KC from Casey

Sorry but Barry (my father) now resides in Queensland and will be making a comeback in May to report on the Casey Scorpions v Gold Coast game at Labrador in May. I couldn't make it to the game because I went to the Melbourne v Hawthorn game and haven't been able to discover much (other than the fact that Michael Newton kicked four goals and the team lost by 12). The Bendigo team was predominantly Essendon players with 2 or 3 Bendigo players who had AFL experience. About 10 Demons also played for Casey. If anyone wants a report on the game they'll have to make do with this (Bombers thump Casey) but you'd hardly know that Casey played at all. Skipper Kyle Matthews did not play but suffered an injury when bashed outside a pub (see separate thread).

I wasn't there today but a full strength Bendigo with many Bomber listed players gave Casey a bath. They won by about 12 goals. I'll fill in some more info. When I receive it.

You're with the pixies. The game's at Casey Fields and will be followed by the club's jumper presentation.

Thanks for all the reports of Casey's game. I suppose we should expect an emphasis on the 10 Demons who took part but for a different perspective, here's how the local Cranbourne Journal looked at the game - Scorps show stinging form B)

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.