of possessions. Colin Garland is blanketing his opponent. I'll be back soon with all the MFC player numbers for those who are going to turn up later.

At quarter time it's Casey 5.0.30 leading Frankston 1.2.8 in perfect conditions at Casey Fields. Michael Newton kicked two goals. Aussie quiet so far. Casey Reserves had a big win: Casey Scorpions 5.2.32 6.8.44 7.9.51 11.11.77 Frankston 0.2.3 1.3.9 3.6.24 4.6.30

The problem with the concept of a stand alone reserves team is the cost and the resources necessary to do it properly. It would end up costing the MFC a fortune and besides, what an embarrassment it would be for the club if we reached the finals and had only one or two eligible players available like we did last year when Casey played off against Collingwood.

Casey is about to begin the season with its fourth coach in as many years. Some quotes from incoming coach Brad Gotch. - SCORPS' COACH KEEPS IT SIMPLE The Casey Scorpions kick off their 2010 campaign on Saturday in a curtain raiser to the NAB Cup Challenge match between Melbourne and West Coast in a practice game against local rival Frankston (Seniors @ 11.20am, Reserves @ 9am). This will be followed by a tune-up against Northern Bullants on Friday 19 March and the Bendigo Bombers the following Saturday (all games at Casey) On boom recruit Scott Simpson from Geelong: On the pre season - SCORPIONS READY FOR SEASON KICK OFF Player numbers for Saturday's practice match v Frankston 1. Kyle Matthews 4. Austin Wonaemirri 5. Michael Stockdale 6. Danny Nicholls 7. Brad Sykes 10. Glenn Chivers 11. James Wall 12. Matt Fieldsend 13. James Taylor 14. Evan Panozza 15. Tim Mohr 17. Rian McGough 19. Mitch Dowse 20. Ben Macreadie 26. Gus Patti 31. Luke McDonald 41. Aaron Hillberge 49. Jack Fitzpatrick 68. Jordan Gysberts 70. Michael Newton 71. Rhys Healey 76. Colin Garland

Details of the Triple Header at Casey Fields this coming weekend: Saturday 13th March 9.00 am Casey Scorpions v Frankston (Reserves) 11.20 am Casey Scorpions v Frankston (Seniors) 2.00 pm Melbourne v West Coast (AFL)

Good question but please note that the Casey Scorpions are not the Melbourne reserves! In past years a MFC membership entitled you to free entry to home games and a discount for away matches. I assume this will apply again this year.

Football fans are a funny lot. More than one of the spectators at yesterday's intraclub game at Casey Fields confused the Reds player wearing # 4 with Jack Watts and the # 20's on both sides with Colin Garland. Of course neither Watts nor Garland took part in the game but this didn't stop one or two idiots from aiming their barbs at JW look alike Cam Purdy a Casey recruit from East Ringwood who did well in the game. I've managed to glean some information on the Casey top up players. It's not exhaustive but if anyone has additional information on the blokes I'll add it as it comes through. These blokes, many of them still in their teens, did a terrific job and their experience in training with the group and playing in this game should hold them in good stead in the coming season. Andrew Campbell (White #11) Glenn Chivers - 190cm 89kg former St. Kilda rookie, originally from Oakleigh Chargers played 10 games with the Casey Scorpions last year including the Elimination Final against Collingwood (Red #11) Mitch Dowse - 175cm 73kg from last year's Gippsland Falcons list via Heyfield, he was selected to play one game for the Scorpions under the 23rd player rule and impressed, kicking a goal (Red #46) Matt Fieldsend - De La Salle midfielder who tied for the best and fairest in VAFA A Section last year (White #6) Michael Johnson (White #35) Matt Lillie (Red #35) Cade Maskell - from Korumburra Bena in the Alberton FL (White #46) Gus Patti - 191cm 87kg recruited to Casey last year from Dandenong Stingrays and played 3 games in the seniors as a back up ruckman in his debut season (Red #20) Will Petropolous - 173cm 74kg Noble Park lad recruited this year from Dandenong Stingrays (White #33) Cam Purdy - a versatile key forward from East Ringwood (Red #4) Tim Smith - 177cm 77kg pacy small man from Seaford who arrived at Casey in mid season and was impressive enough to force his way into the team for 4 games including the Elimination Final (Red #33) Mark Weekes - from Oakleigh Chargers via Mazenod (Red #6) Dean Woodhead - 192cm 87kg from Drouin and the Gippsland Falcons (White #26) Chris Wylie - 196cm 88kg tall recruited from Poowong and the Gippsland Falcons (White #20)

2010 Practice Matches - All matches at Casey Fields Saturday 13th March Casey Scorpions v Frankston Reserves 9.00 am, Seniors 11.20 am Followed by NAB Cup Challenge Match TBA 2.00 pm Friday 19th March Casey Scorpions v Northern Bullants Seniors 4.30 pm, Reserves 7 pm Saturday 26th March Casey Scorpions Reserves v Mugrave 10.20 am Casey Scorpions v Bendigo Bombers * 1.00 pm * Bendigo will not be fielding a reserves team in 2010.

The Scorpions have also signed former Collingwood small man Danny Nicholls.

The Casey Scorpions website (www.scorpions.com.au) advises that Melbourne's Community camp in the Gippsland region will end with an Intra Club practice match and Casey Community Day on Saturday 13th February. The game will feature several Casey Scorpions players. The Intra Club practice match kicks off at 10:00am. There will be lots of fun for the kids, including jumping castles, prizes and giveaways. Casey Fields, 160 Berwick - Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East Melway Reference - 134 E7

Back on deck after an extended holiday and I haven't had the opportunity to make contact with anyone from the Casey Scorpions as yet. However, just prior to the Christmas break I noticed an item in Inside Football indicating that, in addition to Scott Simpson, Brad Gotch was keen to secure former Collingwood listed player, Daniel Nicholls and ex Geelong VFL top up player Chris Urie who is a Gippsland lad. I understand that Urie has elected to play with his local side and have yet to hear whether Nicholls has signed with the Scorps. Nicholls is a 22 year old rover type from the Stingrays who played one game with Collingwood in 2007 against the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco Oval. Gotch coached him for a couple of years at Williamstown in the time when the Seagulls were aligned with the Magpies. Generally, at this time of year there is always a high turnover of players at VFL clubs. I expect that there will be lots of new young blood coming in from the local area and TAC Cup feeder club, Gippsland Falcons.

I doubt whether that would make a difference DDDDC because the players in question will get plenty of opportunity in both MFC and CSFC practice matches including NAB Cup and NAB challenge games. The VFL clubs will have practice matches running through the relevant period so if the players are good enough, they'll get their chances.

The VFL Fixture for 2010 is out. Here are Casey's games - Round 1 Saturday, Apr 10 Casey Scorpions vs. Geelong Casey Fields 7:00 PM Reserves Sunday, Apr 11 Port Melbourne vs. Casey Scorpions TEAC Oval 12 NOON Round 2 Sunday, Apr 18 Casey Scorpions vs. Collingwood Casey Fields 2:00 PM Reserves Sunday, Apr 18 Casey Scorpions vs. Williamstown Casey Fields 11:00 AM Round 3 Saturday, Apr 24 North Ballarat vs. Casey Scorpions Eureka Stadium 2:00 PM Reserves Saturday, Apr 24 North Ballarat vs. Casey Scorpions Eureka Stadium 11:00 AM Round 4 Saturday, May 1 Gold Coast vs. Casey Scorpions Southport 2:00 PM Reserves Sunday, May 2 Casey Scorpions vs. Werribee Tigers Casey Fields 12 NOON Round 5 Saturday, May 8 Casey Scorpions vs. Coburg Tigers Casey Fields 2:00 PM Reserves Saturday, May 8 Casey Scorpions vs. Coburg Tigers Casey Fields 11:00 AM Round 6 Sunday, May 16 Casey Scorpions vs. Northern Bullants Casey Fields 2:00 PM Reserves Sunday, May 16 Casey Scorpions vs. Northern Bullants Casey Fields 11:00 AM Round 7 Sunday, May 30 Bendigo Bombers vs. Casey Scorpions Queen Elizabeth Oval 2:00 PM Reserves Saturday, May 29 Port Melbourne vs. Casey Scorpions TEAC Oval 3:00 PM Round 8 Saturday, Jun 5 Casey Scorpions vs. Box Hill Hawks Casey Fields 2:00 PM Reserves Saturday, Jun 5 Casey Scorpions vs. Box Hill Hawks Casey Fields 11:00 AM Round 9 Saturday, Jun 12 Casey Scorpions vs. Sandringham Casey Fields 2:00 PM Reserves Saturday, Jun 12 Casey Scorpions vs. Sandringham Casey Fields 11:00 AM Round 10 Saturday, Jun 19 Williamstown vs. Casey Scorpions Burbank Oval 1:10 PM Reserves Saturday, Jun 19 Williamstown vs. Casey Scorpions Burbank Oval 10:10 AM Round 11 Saturday, Jul 3 Casey Scorpions vs. Werribee Tigers Casey Fields 2:00 PM Reserves Saturday, Jul 3 Casey Scorpions vs. Werribee Tigers Casey Fields 11:00 AM Round 12 Sunday, Jul 11 Frankston vs. Casey Scorpions Frankston Park 2:00 PM Reserves Sunday, Jul 11 Frankston vs. Casey Scorpions Frankston Park 11:00 AM Round 13 Saturday, Jul 17 Casey Scorpions vs. Port Melbourne Casey Fields 2:00 PM Reserves Saturday, Jul 17 Casey Scorpions vs. Port Melbourne Casey Fields 11:00 AM Round 14 Sunday, Jul 25 Collingwood vs. Casey Scorpions Victoria Park 2:00 PM Reserves Sunday, Jul 25 Casey Scorpions vs. Sandringham Victoria Park 11:00 AM Round 15 Sunday, Aug 1 Box Hill Hawks vs. Casey Scorpions Box Hill City Oval 2:00 PM Reserves Aug 1 Box Hill Hawks vs. Casey Scorpions Box Hill City Oval 11:00 AM Round 16 Saturday, Aug 7 Casey Scorpions vs. Gold Coast Casey Fields 1:00 PM Reserves Saturday, Aug 7 Casey Scorpions vs. Box Hill Hawks Casey Fields 10:00 AM Round 17 Saturday, Aug 14 Northern Bullants vs. Casey Scorpions Visy Park 2:00 PM Reserves Saturday, Aug 14 Northern Bullants vs. Casey Scorpions Visy Park 11:00 AM Round 18 Sunday, Aug 22 Werribee Tigers vs. Casey Scorpions Chirnside Park 2:00 PM Reserves Sunday, Aug 22 Werribee Tigers vs. Casey Scorpions Chirnside Park 11:00 AM

During the year it was announced by the club that it was instituting an Aaron Davey Scholarship for young indigenous talent. I'm wondering if it's possible to select him in the rookie draft and award him the scholarship? If this were done, then he would of course, start his career at the club by going around at Casey Fields so I do have my selfish reasons for making the suggestion )

I haven't had a great deal of time recently due to work demands to catch up with what's happening at the club. However, according to an item in the Williamstown News, Peter Faulks has signed with the Williamstown Football Club. Faulks has had a close relationship with German as they are both products of the Oak Park Football Club. This is a blow to the Scorps because Faulks had an outstanding debut season at Casey which resulted in him finishing second in the Scorpions Best and Fairest and it will be hard to cover for the 195cm key defender who played well on the best key forwards in the VFL last year. There were a couple of others at the club from that area namely Rian McGough and Chris Clay from memory but I haven't heard about what they're doing yet, nor anything about James Wall. The national draft has come and gone and I suppose the club is breathing a sigh of relief that none of its players have been taken so far (the PSD and rookie drafts are still to come). Alex Silvagni has been training with Fremantle and Northern Territorian Pierce Liddle was also in the draft mix (but more likely as a rookie). And of course, no club has claimed Simpson - yet. There's a good batch of kids coming through the ranks from Gippsland Power and locally and Brad Gotch is sure to attract some good talent to the club as he is a noted VFL coach with premierships at two clubs under his belt. Then there is the wealth of young and exciting talent introduced in recent years by the Melbourne Football Club, many of who will be cutting their teeth with the Scorpions during 2010. As long as the club isn't hit by the injury plague it suffered in the second half of 2009, there should be plenty of interest in the events at Casey Fields. It might be worthwhile bringing this sort of suggestion up when the club has it's next function. They're usually advertised well in advance on the club website www.scorpions.au