KC from Casey

In the interests of those whose eyesight is challenged, these are the teams:- Round 1 - Sandringham v Casey Scorpions (Sunday 12 April 2009 at 2:00pm) at Trevor Barker Over, Beach Road, Sandringham Casey Scorpions Backs Waite Silvagni Cheney Half Backs Matthews Wall Taylor Centreline Faulks Valenti McKenzie Half Forwards Jetta Newton Jurrah Forwards Liddle Robertson Maric Followers Meesen Dunn Stockdale Interchange (from) Bolton Collins Creed Jones MaCreadie McGough McLeod Matheson Mohr Scanlon Spencer Zomer Sandringham Backs Howard Gaertner Biddlecombe Half Backs Miles Maguire Clarke Centreline Paterakis Summers Gallagher Half Forwards Heyne Crowe Lynch Forwards Tregear Sautner Clarke Followers McGrath Fisher Armitage Interchange (from) Begley Connors Eddy Garrubba Gilchrist McEvoy Simpkin Waller Round 1 Reserves - Sandringham v Casey Scorpions (Sunday 12 April 2009 at 11:10am) at Trevor Barker Over, Beach Road, Sandringham Backs Whelan Snow Vernon Half Backs Strauss McNamara Panozza Centreline Chivers Collins Maskell Half Forwards Oldmeadow Hughes Bolton Forwards Schrape Moore Virtue Followers Patti Healey Blaser Interchange (from) Hillberge Crespin Mildren Lees Mazurek Terry Clay Williams Sykes Costigan

Casey Scorpions and Sandringham - Seniors and Reserves - HERE

And in the early game Casey had a comfortable win in the wet - 15.5.89 to 8.11.59. Both Tom McNamara and Rhys Healey of the Demons got through the game after long lay offs with injury. The purpose was to get them into stride and they were nursed into the game and interchanged a fair bit. Both would be happy with the way they went - McNamara showing a bit of aggression at times and confronting his Coburg opponents with some strong play.

SCORPIONS GEL WELL by KC from Casey The Casey Scorpions successfully rounded off their pre-season programme in wet and windy conditions at Casey Fields on Sunday with wins for both senior and reserves teams over Coburg. In the main game the visitors opened with the breeze and were first to settle down scoring early goals thanks to the early dominance of their midfield led by former Richmond best and fairest winner Mark Coghlan. The Scorpions struck back however, with John Messen rucking well and this allowed his on ballers to turn the tide. Up forward Russell Robertson, returning from injury was the centre of attention and he didn't let the crowd down. He flew high for a spectacular mark and goaled. Moments later Michael Newton goaled and soon after Robertson unselfishly passed to Newton for his second. Coburg's early start and its wind advantage had been nullified. With the change of ends the Scorpions began to assert their dominance over the game. Meesen was now in control in the ruck duels and Shane Valenti, Addam Maric Kyle Matthews and rookie Jordie McKenzie were getting the ball first out of the middle. James Wall was taking marks around the ground and Queenslander Rohan Bail was winning possessions and giving plenty of drive off half back. The hard work was finished off by some indigenous magic from Northern Territorians Liam Jurrah and Pierce Liddle. Casey enjoyed a five goal lead at the main break after keeping Coburg goalless for the second term. The wind strengthened after the main break as Coburg lifted. There was more urgency in the Tigers' game and they went long and direct. The goals flowed and suddenly they were back in the contest and it was only when they hit the lead that Casey moved to regain some momentum. Lynden Dunn was working hard and he goaled followed by another to David Collins. But Coburg was using the win well and struck back to hold a four point lead at three quarter time. Casey had the last use of the breeze and it was skipper Kyle Matthews who played a fantastic final quarter to bring his team home. Matthews threw himself in for the ball in a great display of leadership and his desperate goal in mid quarter sapped the opposition's resolve. Casey came home with a wet sail to win by 23 points. It certainly appears as if Peter German has the new alignment gelling together well but the first true test will come with the start of the season proper on Sunday when the team kicks things off at Trevor Barker Oval in what promises to be a most interesting start to 2009. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Rohan Bail - accumulated a lot of the ball running off half back in the first half and, whilst a little quieter after half time did enough to convince me that he's not too far away. Lynden Dunn - played well on the ball and impressed when he went forward where he finished off with a couple of goals. Threw himself into every contest as if he had something to prove to club selectors and should get the nod this week. Liam Jurrah - a really special player who will bring excitement and magic to the game. Has a low centre of gravity, can distance himself from his opponent in a nanosecond and can fly for a mark (although he missed a few in the wet and windy conditions). A few weeks off yet but the wait is going to be worthwhile. Addam Maric - clever and skilful, he wasn't really suited by the early heavy going but forced his way into the game as conditions improved. Had an excellent final quarter where he set up some great plays and probably worked his way into Melbourne's team for Port Adelaide next weekend. Jordie McKenzie - a decent effort as an inside player but not as outstanding in past weeks. Still, an interesting prospect who should develop at Casey this year. John Meesen - played the best game I've seen from him last week and was just as good this week. Won the hit outs, marked around the ground and showed out with good hands and was strong in contests. The big question mark is whether he can reproduce that sort of form at a higher level and I think we'll find out in the coming weeks. Michael Newton - went far and wide for a kick and put in a solid performance scoring three goals for the day. Had a few brain fades but seems to be settling down well at Casey. Russell Robertson - stepped straight into the role of the Robbo we know. Took a couple of hangers, kicked a goal, gave one or two away and would have pleased the club with his half a game plus 5 minute cameo in the third quarter before he called it a day. Should be back at Melbourne in 2 to 3 weeks. Shane Valenti - got lots of the ball and was good in the clinches on a day that was tailor made for him. Did nothing however, to suggest he should be elevated off the rookie list at this stage. Trent Zomer - solid for the second week as a defender. Zomer seems better suited there than in attack but will find it a bit of a struggle to replace any of the existing tall backs at Melbourne. Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 9.5.59 11.5.71 16.10.106 Coburg Tigers 4.2.26 4.5.29 11.9.75 12.11.83 Goals Newton 3, Dunn, Jurrah, Liddle 2, Collins, McLeod, Robertson, Silvagni, Stockdale, Valenti, Waite Best Meeson, Bail, Liddle, Dunn, Wall, Matthews

Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 9.5.59 11.5.71 16.10.106 Coburg Tigers 4.2.26 4.5.29 11.9.75 12.11.83 Goals Newton 3, Dunn, Jurrah, Liddle 2, Collins, McLeod, Robertson, Silvagni, Stockdale, Valenti, Waite Best Meeson, Bail, Liddle, Dunn, Wall, Matthews I'll do a little report summing up the game at 6.15pm

A 7 goal qtr to Coburg aided by a strong breeze saw them hit the lead on the siren 11.9.75 to 11.5.71. Robbo's called it a day and a few of the Demons rested for a good part of the qtr. Meesen continued to show strong form in the ruck. Lynden Dunn has been working hard around the ground and took a strong mark for a goal later in the qtr. Kyle Matthews is playing a real captain's game and is getting good support from Shane Valenti.

Casey doing it comfortably. Robbo's been lively and took his second hanger but his pass went astray. Scorps 9.5.59 to Tigers 4.5.29. Goals Liddle, Newton 2, Jurrah, McLeod, Robertson, Valenti, Waite Best for Casey - Bail, Meeson, Robertson, Liddle, Wall

An unselfish handpass from Robbo for Juice's second and it's a goal the difference at qtr time.

A hanger and goal to Robbo one of the few highlights at a wet and windy Casey Fields. Casey 2.2.14 to Coburg 4.2.26. Newton has the other goal.

Casey Scorpions v Coburg Tigers at Casey Fields Sunday 5 April 2009 This is the final practice game before the start of the season proper. Ten Demons have been named in the Casey seniors squad while two are in the reserves. Seniors - game starts at 2:00pm 1 Kyle Matthews © 4 Ben Waite 5 Michael Stockdale 6 Peter Faulkes 7 Nick Scanlon 8 Scott McLeod 11 James Wall (vc) 13 James Taylor 15 Tim Mohr 17 Rian McGough 20 David Collins 22 Ben MaCreadie 24 Pierce Liddle 31 Alex Silvagni (vc) 36 Josh Bolton 38 Kainen Schrape 49 Russell Robertson 51 Liam Jurrah 55 Adam Maric 57 Shane Valenti 61 John Meesen 66 Jordie McKenzie 69 Rohan Bail 70 Michael Newton 77 Trent Zomer 81 Lynden Dunn Reserves - game starts at 11.10am 22 Beau Vernon 3 Ryan Creed 9 Matthew Moore 10 Glenn Chivers 12 Andrew Oldmeadow 14 Evan Panozza 18 Jarred Matheson 19 James Terry 21 Gareth Snow 23 Matt Rosier 25 Wade Lees 26 Gus Patti 27 Cade Maskell 28 Ben McDonald 29 Tim Crespin 30 Luke Williams 32 Clay Illman 33 Terry Mildren 34 Jack Mazurek 37 Jed Costigan 39 Sam Benbow 40 Dean Kelly 41 Aaron Hillberg 42 Scott Virtue 43 Brad Sykes 44 James Blaser Kyle Swinden 71 Rhys Healey 78 Tom McNamara

Frankston 12.15.87 defeated Casey 12.12.84 Ball was going into Casey's forward line as the siren sounded. The Scorpions left their run just a little late. They allowed Frankston to break away to a three goal lead early in the final term. Players like Sylvia, Newton and Valenti all lifted but the team probably didn't deserve to win because of their poor start. Jurrah and Maric sat out the last quarter, the latter being an outside chance of playing AFL in the next couple of weeks. Wall was the best Casey player. We also saw a very good debut from NT's Pierce Liddle who looks to have a promising future. The team missed skipper Matthews as well as Austin Wonaeamirri who pulled out with hamstring soreness.

I can confirm that Aussie is out because of a hamstring strain. Not good news and he'll probably be out for a couple more weeks and then he'll need time at Casey to recover full match fitness. The flip side of that is that Addam Maric is looking very likely as a goal sneak forward. He's clever, he's cheeky, he takes risks and the crowds will love him. I get the feeling that, at this level, he's too quick for some of his teammates but he's looking the goods. The other news is that John Meesen has been controlling the rucks and is getting kicks around the ground in what is easily the best game I've seen him play. I wouldn't say he'll be a dominating footballer at the level above because his opposition ruckman is no world beater. Liam Jurrah now has three goals but still looks to be lacking condition and needs more work before he can be considered for higher honours. Rohan Bail has added a lot of run and is moving well around the ground. Newton and Sylvia are in and out of the game and more is expected if they want to play in top company. Casey kept coming at Frankston and moved to within less than a goal late in the quarter before kicking a goal on the siren to go to a 9.12.66 lead to 8.7.55.

After conceding the first goal of the second quarter, the Scorpions lifted. The comeback from Casey was sparked by a couple of nice goals from Jurrah and a clever goal to Maric who is a class above most of the others on the ground. Newton and Bail got a bit of the ball and Meesen who is improving as the game goes on, won plenty of hit outs. A couple of moves - Zomer is playing down back while Stef Martin is playing forward with the odd run on the ball. Shane Valenti is getting his hands on the footy but is not always effective. The Scorps are getting a bit of drive from newcomer Pierce Liddle from NT. Nick Scanlon looks to be a dangerous player up forward. Peter Faulks and Ben Waite doing well for Casey. A late goal to Frankston sees them holding a 14 point lead - 7.7.49 to Casey 5.5.35

Casey struggling at quarter time 0.3.3 to Frankston 4.3.27. Best Casey player - Wall and of the Demons Maric and Zomer are the better players. Otherwise, most of the Melbourne players are struggling to be effective and, based on his start, it's doubtful whether Sylvia will get 9 kicks let alone kick 9 goals. Aussie is not out there at all!

Thanks. I should have worked it out!

Thanks Redleg. I will be doing a report on the game which will cover the better players from both sides. If caseyscorp is out there I'd appreciate it if he could identify number 2, a blond player called Andy who played well but whose name was not in the team sheet handed out at the ground. Casey dominated the rucks through PJ and Wall and they gave their little men first use for most of the day. Valenti and Matthews won a lot of the ball at ground level and the latter kicked a real captain's goal late in the game to effectively seal the result. More later.

Casey fought off a strong finishing Hawks to win by 10 points. All clear on the injury front from what I could see. A couple of the boys were getting iced up on the boundary and most didn't see out the game although that was probably intentional. Maric and Aussie only had half a game while PJ and Rivers had about 3 and a half quarters. The others somewhere in between and the rookies played out most of the game. Report later as reception is poor. Casey Scorpions 11.7.73 defeated Box Hill Hawks 9.9.63

Yes. Reception poor. Have to send in a report by carrier pigeon the way things are going. 3 Qtr time: Casey Scorpions 10.6.66 to Box Hill 4.7.31 Box Hill went very defensive and played possession football going out wide to keep the scoring down. Still anybody's game as the wind is strengthening. Valenti & Matthews getting a lot of the ball. No noticeable injuries in the Demon camp.

Half Time: Casey Scorpions 8.5.53 to Box Hill 4.6.30 Addam Maric with three goals has been exceptional in his decision making and ball use. Aussie and Shane Valenti have done well while the Casey players to stand out were Wall, Matthews and Silvagni. Goalkickers: Maric 3, Hillberge, Jurrah, Sykes, Zomer

Qtr time: Casey Scorpions 6.3.39 to Box Hill 0.4.4 It's a scrambly affair with Maric (2 goals) and Valenti starring. Other goalkickers - Jurrah, Zomer, Hillberge & Sykes

Jurrah's first goal. Scorps 2.0 to 0.2 - kicking with the wind.

I can officially announce that Liam Jurrah has just entered the stadium here at Casey Fields along with the Casey team and including the Demon contingent. As they warm up Aussie's looking particularly good with his slim body and new haircut. Conditions are completely different to last week with a hot dry wind blowing from the north. Casey reserves lost 9.12.66 to Box Hill 16.9.105.

James Taylor played 20 senior games with Casey Scorpions last year. Pierce Liddle is the Aaron Davey scholarship player with Casey who arrived from NT last week. It's definitely not the Box Hill Hawks list. VFL clubs are all trying out new and unfamiliar names at this time of year and there is always a high turnover of players especially in the ressies. The following players who are on the seniors and reserves team sheets for the Box Hill game were on the Casey list last year: Ryan Creed, Tim Crespin, Sam Gibson, Wade Lees, Jarred Matheson, Kyle Matthews, Ben McDonald, Tim Mohr, Alex Silvagni, Josh Singh, Gareth Snow, Kyle Swinden, James Taylor, Ben Waite and James Wall. Incidentally, I've only been living in Cranny for a short time and it's a great place to live .

The team list for tomorrow's games are out. For the seniors game at 2pm at Casey Fields the list is as follows with five MFC seniors and three rookies taking part in what should be a fairly strong first up team (unlike Sandy in recent years, the Scorpions players are young with no one older than 24 and apparently no Nick Sautners): 1 Kyle Matthews © 5 Michael Stockdale 6 Peter Faulks 7 Nick Scanlon 8 Scott McLeod 11 James Wall 12 Andrew Oldmeadow 16 Chris Clay 18 Jarred Matheson 21 Gareth Snow 22 Ben MaCreadie 27 Cade Maskell 29 Tim Crespin 31 Alex Silvagni 36 Josh Bolton 38 Kainen Schrape 41 Aaron Hillberge 43 Brad Sykes 51 Liam Jurrah 55 Adam Maric 57 Shane Valenti 66 Jordie McKenzie 73 Austin Wonaemirri 75 Paul Johnson 77 Trent Zomer 80 Jared Rivers Bet this is the first time Jared Rivers has worn a number as high (or low depending on your perspective) as # 80. The Hawks list has a few of their younger players and recruits but none of their strikingly big name players like Buddy. Not even the Oooze. The Reserves team for the game starting at 11am is: 3 Ryan Creed 4 Ben Waite 13 James Taylor 15 Tim Mohr 16 Chris Clay 20 David Collins 21 Gareth Snow 23 Matt Rosier 24 Pierce Liddle 25 Wade Lees 26 Gus Patti 28 Ben McDonald 34 Jack Mazurek 35 Josh Singh 37 Jed Costigan 38 Kainen Schrape 39 Sam Benbow 40 Dean Kelly 42 Scott Virtue 43 Brad Sykes 45 James Dean Liam Donnelly Kyle Swinden Terry Mildren Sam Gibson # 13 is one of my favourites so I'm going down there early to see if he can play footy as well as he can sing. I'm a bit worried about # 45 though - it seems that the rumours about his tragic departure were exaggerated . Thanks to Casey Scorpions for making the lists available.

Thanks to some smart recruiting work from Demon star Aaron Davey, Liam Jurrah will not be the only Northern Territorian to swap a Magpie guernsey for the red and blue this year. Davey has helped recruit courageous Palmerston Magpies utility player and skipper of the NT Under 18's Pierce Liddle to the Casey Scorpions for 2009. The lightly built 185cm midfielder missed out on the the December rookie draft and had been selected to take a place in the first squad for the new Northern Territory Thunder team which is due to make its debut in the AFLQ competition against Southport on April 4. However, the 18 year old Liddle was persuaded by Davey to take his chances in Melbourne with the Scorpions. Demon recruiting manager Barry Prendergast also put in a good word and the right footed speedster will now be seen around Casey Fields this year. He will probably be under the watchful eye of the large indigenous contingent from Melbourne including Jurrah who also swapped his black and white vertical striped jumper (the Yuendumu Magpies) for the more striking red and blue colours of Melbourne when he was snapped up as first pick in the 2009 Pre Season Draft. Liddle was one of four players from the elite NT Thunder under-18 program selected by AFLNT game development manager Jarrod Chipperfield to train with AFL club Western Bulldogs last year.