Right: Forward Ben Waite is one of the few Casey Scorpions remaining from last year’s squad as the club embarks on a new era. 28936 Picture: Luke PlummerBy Marc McGowan
TWO wins from three practice matches will count for little when the Casey Scorpions take to the field for their VFL season-opener against Sandringham on Sunday.
That’s the view of new coach Peter German – the club’s third mentor in as many years – after watching his side wrap up its pre-season with a comfortable victory over Coburg at Casey Fields on the weekend.
“It just confirms to me that we’ll be competitive,” he said.
“We played 26 and Coburg played 22, so we had four extra players to rotate through and whether that had an impact, I don’t know.
“But I can tell you now that history has taught me that practice match form is a lot different to when the real stuff starts.”
Recruits Matt Moore and Glenn Chivers starred in the reserves match, while high-profile Melbourne forward Russell Robertson made a successful return in the seniors from a long-term Achilles injury.
The Scorpions are entering unfamiliar territory this year, with German at the helm and Melbourne as its new AFL partner.
St Kilda officials decided to jump ship after eight years with Casey to align with Sandringham.
The Scorpions have also lost key members Chris Dunne, Steven O’Bryan and Stefan Garrubba over the summer.
But an influx of talent, including former AFL-listed players Peter Faulks and Chivers, Moore, Pierce Liddle, Nick Scanlon, Michael Stockdale and Ben MaCreadie, should ensure Casey is competitive this year.
Last season’s best-and-fairest winner James Wall, skipper and two-time VFL team-of-the-year recipient Kyle Matthews and star fullback Alex Silvagni remain at Casey Fields.
The trio will be vital if the Scorpions are to enjoy success.
Former coach Greg Hutchison structured his team around a strong backline, with Wall, Silvagni, O’Bryan, James Taylor and Evan Panozza featuring strongly, but German will implement a more attacking game plan.
“I like to think I’m an offensively minded coach. It’s not going to be built from defence,” the ex-Kangaroo centreman said.
“It will probably be built from the midfield out. I still demand a high regard for defence – don’t worry about that.
“It’s not going to be one-way traffic. I’d be disappointed if sides kick big scores on us.”
German was tight-lipped about selection for round one, but predicts there will be around half a dozen new faces in the senior squad alongside up to 12 Melbourne players.
“After four months of training, we’re starting to sort through players’ roles and positions and everyone’s sort of jockeying for the first game,” he said.
“There’s been a bit of pressure on to try and cement a spot in the senior side, so it’ll be tough at selection this week.”
German has been impressed with the standard of the VFL – describing it as quicker than the WAFL, where he previously coached – and is keen for the season to begin.
“You can train for so long, but after a while you get to a point where you just want to start playing,” he said.
“More than anything, it’s just excitement to get our best 22 out there and try and show everyone and ourselves what we’re capable of.”
Casey starts its campaign against Sandringham at Trevor Barker Oval at 2pm on Sunday.
