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On Monday night, the Melbourne Football Club handed out four life memberships. Two of those awards went to men who are long gone. Charles ‘Chubby’ Forrester and James ‘Jas’ Byrne played for the club in the 1870s, even before the Victorian Football Association was formed. The other two are current skipper Max Gawn and swingman Tom McDonald, who almost left the club at the end of the pandemic-affected 2020 season. Some fans might have raised their eyebrows and wondered whether the emphasis on history might have been a subtle message to the two surviving players but on Friday morning, both of them had left little doubt that they are definitely part of the Demons’ immediate future. The roles they played in their team’s 14.9.93 to 12.10.82 practice match victory over reigning premiers Richmond were significant. Gawn was not only outstanding in the ruck but he was also able to go forward and back to take vital marks. In doing so, he kicked a couple of goals and saved a few as well. Meanwhile, the trimmed down McDonald showed that he still had a lot to give to the club. His confidence has returned, he’s taking marks that were spilled in the past few years and he roamed far and wide across the expanses of Casey Fields to good effect. Together with young ruckman/forward Luke Jackson and the lively Bayley Fritsch and surprise packet Kade Chandler and Charlie Spargo, they assured the Demons of some potent attacking strength that many despaired might be missing in the absence of injured forwards Ben Brown, Sam Weideman and Jake Melksham and young small forward Kozzy Pickett, out for personal family reasons. At the other end of the ground, Jake Lever dominated in the rebounding defender role for which the club recruited him from Adelaide and he combined well with Steven May who also looks to be in for a fine season. Melbourne received great drive from Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver in the middle, Ed Langdon on a wing and Christian Salem and Jayden Hunt coming out of defence. They were helped out by Tom Sparrow and James Jordan and Trent Rivers looking to build on his exciting debut season. The above might sound like a glowing endorsement coming at end of February and mindful of the old adages about practice matches, March champions and April Fools. After all, the Tigers were coming off a premiership game at the glittering Gabba in their last match and here they were playing in a tree lined setting in late summer. For a club known for their attacking intensity, when the pressure valve is set at perhaps 10% below their best, the result of the contest often will lose its meaning. And the Demons still need to resolve a few problem positioning issues with their small defenders. In light of the fact that it’s still very early days, let’s put it all down to a good opening hit out with the main positives being evidence of a faster, smoother transition into attack from a team that has finally come to terms with the rules that changed the game after their break- out 2018 season and that the subsequent fall from grace might have finally been consigned into Melbourne’s history books. Melbourne 3.2.20 5.4.34 10.8.68 14.9.93 Richmond 2.3.15 6.5.41 9.7.61 12.10.82

The small crowd that ventured out to Casey Fields got more than its money worth (admission was free) after a mainly dour, lacklustre performance by the VFL Demons and Hawks ended in a cliffhanger with the home team coming home with a rush and kicking the winning goal late in the final term. Apart from a brief period early in the game, Casey had trailed all day after struggling to find the goals for most of the first half. The Demons notched up nine consecutive behinds (including a couple of posters) to the visitors' seven goals four before their star of the day Yilber “Bella’’ Zijai from the Sandringham Zebras via Noble Park posted the first from a free kick in front of the big sticks. Zijai had a great first up game both in the midfield and up forward and his three goals were crucial in the team's second half comeback. Ed Morris was his partner in crime in a midfield which eventually got on top in a second half in which the Hawks managed just one goal in a second half that provided a stark contrast to each team's first. Sam Frost returned from injury and showed great toe in defence and was rock solid there although he was clearly being held back in terms of game time. The Hawks were in fine fettle in the early going with their talls controlling the air and their strong midfield looking more polished and dominating proceedings. Josh Wagner was another player coming back from injury who worked his way into the game. Pat McKenna showed some good glimpses until injured. Dean Kent showed plenty of pace up forward in another encouraging performance. Tim Smith and Declan Keilty overcame quiet starts to kick three goals between them. Smith was often drawn too far under the ball when leading in the first half but was much better in the second while Keilty moved between the forward line and the ruck where he added mobility later in the game. Jake Spencer worked hard and eventually got on top against the Hawks' big man brigade which included former Melbourne Demon Jack Fitzpatrick who is no stranger to this ground. Tomas Bugg flashed in and out directing the traffic well and Jack Trengove held the midfield together before spending some time in defence later in the game. Bayley Fritsch who is highly thought of at the club but has had his injury woes kicked two goals. The home team missed an experienced pair in skipper Jack Hutchins and James Munro and relied very much on an inexperienced group of VFL listers who worked hard. Two players who were not on the official list were Aloysio Ferreira and Sandringham Dragons' Goy Lok. Both did well and the strongly built Lok booted a goal. It was certainly a game of two halves which mirrored each other in reverse. The Hillmen looked top heavy in the latter stages of the game and appeared to run out of steam as the new look Casey poured on the pressure to achieve what looked impossible in the game's first hour. Casey Demons 0.6.6 2.10.22 7.12.54 10.15.75 Box Hill Hawks 2.2.14 9.6.54 10.8.68 10.12.72 Goals Zijai 3 Fritsch T Smith 2 Bugg Keilty Lok Best Bugg Zijai Morris Kent Frost Spencer

The Casey Scorpions have announced a new leadership group to be unveiled on the eve of the 2015 season at their final practice match on Saturday at Casey Fields when they take on the Werribee Tigers. Evergreen Evan Panozza, in his 10th season, will lead the for the fourth year in a row. His vice-captains will be Mitch Gent, Ed Morris and Tim Smith. Nathan Page and two newcomers in Jack Hutchins and James Munro make up the rest of the leadership group. The AFL club lists will be posted tomorrow on the VFL website. The main game on Saturday starts at 2.00pm with the Development League game at 11.00am.

WHITEWASH by KC from Casey The Casey Scorpions who finished a lowly second-last in 2014, ahead only of the now defunct Bendigo Gold, finished the practice match series off on Saturday with an emphatic victory over a lacklustre Werribee Tigers to go into next Sunday's opening game with a 3 - 2 preseason record. However, as an indicator of the season ahead, the game really provided nothing. The Tigers were a lifeless inept opposition which produced very little pressure and, as a consequence, there is very little one can say about the home side other than every player beat his opponent and did what was expected of him. Jack Grimes marshalled the forces and, with skipper Evan Panozza, led the team brilliantly. Grimes finished the game with 30 disposals and a neat goal. The other Demon listed players also had a picnic with Jordie McKenzie, Matt Jones, Viv Michie, Aidan Riley and Jimmy Toumpas all putting their hands up for a return to AFL ranks. Likewise, the talls in Jake Spencer, Max Gawn, Jack Fitzpatrick and Cam Pedersen all had a picnic. Dean Terlich got better as the game went on and youngster Billy Stretch showed touches of brilliance for the future. Some of the players whose disposal is often wayward in the intensity and heat of the battle at AFL level , were constantly hotting targets, indicating how much leeway their opponents were giving them. There were good signs from the VFL contingent with newcomers James Munro, Luke Walmsley and Tom Muir all impressing and young goal sneak Angus Scott kicking three goals. All in all, pleasing but not much of a pointer for the future because of the lack of opposition pressure which cause the match to result in a complete whitewash. Casey Scorpions 4.1.25 612.9.82 16.10.106 Werribee 0.1.1 1.1.7 1.1.7 2.3.15 Goals Michie Scott 3 Pedersen Toumpas 2 Gawn Grimes Muir Spencer Best Michie Grimes Toumpas Spencer Walmsley Scott Terlich

Melbourne FC ‏ Watch @CaseyScorpions before tomorrow's game - they're playing a practice match against @Collingwood VFL at Olympic Park at 10.30am! Bernie Vince, Jack Grimes and many others will be playing - I assume.

A TOUCH OF HISTORY by Whispering Jack It turns out that Saturday 4 April, 2015 has gone down as an historic day for the Melbourne Football Club. It not only won an opening round match for the first time in a decade, introducing a bevy of first gamers for the club with an attractive new style of play, but even those on its list who didn't make it to the big stage on this day, were a part of history. Long before Eddie McGuire and his Collingwood Football Club occupied the Westpac Centre and the adjoining ground at Olympic Park, that place was known as the "Motordome"* and owned by another Collingwood identity in John Wren. Back in 1932, when Melbourne was known as the Fuschias, the team played three VFL matches there while the MCG was undergoing resurfacing works. The team was well beaten in all three contests including a 61-point hiding to the ultimate premier Richmond, coached by FV "Checker" Hughes in the first game. Melbourne moved back to its spiritual home at the MCG and late in the same year, Hughes walked out in the Tigers and joined Melbourne, turned them into "Demons" and won four premierships in the club's first golden era of the late 30s and the 40s. He remained at the club to see another six flags mentoring the great Norm Smith in the club's second golden era in the 50s and 60s. Yesterday, 16 current day Demons returned to the ground as part of their club's alignment, the Casey Scorpions to finally secure a victory after more than eight decades. They were Rohan Bail, Jack Fitzpatrick, Max Gawn, Jack Grimes, James Harmes ®, Max King ®, Oscar McDonald, Jordie McKenzie, Viv Michie, Cam Pedersen, Aidan Riley, Jake Spencer, Billy Stretch, Dean Terlich, Bernie Vince and Mitch White ®. The conditions were perfect for a practice match. I noticed Demon coach Paul Roos on the boundary fence before the start of the game, there was a good crowd in attendance and the weather was great. It was a such a pity therefore that Eddie's mob couldn't provide team sheets for the crowd or a scoreboard for that matter and it was difficult at times to pick up the Demon players let alone the Casey lads so please forgive me for any inadequacies in this report. The Magpies also fielded 13 of their AFL list and while the Demon contingent looked to have the greater experience, it was a solid workout and a close game for three quarters until the Casey team put on the afterburners and outran a tiring Magpie outfit. After conceding an early goal amid an early run of skill errors, the Scorpions controlled most of the opening term with Jake Spencer killing it in the ruck after a dreadful miskick to start proceedings. He got better and better as the game went on and it was he, and the strength of midfielders Bernie Vince and Jordie McKenzie, who kept the team on top for most of the game, the exception being in the second quarter when the Magpie runners were on top. Once the Casey forwards started presenting themselves, the goals came and the team exerted its dominance over the opposition. The team was a little on the top heavy side in the warm conditions with Max Gawn, Jack Fitzpatrick and Max King joining Spencer in the 200cm plus bracket but the height was probably an advantage as the Magpies wilted in the end. The Casey Scorpions are definitely set for a better season in 2015. They went into this game without a number of their leading lights from previous weeks and brought in a mix of experience in assistant coach Shannon Byrnes and stalwart Will Petropoulos and youth. Small man Nathan Paraedes was particularly impressive. The style of play was much more open and attacking than last year and I have little doubt that they will be a much better team to watch than they were last year when they finished second last to the now defunct Bendigo Gold. If the team stays healthy, they will most likely figure in the finals but whatever happens, they've already been a part of history. Casey Scorpions 3.5.23 5.6.36 11.10.76 15.11.101 Collingwood VFL 2.1.13 6.4.40 10.6.66 10.9.69 Goals Gawn Harmes King Paredes Petropolous 2 Riley Spencer Michie Pedersen Riley Spencer Best Michie Vince White Stretch Spencer Paredes HOW THE DEMONS FARED Rohan Bail - was in and out of the game and didn't have much impact. Jack Fitzpatrick - played a reasonable game, mainly in defence where he is learning the caper. Max Gawn - filled a number of big man roles but was best when up forward where he took some strong marks and kicked a couple of goals. Jack Grimes - generally played his role in defence well although there were one or two skill errors that he needs to iron out of his game if he is to fight his way back into the Demons' side. James Harmes ® - is really coming on as a footballer. Linked up well all day and kicked two goals for the day. Max King ® - had a minor role for the day and is very much at the back of the queue when it comes to talls at the club but he did kick two goals, one a nice running goal in the third quarter. He's a development player at the club and, at this stage, it's possible given the players available that he might spend a part of the year in Casey's Development League team. Oscar McDonald - showed some great composure in defence and should benefit from a year learning the trade at Casey where he will be under little pressure for promotion. Jordie McKenzie - showed out with his strength and experience and got lots of the football. One of Casey's best. Viv Michie - had a bright start but a bit patchy at times after that. Not as good a game as last week. Cam Pedersen - kicked a goal in the second quarter but lacked a bit of zip. Aidan Riley - hard over the ball and some strong tackling but struggled at times to compete with the pace of the Magpies. Jake Spencer - dominated the ruck and, despite the occasional Spencil glitch, he was very good on the day. He will provide ideal cover for Mark Jamar if and when required. Billy Stretch - real classy with outside run and good skills. I expect him to get a game in the seniors by the halfway mark of the season and eventually to be a long term player at the club. Dean Terlich - first game up in the preseason and was working off the cobwebs. Bernie Vince - really classy in the midfield and did enough to earn a call up for next week's game with the Demons in Canberra. Mitch White ® - a strong lad with a beautiful left foot kick. Might take time to develop but looks a handy acquisition. I heard Paul Roos saying in an interview that one of the considerations when recruiting is to look at the direction in which the game is going. I think White is somewhere in that direction. THE DEMONS WHO DIDN'T QUITE FARE Chris Dawes - suspended. I was told by a couple of people that Dawes wanted to play but did not get the necessary permission. Jayden Hunt - the speedster is still a month off but doing well in rehab after back problems ended his 2014 season. Matt Jones - sat out the weekend with emergency duty for the Demons. Alex Neal-Bullen - the midfield extractor from Glenelg is well into his recovery from a knee injury. Expect him back in a few weeks. Christian Petracca - on the long term injury list with an ACL. Jack Trengove - indefinite out with foot injury but reported to be coming along well. COMING UP Saturday 11th April - Casey Scorpions v Werribee at Casey Fields at 2.00pm (Development League at 11.00am) * For more on the Motordome, see this article in Demon Wiki

With the AFL having its rest week ahead of the start of the 2015 season, all eyes this weekend will be on tomorrow's World Cup Cricket final between Australia and New Zealand today's VFL practice match between Williamstown and Casey Scorpions at Casey Fields. The Seagulls are a stand alone team which had a good season last year despite ending their association with the Bulldogs while the Scorpions are rebuilding their side after a horror 2014 that saw them slip out of the finals for the first time since they began their alignment with the Demons. There will be some Melbourne players in this game with special permission to play (usually given if they have had interrupted pre seasons). Among the AFL senior listed players expected to play are Angus Brayshaw, Jack Fitzpatrick, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Dean Kent, Viv Michie, Aidan Riley and Bernie Vince. The Senior game starts at 1:00pm with the Development League match at 10:00am. I have an appointment at the other end of town but hope to make it down before quarter time and will report on the game from then. Team sheets Seniors 1. Evan Panozza 3. Patrick Rosier 6. James Munro 10. Mitchell Gent 11. Jack Hutchins 13. Lucas Walmsley 16. Thomas Muir 17. Edward Morris 20. Timothy Smith 22. Bryce Rutherford 28. Paul Pattison 29. Luke Thwaites 31. Dale Gawley 32. Kody Wilson 41. Jake Gains 46. Angus Brayshaw 53. Max King 55. Aidan Riley 57. Jay Kennedy-Harris 63. Viv Michie 67. Aaron vandenBerg 73. Bernie Vince 75. Jack Fitzpatrick Development League 2. Will Collis 4. Sam Waters 9. Jack Griffiths 12. Will Petropoulos 14. Daniel Welsh 15. Sean Corrigan 18. Brenton Hillard 19. Matthew Rennie 24. Keegan Mason 25. Liam Beacom 26. Ricky Plummer 29. Luke Thwaites 30. Bayley Fritsch 31. Dale Gawley 33. Nick Battle 34. Tom Wilson 36. Chris Johnson 37. Jackson McDonald 38. Declan Kielty 39. Luke Hannon 40. Tom Wyatt 43. Dale Johnson 45. Brandon Droessler 51. Jack Presnell

The Casey Scorpions Development League team lost to Port Melbourne by 6 points after a late goal to the Borough - 10.10.70 to10.4.64. 9. Nick Lang 14. Daniel Welsh 15. Sean Corrigan 18. Brenton Hillard 19. Matthew Rennie 21. Andrew Godfrey 25. Liam Beacom 26. Ricky Plummer 30. Bayley Fritsch 31. Dale Gawley 32. Kody Wilson 33. Nick Battle 34. Tom Wilson 35. Mitch Stanlake 36. Chris Johnson 37. Jackson McDonald 39. Luke Hannon 40. Tom Wyatt 41. Jake Gains 43. Dale Johnson 45. Brandon Droessler 51. Jack Presnell 52. Daniel Easson

Do Casey have a practice match this week or next??

The final practice match before the start of the season proper was a time for experimentation as the Scorpions took on the Hawks at Casey Fields. As was obvious from results of other games across the country in both AFL and VFL, the results of these games can be misleading and mean little in terms of the real season ahead. Casey fielded a list of 27 players but used a substitute system and changed four of its players at half time while a few of the Demon listed players were still finding their feet after injury interrupted pre seasons. The result was a team that lacked height around the ground, particularly in the forward line where Box Hill's height and marking power combined with Casey's shocking inaccuracy in front of goal conspired to give the visitors an easy victory in the end. The game started in conditions that were perfect for football with a light breeze and the cloud cover keeping things cool. Casey dominated proceedings for most of the opening term with James Magner and Tom Couch racking up the possessions on the ball but, for all their troubles, they managed a solitary goal and held a mere 10 point lead at quarter time. For the second week in a row, it took little time for the visiting side to turn things around. Two goals in a minute, one from a dubious free kick, saw Box Hill in front. Another free and fifty metre penalty saw them move to an 8 point lead before Casey regrouped and fought back to level the score but a couple of late goals gave the Hawks a comfortable 14 point buffer at half time. The breeze had picked up during the afternoon and Casey dominated the third term kicking to the southern end but, as with the opening stanza, the Scorpions were woefully inaccurate in front of goal and, as often happens, the Hawks goaled late in the term against the run of play in one of their rare forays forward. With Max Gawn off for the day during the latter stages of the final quarter and Cranbourne ruck recruit Michael Boland "subbed" off at the main break, the bigger, stronger Box Hill rucks and key position players took complete control of the game and romped home by 31 points. Dean Terlich and Tom McDonald were the day's two most prominent Demon players to put their hands up for AFL selection while 18 year old Ben Kearns from the Gippsland Power via Churchill, in his first senior game was dangerous around the goals and looks to be a player of the future. Casey Scorpions 1.5.11 2.8.20 3.16.34 4.17.41 Box Hill Hawks 0.1.1 5.4.34 6.6.42 10.12.72 Stats: Magner 36,Terlich 33, Couch 29, Davis 27, Clisby 23, Evans 22, J.Tynan 21, Barry 18. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Dom Barry - worked hard for 18 disposals and showed some innate natural skills. Needs to build his body to be right for AFL football. Mitch Clisby - good run out of defence and clean with his disposal. Thomas Couch - got a lot of the football but not always effective. Troy Davis - some great defensive efforts and is improving his disposal and decision making. Michael Evans - worked hard in bursts but we need to seem him use his pace and skills a lot more. Max Gawn - had about 2½ quarters before he came off. Started tentatively at his first ruck contest but was soon into it although a little trusty. Given that it was his first outing since late 2011 and he had little assistance in the ruck it was a positive start for him. Neville Jetta - showed great determination in defence and would be handy with the Demons. Dean Kent - a solid game from the youngster who will play in the AFL this season. James Magner - picked up 36 possessions in a quality game in the midfield. Tom McDonald - showed that he's ready to return to the AFL after that ankle injury. Good run out of defence. James Strauss - a quiet day but very effective with his disposal. Rory Taggert - tried up forward early with limited effect. Better when he played downfield. Dean Terlich - played a strong game as an attacking defender. Got a lot of the football and moved it well. Really put his hand up for selection against Essendon next week. Jack Trengove - a quiet day but seemed to be gaining confidence and touch the further the game went. Josh Tynan - worked hard in defence and looks to be an improver on last year.

VFL power house, Port Melbourne handed out a football lesson to the Casey Scorpions in their practice match yesterday. Smarting from their defeat at the hands of Geelong in last year's grand final, the Borough have produced another experienced list and covered their losses with the addition of some quality VFL recruits. Casey, on the other hand, has focussed on recruiting local talent, and despite the inclusion of some AFL names (a few of who were underdone and playing to regain some match fitness), it put a very young, less experienced and lighter bodied team out on the ground and was monstered physically by the Borough whose nine goals to two second quarter was outstanding and paved the way for its 64 point victory. To compound matters for the home side, Casey missed the run of Michael Riseley and Victoria VFL Academy member, Brayden Fowler, a tall key position player who would have been handy against the height and strength of the visitors. The loss of ruckman Jack Fitzpatrick who copped a heavy knock to the face in the third quarter didn't help either but, by then the damage was done and Port was in full flight. Most of the excitement from a Casey point of view came in the first quarter when the Scorpions dominated play with the aid of the breeze but spoiled it all with a one minute lapse late in the term which allowed Port to snaffle two quick goals, a forerunner to the carnage of the second term. There was a melee at the quarter time break which kept the fans on their toes, during which young Demon Dean Kent, had his number taken. Father-son recruit Jack Viney was a shining light in the game and was his team's best but the Scorpions struggled for most of the day against a well drilled Port outfit. Recruits Ben Hughes (who kicked the first two goals), Michael Boland and Jake Best showed out at times but, on the whole, it was a disappointing effort from the team which will present some challenges this year for new coach Rohan Welsh. However, the game should not be considered a great guide for the season given the lack of preparation most of the Demon contingent had coming into the game. Casey Scorpions 3.5.23 5.5.35 7.8.50 8.14.62 Port Melbourne 2.3.15 11.5.71 16.8.104 19.12.126 HOW THE DEMONS FARED Earlier in the week, 14 Demons were named in the possible squad for this game but in the end, only nine took part. Dominic Barry - didn't play. Will spend most of the season in the VFL. Sam Blease - first game up after incurring an ankle injury in NAB Cup 1. Flashed in and out of the play but really needs another run before he can step up to AFL level. Mitch Clark - the big test will come this morning. If he's pulled up well then he should play against Port next week because, although he was a bit rusty, he moved freely. He was even given a run further down the ground at one stage. Kicked only one goal but the delivery from downfield was nothing short of abysmal. Mitchell Clisby - had a few moments but is just settling into a new environment at present. Jack Fitzpatrick - didn't do a great deal to impress as a ruckman where he was out bodied by a bigger opponent and I think he's more suited to a forward pocket. Took a hit in the face in the third quarter and was taken off for the rest of the game. Dean Kent - did a couple of nice things. Reported during the melee. Tom McDonald - did not play which probably rules him out of a return for the Demons next week. Jordie McKenzie - got a bit of the ball in close and, apart from kicking into the mark early on, his disposal wasn't too bad. Nathan Stark - didn't play. James Strauss - didn't play. Rory Taggert - did a few nice things and kicked a goal but still early in his comeback given his injury and the time out of the game. Jack Trengove - took a great mark early on but otherwise just drifted through the game without imposing himself. Needs another run at this level. Josh Tynan - didn't play. Jack Viney - in everything in the middle and is almost certain to make his long-awaited debut for Melbourne against Port Adelaide on the MCG next Sunday.