Debut: 2011

Career matches: 2

Career goals: 0

Matches: 2

Goals: 0

Kicks: 16

Marks: 9

Handballs: 12

Disposals: 28
Tackles: 4

Todd Viney’s season assessment
Tom was really good. Due to the tall forwards scenario at Casey, he played more as a defender. He was outstanding down back. He was an old head on young shoulders - making good decisions and providing strong rebound. He forced himself into the senior team and played two AFL matches at the backend of the season. It was a really good year from Tom.

Round-by-round assessment
Comments made by 2011 Melbourne coaching staff members Mark Williams, Brad Gotch and Kelly O’Donnell

AFL: Round 1 v Sydney Swans
Rested (VFL practice match)

VFL: Round 1 v Geelong
Tom took six marks and had eight spoils and defended really well. He also kicked and used the ball well and rebounded strongly. Brad Gotch

 

VFL: Round 2 v Port Melbourne
Tom again showed he was developing nicely at centre half-back. Brad Gotch

VFL: Round 3 v North Ballarat
Tom was the one tall who was put out a bit, because North Ballarat didn’t have a lot of talls in its side. I played him back and forward. His second half was better than his first half, but I didn’t have him on a lot before half-time. He was good though with his opportunities. Brad Gotch

VFL: Round 4 - Bye

VFL: Round 5 v Frankston
Tom was up and down, but his highs were good. His marking, ability to rebound and help his teammates in defence were very good. He made a few skill execution and decision-making errors, but that was part of being a young player learning the role. Tom played across half-back, provided some rebound and got 19 possessions. Brad Gotch

 

VFL: Round 6 v Northern Bullants
When our talls went down, Tom had to do some work in the ruck, which was a big ask against Shaun Hampson. He did a good job considering what he had to do. Tom also played back and forward, so it was an interesting day for the young fella, but he did well. Brad Gotch

VFL: Round 7 v Bendigo Bombers
Tom was versatile. He played back and went into the ruck and helped out Max Gawn. Tom was actually pretty mobile for a ruckman - he used it well when he got it. Brad Gotch

VFL: Round 9 v Williamstown   
Tom was good. He played in the backline and then went into the ruck to help Max Gawn, when he had a spell. Tom also moved forward. He finished with seven marks and 13 possessions and is going to be a very good player. He continued to develop nicely. Brad Gotch

Tom had another very good game, playing more of a defensive role than anywhere else. He also did a bit of work in the ruck at times, just to help out Robert Campbell. He didn’t go forward that often, because with the wind the way it was, we didn’t need any other targets. He got plenty of the ball, gave us a good ruck contest and ran around the ground. Brad Gotch

Tom played centre half-back most of the game - I didn’t put him in the ruck. He had 18 possessions again and continued to provide good value. Tom did a good job on his man - he went for his marks and tried to run and create. He continued to progress really well. Brad Gotch

VFL: Round 12 v Coburg Tigers
Tom had been ill that morning and still felt sick heading into the game, which wasn’t ideal. Brad Gotch

 

 

Tom took five marks, which was a big improvement on his previous match. He provided some fine run and carry from defence, which was important. He had a disappointing five-minute period in the third term, when he didn’t chase hard enough. Brad Gotch

 

VFL: Round 15 v Box Hill Hawks    
Tom kept finding the football. For a big guy, he had 17 touches, and was on and off a bit, because we weren’t able to be too tall. Every time he came on, he was able to get involved in play, which was really good. Brad Gotch

Tom was good with his run and rebound. He started well down back, but had a quieter second quarter, before coming back in the third. Brad Gotch

AFL: Round 20 v Carlton (emergency)/VFL: Round 19 v Sandringham
We really missed Tom last match. He is a big guy, who contributed, not only at contests, but gave us great rebound from defence. He really made a difference. Tom is a young player, who has a mature attitude and it showed in this match. He was really solid and was a valuable part of the defensive unit chemistry. Brad Gotch

AFL: Round 21 v West Coast Eagles (emergency)/VFL: Round 20 v Coburg Tigers
Tom was used back and forward with Rob Campbell going down injured. He played a fair bit at centre half-forward. He had 10 touches, four marks and seven team acts for the day. Brad Gotch

VFL: Round 21 v Werribee Tigers
Tom’s spoiling was excellent. He had 10 for the match, but needed to keep working on his strength - his defensive positioning. Brad Gotch

Tom was excellent in his first AFL match. Defensively, he was very good. He was only beaten once in one-on-one contests. Offensively, he showed great composure and used the ball well in transition. Tom would’ve taken enormous confidence from this very solid debut. Mark Williams

AFL: Round 24 v Port Adelaide
Tom played on Justin Westhoff. He held him well until late in the game, when Westhoff got away from him. Tom gained great experience and belief from his two late games. He will no doubt use this experience to set himself up for 2012. Mark Williams

VFL: Semi-final v Werribee Tigers
Tom didn’t use the ball with his normal efficiency, but he still had an impact on the game. He competed well, and ran and carried the ball out of defence. Kelly O'Donnell