Dees_In_October

Confirmed! List complete and a bit of a steal I think to finish it off. Duffy at Harris's feet is a nice prospect.

It's a pass for the last pick. To re-cap, that brings the list to 29: 23 existing, Wilson (Carlton), Ivey (Geelong), Mackin (rookie), Chaplin (pick 44), Johnson (pick 49), Gall (pick 72). Not counted are Colvin and Watt, both on the inactive list. Time will tell, but as of tonight we can say we've picked some future champions of the mighty Dees!

It's not an AFLW draft without a bit of cross-code action. Interesting pick, one for the future.

While we wait for the next pick, another Casey Demon selected. This time it's Charlotte Blair, who put together some good games after coming up from the NAB league. She goes to Collingwood at #56.

The Dees are going with the devils they know, in a good way. Definitely some handy back-up and one that will stand up physically to AFLW.

Welcome back! Has been going great guns at Casey. Didn't realise she was quite so young either.

A long wait for the Dees to get in on the action with picks 44 (24), 49 (27), 72 (39), 79 (43). But some good news from the first rounds with a few Casey players picked up: 22. Hawthorn - Lucy Wales (Casey Demons) 32. Essendon - Stephanie Wales (Casey Demons) That was some good predicting on the Wales twins by you, @Meggs

With Casey's VFLW season over, thought I'd update this. Obviously, been a bit of a dip since, but 82% is still impressive across four leagues. Finals are included: AFL Men's = 11/14 AFL Women's = 11/13 Grand Finalist VFL Men's = 12/12 VFL Women's = 12/17 Prelim Finalist

Casey's best VFLW season yet has come to an end, going down to the Southern Saints in the Prelim Final. CASEY 1.0.6 1.06 1.1.7 2.3 (15) SOUTHERN SAINTS 1.2.8 3.3.21 5.5.35 5.5 (35) GOALS: McCrossan Mitchell DISPOSALS: Chaplin, Wales 19, Hogg 17, Johnson 16, McCrossan 14 BEST: Chaplin, S.Wales, Hogg, Grant, Johnson A disappointing end to the season, but the loss was certainly not due to lack of effort, exemplified by Johnson's astounding 15 tackles. But it was what the Dees were able to achieve with the ball compared to their opponents that proved a challenge. Casey started well, dominating the first quarter and hitting the scoreboard via some good crumbing and a nice snap by McCrossan. The Saints hit back late in the first, and the game turned in their favour, as they showed better composure with a wet footy despite plenty of pressure from Casey. Chaplin was again a big contributor, while Grant did her best against a talented forward line. Hogg and Johnson lead from the front as usual. S. and L.Wales both fought hard while Mitchell made the best of limited opportunities, rewarded with a late goal. Stats Stand-outs S.Wales - 19 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 12 hit outs Chaplin - 19 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 8 clearances Hogg - 17 disposals, 4 clearances Johnson - 16 disposals, 15 tackles, 2 clearances McCrossan - 1 goal, 14 disposals, 6 tackles Mitchell - 1 goal, 12 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles Fairchild - 11 tackles L.Wales - 22 hit outs NEXT: The AFLW draft is Wednesday 29th, so best of luck to all Casey ex-Dees in the mix. This season has seen several players recruited from Casey and snatched up from the fringes of Melbourne's list. By the time finals rolled around for VFLW, there'd been a fair bit of talent gone from the team. That's the nature of the competition, and it was great to see so many players get an opportunity at VFLW level, several for the first time. The development happening at the club is clearly of a good standard and the year-on-year improvement despite a disjointed 2020 and 2021 has been solid. Onwards and upwards!

More info re the Wales twins in case you missed it @Meggs https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1150993/two-sets-of-two-inside-casey-s-twin-stars

Didn't get a chance to check out the Semi Final before someone spoiled the score for me! Which didn't exactly motivate me to watch... ESSENDON 1.1 7.3 9.6 11.10 (76) CASEY 0.3 0.3 0.3 1.3 (9) GOALS: Dowler DISPOSALS: Grant, Brown 15, Chaplin 14, Harasimiuk 13, Hogg 12, S. Wales 11 BEST: Chaplin, Grant, Hogg, Brown, L. Wales, Harasimiuk, S. Wales Here's the MFC report for a game I think most will be quick to move on from! https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1153019/vflw-dees-fall-short-of-bombers Indisputable that Essendon are a strong team building towards AFLW, while Casey fielded a side to reflecting its VFLW program. As predicted, it looks like the lack of forward targets to generate set shots (a theme of the season) was shown up here and Essendon were clearly superior around the ball and with more firing power up forward. NEXT: Prelim Final v Southern Saints, ETU Stadium Port Melbourne, 4:05pm, Sunday 26 June. This is to win the chance to meet Essendon again in the Grand Final.

Her highlights look like what we've come to expect from the Irish recruits: speed, line-breaking ability and plenty of run. Maybe a bit of that X-factor we need in the forward half if all goes well. Lots of praise from Irish fans responding to the news. "Super star" "super footballer and athlete" is how they describe her. And AFLW Ireland has helped out with the pronunciation: Looking forward to watching what Blaithin can bring in the red and blue.

I remember when Gillard was drafted they said that would make her close to tallest in AFLW at the time. She and Caris are both 190cm. This being Lucy's first year in VFLW, those are some good signs. Both Wales are basketballers as well. It seems they haven't come through footy pathways like NAB league etc.

Yeah, both have put together some good games, with Lucy particularly influential in the ruck. I agree we ideally need Gillard, Zanker etc. taking or developing in the positions you mention. In terms of back-up rucks, there's also Caris, who did play games earlier this year. It's a gamble. It seems unlikely there'll be a serviceable ruck available to us in the draft. So a ruck/depth defender whose game is a known entity could be a smart choice.

ELIMINATION FINAL After a tight contest in the first quarter, in which Collingwood had much of the play, the Demons built off a strong defensive effort to take control in the second. It was a really switched on and professional performance to the end that saw Casey win its first ever final in the VFLW! A great result for the VFLW program off the back of five years of effort. Kudos to all involved. CASEY 1.0.6 4.1.25 4.3.27 7.3.45 COLLINGWOOD 0.0.0 0.2.2 1.3.9 1.4.10 Casey goalkickers: McCrossan 3 Angelis Harasimiuk Mitchell Dowler Casey disposal leaders: Hogg 23 Grant 18 Chaplin 17 McCrossan West 14 VFLW standouts: McCrossan – 3 goals, 14 disposals. Really crafty around the forward line and had a hand in many of Casey's goals. Hogg – 23 disposals, 4 tackles, 6 clearances. A real leader's game, a great competitor with poise and hardness when needed. Chaplin – 17 disposals, 5 marks, 7 tackles. Directed traffic off the back line and had numerous key defensive stops. Grant – 18 disposals, 3 marks. Cut off many forays forward by the Pies and helped set up attack the other way with effective disposal. Wales – 27 hit outs, 12 disposals, 3 clearances. Another strong ruck performance with great presence around the ground too. Also liked the game of Angelis (5 marks), who provided the marking option that this forward line often lacks. She showed some footy smarts and has a reliable set shot when she gets the chance. AFLW-listed: West – 14 disposals, 6 tackles, 4 clearances. Another good game with some strong midfield extractions and classy work by hand. Gillard – 8 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles. An influential game with great positioning, becoming a brick wall down the line that the Pies struggled to pass. Campbell – 2 disposals, 2 tackles, 7 hit outs. A quiet game but plenty of opportunity to improve in a big game next week. NEXT: It's a tough ask and a big challenge against an undefeated Essendon outfit who've had a dominant season. The winner goes through to the Grand Final, while the loser gets a second change in the Prelim. Second Semi Final: 11:05am, Sunday June 19, Windy Hill.

On the surface signing on a 34 year-old ruck who'll miss this season with an ACL seems unwise... But she'll go straight onto the inactive list, so won't take up a list spot. An ex-captain and described as a 'heart and soul' player for the Saints, so their decision to delist has not been well received. Apparently Melbourne listened to her ex-teammate's endorsement:

I guess not! By my reckoning, we've got 24 existing players listed, plus Ivey and Wilson. So 26. Updated Vic picks are 24, 27, 42, 51. Possibly could still elevate Goldrick and/or West from the rookie list if there are options there.

Petrevski departure made official and we've also lost youngster Simmons, who was yet to crack the team and had just made it back from injury into VFLW. https://www.womens.afl/news/94656?_ga=2.60496302.249922842.1654152283-2039777732.1654152283 Changes so far: IN OUT Wilson (Carlton) Pick 42 (Vic 23) Ivey (Geelong); Pick 51 (Vic 26) Parry, Scott (Geelong) Pick 50 Petrevski, Simmons (WC), Pick 77 Tarrant (Sydney)

Thanks Meggs. West, yeah, a remarkable rise. The kick - I was going to mention in a previous report but decided to refrain to wait and see some more. But on a small sample, I would say her technique has improved even since the AFLW season...in the sense that she has more of a technique. Though not the actual target-hitting part yet. It's not that she has bad habits formed, though, so just needs to get the hours in. Maybe one for Chocco and his taped footies :) I really hope we can keep Gillard. Goes against the usual wisdom about tall players' development - and she's the tallest of them all!

Experience and versatility - sounds good to me! Figure she'll play forward for us and hopefully be the lead-up marking target we've lacked.

Carlton fans not happy, say she didn't get enough game time this season. So that's a good sign. Definitely fills a need of ours. Also has Grand Final experience from 2019.

Sorry to see Scott go as an original player and one who gave a lot, often under the radar, in seasons past. I thought she might sneak in another season with us, even as depth. She obviously wants to play on, good for her, and expansion has helped with that. Seems like a win-win for all involved. Her experience will be highly valued at the Cats. Finger's crossed! So far, so good, I reckon. Agree Chaplin would be a good one to bring back on if possible. I really really really hope so. Apparently the new pay deal has caught attention in Ireland, so maybe she's got some more mates she can bring as rookies, too.

VFLW Round 14 Looking at the score you wouldn’t necessarily think this game was anything to write home about, but make no mistake, this was a really close, tough, contested game, with finals-like intensity. I’m pleased to report that Casey was more than able to match Essendon in this regard. The Demons had plenty of chances to take the game away from Essendon but just lacked the polish going forward to finish it off. They were without a big forward target and had to scrounge their goals on the fly. Casey dominated the clearances for much of the game; no mean feat against a powerful Dons side. The backline is also to be commended for keeping a star-studded forward line mostly under control. Casey was right in the game til the end and had some late chances but just couldn’t land a final blow, while Essendon were deadly with fewer opportunities throughout the game. ESSENDON 1.0 2.0 3.2 4.3.27 CASEY 0.2 1.4 2.8 2.9.21 Casey goalkickers: Fitzsimon 2 Casey disposal leaders: West 32, Johnson 28, Hogg, S.Wales 16, Fitzsimon 15 VFLW standouts: Blair – 10 disposals, 6 tackles, 2 clearances. While not in the best, she had some good moments, and showed some real run and flair in her second game for Casey. Hogg – 16 disposals, 4 tackles, 4 clearances. Another great game. Johnson – 28 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 6 clearances. Influential game—hitting the scoreboard for a major was the only part missing to top it off. S.Wales – 16 disposals, 26 hit outs, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 3 clearances. Played her part in the ruck in a game with plenty of ball ups plus got involved around the ground. AFLW-listed: Brown – 13 disposals, 6 tackles. Had some important moments and good under pressure. A bit of a forgotten player at AFLW level last season but could be handy. Campbell – 7 disposals, 4 marks, 5 hit outs. Has built her game across the season, crashing packs with more regularity and slowly but surely starting to take the marks she’s capable of. Chaplin – 9 disposals, 4 marks. Strong under pressure down back and often creative with the footy in hand in some tight situations. Fitzsimon – 2 goals, 15 disposals, 7 tackles. Clean and really classy around goal, which was obviously much needed. Gillard – 7 disposals, 4 tackles. Played in the backline and put in a solid game, showing off some more versatility. Heath – 13 disposals, 7 tackles, 4 clearances. Had a great start in the middle, finding the footy, and then played a big part given the contested style. West – 32 disposals, 9 tackles, 10 clearances. Another huge game. So good in close and busts through packs like few others. That brings the home and away season to a close, with Casey achieving their best ever finish in VFLW: 3rd. It's been a steady rise since joining the league: 10th in 2018; 8th in 2019; and 4th in 2021 (with the 2020 season called off). NEXT: Pre-finals bye and then an elimination final. According to the Second McIntyre Final 6 System, that will be a home final against 6th-placed Collingwood, who have a 7-7 win-loss record but have finished the season strongly.

Yeah, harsh but not surprising. They've always been content to weaken the established clubs during expansion, and as one of the most established clubs, yep, we lose out. They didn't 'punish' the successful clubs during the other expansions, so of course now that our success has shown through, they've added that while Adelaide have cruised along for years unrestricted. To be fair, we've done very well out of the previous expansions compared to most others, though that seems to be down to good list management and a good culture, plus very little 'go home' factor among the recruits selected (the latter being a big thing for Brisbane, for example, who initially recruited heavily from Vic). Again, victim of our own success. Of the three confirmed losses, only Tarrant qualifies as a loss to expansion so far. I don't know the ins and outs of the points system, but annoyingly I bet her points value won't reflect her actual talent - she'd have broken into and stayed in most other teams this season. Hopefully there'll be transparency about the totals as the trading unfolds. As for who else would be ok to let go, it's a tough one. Tarrant, Parry and Petrevski were the obvious ones. Then there's Scott (but she'd be unlikely to play on elsewhere). Magee - again, would she be picked up by an expansion team? Unlikely. That's if she's continuing Aussie Rules. Sherriff and Mithen if we're really that keen on the first round pick? At risk of being lured? No clue! The vibe is extremely positive, but it always looks like that from the outside. Who knows, maybe they're all deeply dissatisfied and we'll get to those 28 points with ease?