Right: Teenage midfielder David Armitage is hoping to become a regular for St Kilda, but will be a key player when in Casey Scorpions colours in 2008.By Marc McGowan
WHEN you lose your coach and two of the most decorated footballers in your club’s history, there are always going to be major changes ahead.
That has been the case for the Casey Scorpions and new coach Greg Hutchison as the club prepares to emerge from one of its most tumultuous off-seasons.
The Scorpions have undergone a major facelift since reaching their first finals series in four years last season.
Senior coach Peter Banfield was the first to go and five-time Gardner-Clark Medallist Steve Harrison and captain Nigel Carmody soon followed.
Last year’s boom recruit Troy Makepeace’s stint at the club ended after just one season, and the constant rumours about David Biagi leaving finally came to fruition.
Casey’s AFL affiliate St Kilda also lost patience with Barry Brooks, Fergus Watts and Justin Sweeney, and Brett Voss retired after struggling to break into the Saints’ senior side in 2007.
All four played major roles for the Scorpions last season and their exits further depleted Casey.
But versatile key position player James Wall, who St Kilda also delisted, will return, and his influence will be vital if the Scorpions are to make another run at the finals.
Outside of Wall, Casey’s best recruits were those straight out of the TAC Cup under-18 competition.
The two stand-outs from that crop appear to be former Eastern Ranges Andrew Campbell, who trained with Melbourne before last year’s AFL rookie draft, and Shaun Dixon.
Once again the Saints’ injury fortunes will be a major factor in the Scorpions’ success.
Midfield prospect David Armitage, promising tall Jarryd Allen, first-round draft pick Ben McEvoy and rookie-listed Andrew McQualter, Luke van Rheenen and Robert Eddy will all spend time with the Scorpions.
Allen in particular has a huge responsibility up forward after Watts’ and Sweeney’s departures.
Casey big man Ben Fraser also has a point to prove after missing out on the Scorpions’ finals campaign last season due to waning form.
An impressive pre-season, highlighted by a five-goal haul against Frankston in Casey’s sole practice match win, showed once again the potential everyone at Casey Fields hopes makes a regular appearance in 2008.
New captain Kyle Matthews, who has made the Victorian Football League (VFL) team of the year in each of the past two seasons, is the Scorpions’ best player and will need to bring his high-octane displays on a more consistent basis.
Others who will need to step up include midfielder/forwards Stefan Garrubba, Chris Dunne and Adam Parker, defenders Daniel Unsworth, Alex Silvagni and Steven O’Bryan – who will miss the first few weeks due to a collarbone injury – and youngsters Mat Rosier, Joel Galvin and Pat McGrath.
“The players have been fantastic and have responded really well,” Hutchison said.
“They’ve really gone about learning the way we want to play and there have been no dramas.
“There are always some hangovers from previous coaches, but to their credit they’ve moved on pretty quickly.”
Hutchison was keen to emphasise the inexperienced nature of Casey’s squad, but has genuine optimism for the season ahead.
“We have a really young list, which is exciting, and we’ve worked pretty hard to keep the players together from previous years,” he said.
“We want to play one-on-one footy and we’ll learn along the way and be as competitive as we possibly can.”
The Scorpions start against VFL heavyweight Sandringham at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday at 2pm.
Picture: Meagan Rogers.
