Search the Community

Final practice hit up for 2014 and what better opposition than the reigning premiers Hawthorn? I rate Clarkson and Roos as the two best coaches going around ATM and I'm hoping this will be the precursor to a great rivalry. That may well be a little way off but I certainly hope they all do away with the "it's only a practice match" line because this is the last (well almost*) chance for players to stake their claims for a place in the opening round. While it's true that it is only a practice match, the problem is that many of us said this last year when there were definite signs in last year's practice matches v St. Kilda and Gold Coast that things weren't right within the playing group. In reality, we couldn't ignore the fact that in last year's practice game at Casey, the team conceded eight goals to the Saints in a short space of time in the second quarter or that it meekly surrendered to Gold Coast after half time. These practice matches set the scene for our whole season. I believe we can expect quite a few of the players who missed the trip to Alice Springs and went on tour to Gippsland instead to play against the Hawks including some of the vital key position talls and rucks who we missed on Friday night. The result of the game might be of no importance but who plays and the way in which it is played is vital to our prospects for the season because we need to make a good start. * players who have missed the pre season matches through injury can get permission to play in practice matches with the Casey Scorpions including on the following week when no AFL practice games can be scheduled.