CASEY coach Brad Gotch runs through the Melbourne-listed players who played for the Scorpions in round one
Seniors
Casey Scorpions 13.14 (92) d Geelong 9.11 (65)
Saturday, April 2, Casey Fields (7pm)
Sam Blease: Sammy started a little bit slow. I had him on Shannon Byrnes, who had five touches in the first 10 minutes. I then moved Sammy off him and spoke to him about my expectations of him and then he was very good. He started to play tighter - defending first and then attacking. Sammy showed plenty of run - some players looked slow around him, which is quite amazing. He got better as the game went on.
Matthew Bate: Bater worked his butt off. It was a usual Bater performance. He had 21 touches as a key forward and was running up on the wing and back inside 50. He didn’t get any goals, which was probably the only down part of his day. He deserved to kick some goals.
Lucas Cook: Lucas struggled a little bit. It might have been because it was night footy or Geelong guarding the space really well. He started presenting well in the second half. You’d think he’ll better for the run.
Michael Evans: Michael is a very impressive young player. He looks like he’s a real chance in the future. He had 21 disposals and showed composure. Michael’s a good kick and is clean. He knows where to go, so for all Demon supporters, he’s one to watch coming through.
Max Gawn: Maxy had a great first half, but he jarred his knee and wasn’t as prominent in the second half. He only had one touch, but he took four marks in the first half. Maxy was up against Mark Blake, Trent West and Dawson Simpson. Max and ‘Pencil’ (Jake Spencer) had a really good AFL-like ruck hit-out with the Geelong ruckmen.
Jordan Gysberts: Jordan had 14 clearances and 30 touches and was outstanding. He was really good around the stoppages and he used the ball well to set up the game. Jordan was the architect behind the game.
Michael Newton: Michael kicked 5.4 and took eight marks. He also set up four goals. He was a great forward target and was the key to the game I reckon. He worked hard to keep the ball inside 50 and helped set up the game. He was our best player.
Kelvin Lawrence: Kelvin was a little bit rusty, because he’s been out with a finger injury. Considering it was his first game back, he was lively around the packs and had 12 disposals.
Tom McDonald: Tom took six marks and had eight spoils, so he defended really well. He kicked and used the ball well. Tom rebounded strongly.
Daniel Nicholson: I’ve been playing Daniel as a half-back, but because we were a bit light-on with the midfielders, I thought I’d throw him through the middle. Daniel was good - he chases, he’s hard and he uses the ball well. He’s going to be good value and I reckon we’ll persevere with him through the midfield.
Jake Spencer: Although Jake didn’t get a lot of the ball, he competed very well in the ruck. He gave us a lot of first-hand possession. He probably just needs to do a little bit more around the ground.
James Strauss: Straussy was good. He was an emergency for round one and didn’t play last week. So James was a little bit rusty, but still did a good job.
Matthew Warnock: Matty didn’t get a goal kicked on him. He hardly got beaten in a one-on-one contest. He had 18 disposals - a good return for a backman and just does everything right at this level. He’s in good shape and ready to go, if he gets a call-up. Matty’s always has a good attitude.
Austin Wonaeamirri: I played Aussie as a midfielder and he had seven clearances up until three quarter-time. He finished with nine for the match. He showed a different type of fitness, which was good. Aussie is a smart player and it was the best game I’ve seen him play for Casey - from a consistency perspective. It was a really big game from Aussie.
Reserves
Saturday, April 2, Casey Fields (7pm)
Sam Blease: Sammy started a little bit slow. I had him on Shannon Byrnes, who had five touches in the first 10 minutes. I then moved Sammy off him and spoke to him about my expectations of him and then he was very good. He started to play tighter - defending first and then attacking. Sammy showed plenty of run - some players looked slow around him, which is quite amazing. He got better as the game went on.
Matthew Bate: Bater worked his butt off. It was a usual Bater performance. He had 21 touches as a key forward and was running up on the wing and back inside 50. He didn’t get any goals, which was probably the only down part of his day. He deserved to kick some goals.
Lucas Cook: Lucas struggled a little bit. It might have been because it was night footy or Geelong guarding the space really well. He started presenting well in the second half. You’d think he’ll better for the run.
Michael Evans: Michael is a very impressive young player. He looks like he’s a real chance in the future. He had 21 disposals and showed composure. Michael’s a good kick and is clean. He knows where to go, so for all Demon supporters, he’s one to watch coming through.
Max Gawn: Maxy had a great first half, but he jarred his knee and wasn’t as prominent in the second half. He only had one touch, but he took four marks in the first half. Maxy was up against Mark Blake, Trent West and Dawson Simpson. Max and ‘Pencil’ (Jake Spencer) had a really good AFL-like ruck hit-out with the Geelong ruckmen.
Jordan Gysberts: Jordan had 14 clearances and 30 touches and was outstanding. He was really good around the stoppages and he used the ball well to set up the game. Jordan was the architect behind the game.
Michael Newton: Michael kicked 5.4 and took eight marks. He also set up four goals. He was a great forward target and was the key to the game I reckon. He worked hard to keep the ball inside 50 and helped set up the game. He was our best player.
Kelvin Lawrence: Kelvin was a little bit rusty, because he’s been out with a finger injury. Considering it was his first game back, he was lively around the packs and had 12 disposals.
Tom McDonald: Tom took six marks and had eight spoils, so he defended really well. He kicked and used the ball well. Tom rebounded strongly.
Daniel Nicholson: I’ve been playing Daniel as a half-back, but because we were a bit light-on with the midfielders, I thought I’d throw him through the middle. Daniel was good - he chases, he’s hard and he uses the ball well. He’s going to be good value and I reckon we’ll persevere with him through the midfield.
Jake Spencer: Although Jake didn’t get a lot of the ball, he competed very well in the ruck. He gave us a lot of first-hand possession. He probably just needs to do a little bit more around the ground.
James Strauss: Straussy was good. He was an emergency for round one and didn’t play last week. So James was a little bit rusty, but still did a good job.
Matthew Warnock: Matty didn’t get a goal kicked on him. He hardly got beaten in a one-on-one contest. He had 18 disposals - a good return for a backman and just does everything right at this level. He’s in good shape and ready to go, if he gets a call-up. Matty’s always has a good attitude.
Austin Wonaeamirri: I played Aussie as a midfielder and he had seven clearances up until three quarter-time. He finished with nine for the match. He showed a different type of fitness, which was good. Aussie is a smart player and it was the best game I’ve seen him play for Casey - from a consistency perspective. It was a really big game from Aussie.
Reserves
Northern Bullants 17.6 (108) d Casey Scorpions 12.16 (88)
Saturday, April 2, Visy Park (11am)
Jack Fitzpatrick: Jack played the second half in the reserves and had 12 touches. He mainly played forward and kicked 1.4. He was a little bit rusty coming back for his first game. He snapped a couple and just missed and also had a long shot at goal. That will come, but otherwise I was pleased with him.
Tom McNamara: Tom also played a half - he played the first half - and also got 12 disposals. I was happy with Tom and he’ll progress in the next few weeks, because he’s missed a few weeks.
Saturday, April 2, Visy Park (11am)
Jack Fitzpatrick: Jack played the second half in the reserves and had 12 touches. He mainly played forward and kicked 1.4. He was a little bit rusty coming back for his first game. He snapped a couple and just missed and also had a long shot at goal. That will come, but otherwise I was pleased with him.
Tom McNamara: Tom also played a half - he played the first half - and also got 12 disposals. I was happy with Tom and he’ll progress in the next few weeks, because he’s missed a few weeks.
