CASEY coach Justin Plapp reviews the Melbourne-listed players who played in the VFL
2016 Peter Jackson VFL
Saturday, May 14, 2pm, Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Casey Scorpions 19.19 (133) d Sandringham 16.6 (102)
From the coach …
“It was a really pleasing effort against Sandringham. We started poorly, but the players were able to regroup and we adjusted some things we needed to at quarter-time. The conditions weren’t great for footy and Sandringham was kicking to a five to six goal breeze. They scored pretty quickly and ended up being 39 points up at quarter-time. To our players’ credit, they were able to adjust some things and start getting the contest part of the game right. We ended up working our way back into the game and we kicked about 10 goals in the second quarter. We ended up with our nose in front at half-time. From then on, we felt we controlled the game and it was near enough to our best performance of the year, in regards to the quality of the opposition we played and the game style we were trying to play – and everyone bought into that. From that point of view, we were really pleased with the players’ efforts and once again, we’ve been able to get 22 contributors on the day, which we’ve been able to get most weeks. That’s why our performances have been the way they have over the past four weeks.” – Justin Plapp
Angus Brayshaw: Unfortunately, he received a mild concussion. He suffered a head knock early in the game, so he only lasted four or five minutes. Angus will be assessed this week and the medicos will look at what the next few weeks look like for him.
Chris Dawes: He had 13 possessions, kicked 2.2 and had two effective tackles. It was Dawesy’s second week back from injury. He looked like a player who had really improved from his first game, and he competed really strongly. Chris moved with the ball really well, and his second and third efforts were really strong. As the game went on, he really impacted. It was really pleasing to see Dawesy improve in his second week back.
Lynden Dunn: Dunny had 28 possessions and made several effective tackles. He was really solid for us in defence and was really strong in a lot of one-on-one contests. He came forward in a lot of contests, which we encouraged him to do. He set up a lot of our offensive play, because he kicks the ball well and can get some distance. Dunny put the ball inside 50 five times during the game, which was a really good effort. He competed really well and it was a really solid game for him.
Sam Frost: Sam played about a quarter and a half and then injured himself and took no further part in the game.
Liam Hulett: He had nine possessions, four marks and two contested grabs. Liam also kicked 2.2 and had two effective tackles. He continues to improve and develop. His past four games in the VFL, in the position he’s playing for us, has been very consistent. It’s been at a good level, so we’ve been really happy with his progression over the past month. His ability to be able to compete and bring the ball to ground and bring some of our ground level players into play has been very strong. He’s also been able to keep the ball inside our forward 50 to help provide more scoring opportunities. That’s also been a real highlight.
Max King: Max had eight possessions, two marks and six tackles. Kingy spent much of his time in the ruck and also up forward. We were really pleased with Kingy’s performance – and it wasn’t from a stats point-of-view. We felt his competitiveness was really strong and he certainly jumped at the ball, when he was at the centre bounce. He gave our mids a good look at the football and his aerial stuff is an area we’re really focusing on with him at the moment, along with his second and third efforts. So to get six tackles was a really pleasing result. He’s another tall, developing player who is going to fluctuate at times with his performances, but we’re just trying to get consistency out of him week-in-week-out.
Oscar McDonald: Oscar had 16 possessions, three marks and two effective tackles. He played as a key defender this week and played really well. His aerial work to halve contests was really strong, and his positioning behind the ball was really aggressive. It was one of Oscar’s better VFL performances. He’s heading in the right direction to get back and play senior AFL footy soon.
Alex Neal-Bullen: Nibbler had 39 possessions, which included 18 kicks and 21 handballs. He also had five effective tackles and kicked a goal. Alex once again continued to maintain a high-level of performance. His appetite for the contest and stoppage craft was really strong. Alex’s ability to win the one-on-one ball and provide us with some real inside contest work was a highlight. His past month has been really strong and he’s knocking on the door to play senior footy. He also maintains a high level of professionalism. He’s just really hungry to get his opportunity and full credit to him.
Ben Newton: He had 30 possessions, six marks, five inside 50s and 14 tackles. It was another really strong performance from Ben, playing an inside midfield role. He also spent some time forward. Once again, he backed up his performance and his ability to win the ball and bring teammates into play with his hands was a highlight. He gives us a lot of run and power through the middle of the ground, with his running and kicking ability. He’s another one who is knocking on the door, if an opportunity comes up at AFL level.
Joel Smith: Joel had 10 possessions, two inside 50s and three effective tackles. As a young first-year player, he continues to improve and really impress. His appetite for the contest and [ability to] make really quick decisions, offensively and defensively, and put his head over the football, was a real highlight on the weekend. He’s starting to grow and he’s starting to really get some confidence in his ability. Joel’s really surprised me, in terms of how quickly he’s come on. He’s got some fantastic assets and if he continues to apply that to his game, he’ll give himself a really good opportunity to play at the next level. I’ve been really pleased with Joel’s progression.
Jake Spencer: Spence had 13 possessions, three marks and kicked a goal. He also had seven effective tackles. It was Jake’s third week back from injury and he’s another player who continues to improve and build his game. He’s getting back to the football we know he can play. Jake was really competitive in the ruck and when he went forward, he provided us with a really strong contest in the air. His follow up work around the ground, when he was in the ruck, was also really pleasing. He also had 42 hit outs and had a big impact on the game.
Dean Terlich: Terls had 27 possessions, six inside 50s and eight effective tackles. It was a lot more rounded and consistent performance from Dean this week. He provided us with a lot of offensive drive and mid-forward connection. Dean defended well, and he’s a player we’re really working with on his consistency over four quarters. We felt that he provided that on the weekend.
Jack Trengove: Trenners had 26 possessions, three inside 50s and kicked a goal. He continues to track in the right direction with his ability to get back to full fitness. Jack played predominantly as an inside mid. He had six clearances, which was pleasing, so his body and craft work around the stoppages was really strong. He gave us a contest around the stoppages, which was pleasing. Jack also pushed forward and kicked a goal to finish off his day. He continued to play at a really high level.
Sam Weideman: Sam had nine possessions, four marks and kicked 2.1. He also had two effective tackles. For a day that didn’t suit tall forwards, Sam competed really well and he created a couple of goals off his aerial contest, which is a foundation of his game. He took two or three really strong contested marks and his ability to keep himself in the contest was fantastic. Sam continues to develop and head in the right direction. He’s trying to get the best out of his football and he’s certainly a competitor. Every game that he’s played his year, he’s been able to have an impact – from a contest point-of-view and his ability to hit the scoreboard.
Mitch White: He had 17 possessions, three marks, four inside 50s and four effective tackles. I felt it was Mitch’s best four quarter performance for the year. He continues to really improve his aerial and ground level contest. He’s a pretty hard competitor to play on – when his mind is really into the role he’s playing. Mitch has been taking really aggressive positioning in defence and he’s been getting good reward off that. He’s another young player who continues to improve and get better each week. Mitch is a very important player for us.
AFL Victoria Development League
Saturday, May 14, 2pm, Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Sandringham 15.12 (102) d Casey Scorpions 7.12 (54)
No Melbourne-listed players featured in the Development League
