AFTER three rounds, the Casey Scorpions remains one of three VFL teams undefeated.

It’s a fine start by Melbourne’s affiliate, which has contained a strong contingent of Demons.

Backline development coach Andrew Nichol, who works closely with alignment, says it’s been a positive start.  

“Three [wins], zip [losses] is a good start to the year. We’ve had good wins over Frankston at home, up at North Ballarat two weeks ago, which is always a tough ask, and then a comprehensive win against Essendon at Windy Hill last weekend,” he said.

“This week, we’ve got Williamstown, who are a seriously good football side and then Port Melbourne the following week, so we’ll get a pretty good indication [of where we’re at] over the next two weeks, leading into the first bye.

“It will be good to see where the whole group sits in terms of the competition.”

Nichol said 1993 Carlton grand final player Rohan Welsh, who took over as Casey coach this season after guiding the under 18 Vic Metro team, had been instrumental so far this year. He said Welsh had been proactive in building the Melbourne-Casey relationship.

“He’s involved in match committee, so it’s a good chance for him to hear what we think of players from a positional point of view and performance. It helps to keep a consistent message for the players, in terms of what the coaches think,” Nichol said.

“He also comes in and does the team review at the same time as the AFL review, so there is far more accountability for our playing group. It’s not just a case of waltzing in on the weekend and playing your game and then waltzing out.

“There is follow up during the week and ‘Woosha’ will grab those guys for quick one-on-one chats. He’s had a great presence at the footy club over summer, so he’s been fantastic.”

Nichol said Welsh had also adopted Melbourne’s game plan and applied it Casey.

“He’s done that to the best he can, and the Casey boys have come in and been able to execute the game plan to the way we want to play the game. It’s full credit to Rohan and his coaching group to the way they’re coaching the Casey boys at the moment,” he said.

“It’s been really good. All of the development coaches got out to Casey for a session across the pre-season, just to coach the basic fundamentals.

“We worked with the line coaches with Casey, so we can get the same consistent messages.”

On match day, Nichol is also the Casey backline coach and Melbourne forward line development coach Paul Satterley is also the Casey forward line coach. Melbourne midfield development coach Aaron Greaves also works closely with Casey midfield coach Steve O’Brien, and provides feedback at games.

“Myself and Satts are both down there on game day. I’m the backline coach and Satts is the forward line coach,” Nichol said.

“So there is a consistent message preached at Melbourne and at Casey, and it’s been enhanced this year.

“Last year was a big improvement from all accounts, in regards to the relationship, but it’s certainly taken another step forward this year.”

Nichol said he couldn’t fault the attitude of the Melbourne players when they played at Casey. 

“It’s a real credit to the playing group and their maturity,” he said.

“They understand that if they want to get back up into the senior side, because they’ve been omitted or they’re coming back from injury or whatever their various situations have been, if they don’t buy into the Casey Football Club, which is an extension of the Melbourne Football Club, then they’re actually not giving themselves the best opportunity to perform.

“There certainly hasn’t been anyone in my time who has played in a disappointing fashion, due to his attitude. They’re been outstanding in the way they’ve bought into Casey.”

Nichol said Casey players had also grasped the opportunity to train with the Melbourne squad to further strengthen ties.

“The last training session of the week, leading into games, the Casey boys have come up and done that last session with us,” he said.

“That’s certainly helped the Casey boys get to know the Melbourne boys a lot better. It’s also good for the Casey boys to get a bit of exposure into what the Melbourne boys do.

“It’s another example of the relationship continuing to enhance, and ‘Woosha’ has been proactive in getting his players exposed to us as often as he can.”

Already a handful of Demons have benefited from strong form with Casey this year, when they’ve been elevated to the AFL, including Michael Evans and Max Gawn, who combined for five goals in Melbourne’s 12-goal record breaking final term against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG last Sunday.

“We’ve got more players into the fold this week and we’re now in a position where Gawn and Evans, as two examples, have come in and played some good VFL footy,” Nichol said.

“Our list is pretty healthy at the moment. They’re not coming in through a spate of injuries or playing in a position which we haven’t got at AFL level, so they’re feeling good about coming in after playing well at VFL level.

“They’re coming in with a lot more confidence.”