HEAD of development Brett Allison reviews the Melbourne-listed players who played in the VFL and AFL Victoria Development League at Visy Park on Saturday 

VFL: Casey Scorpions 10.11 (71) d Northern Blues 8.7 (55)

Dom Barry: Dom played wing and had 13 possessions. This was one of Dom’s best games for the season. He was given a run-with role on Kane Lucas, who played for the Northern Blues, but is on Carlton’s list. Dom really performed the role well. He nullified his opponent and made it difficult for him all day, and he was able to win the ball on occasions. It was a real learning day for Dom and we were really pleased with the result we got. It also added another string to his bow to try and find his way into the senior side.

Sam Blease: Sam played half-back flank and had 30 possessions. It was easily Sam’s best performance for the season. He gave us plenty of drive and rebound from half-back. The improvement from the previous week in defence was the work of his defensive skills. He kept his man reasonably quiet and was able to gain plenty of the football himself. That’s the area we want to see Sam improving in the most, so it was a big step forward for him this week.

Michael Evans: Evo played on ball, half-back and wing. He had 21 disposals and used his speed well at times to break from stoppages. His disposal efficiency was much improved over the game, but he knows exactly what he needs to do to get better and to get himself back in the senior team.

Jack Fitzpatrick: Jack played in the ruck. He started the game well in the ruck and was having a good battle with Cameron Wood from Carlton. Unfortunately, he contested the ball and landed on an opponent’s foot and twisted his ankle, just before quarter-time. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to take any further part in the game, so hopefully he can rehab that well in the week and get himself up for this weekend.

Alex Georgiou: Alex played in defence all day. He had nine possessions and it was his first outing at VFL level for Casey. Alex performed his role for the day and kept his opponent to control all day, as he has at AFL level for most of the season. He copped a knock to his knee early in the game and did well to play out the rest of the game, as we were already one man down with Jack Fitzpatrick injured early in the match. So it was a good effort from Alex and we got what we would expect from him on game day.

Jayden Hunt: Jayden played half-forward this week. It was a pleasing game from Jayden. He won his spot back in the senior team from the development side the week before. We used him in the forward half this week, which is something we haven’t seen from him so far this season. He was able to have some impact – contesting far more strongly and consistently than at any time this season. It was good to see him hold his ground, particularly in the wet and muddy conditions, when he could’ve been bundled out of the way on occasions. So it was a positive week for Jayden.

Jordie McKenzie: Jordie had 32 possessions and played on ball all day. It was a really solid performance from Jordie. He was strong around the stoppages and got a bit of the ball on the spread as well. It was good to see him working back to some form after a quieter game the week before.

Viv Michie: Viv played on ball and half-forward. He had 23 possessions. It was his first game back from his broken jaw and he made a significant contribution on the day in difficult conditions. He put his head over the ball, when it was his turn, which was good to see, and he used the ball quite well, so it was a strong return from Viv.

Daniel Nicholson: Daniel had 23 possessions and played mainly half-back and a little bit on the wing. It was another good week for Daniel. He positioned himself well at stoppages, won the ball and used it quite well on most occasions. There was still the odd time where he could’ve kicked or handball, rather than take on the extra tackle, but it was another significant contribution from him.

Aidan Riley: Aidan played on ball and half-forward. He had 27 possessions and another strong week. He cleared the ball very well for us on occasions and used it quite well this week. Aidan’s getting quite close to full fitness now and he’ll be really pushing hard for senior selection from this point on.

James Strauss: James played half-forward and had 11 possessions. He has found himself in a bit of lull in the last few weeks. He really needs to work harder and contest stronger at times, and give himself the chance to win the football. We know he’s much better than what he’s producing at the moment, so hopefully it’s just a matter of time before James starts to impact the play, as much as we’d like to see.

Luke Tapscott: Luke played half-forward and on ball. He had 20 possessions. Luke looked really strong around the stoppages and won plenty of contested possessions. He ran in straight lines at the footy and if he didn’t win it, he often caused the ball to spill for other teammates to win as well. So it was a good, strong hit out from Luke. He’s getting back to full fitness now and he can start pressing for senior selection.

Jimmy Toumpas: Jimmy had 20 possessions. He played wing and a little bit across half-back. Again, it was a solid performance from Jimmy. He played his role for us and used the ball much better. They’re the two things he’s really been working on the most – knowing and playing his role, and using the ball and not turning the ball over, which we’ve seen an improvement on in the last couple of weeks. He’s heading in the right direction and he needs to keep knuckling down and producing that sort of form to win his way back into the senior team.

AFL Victoria Development League: Northern Blues 12.16 (88) d Casey Scorpions 4.6 (30)

Maia Westrupp: Maia played in defence. In the second half, he was given a run-with role on a dangerous opposition forward. I thought he played that role well. His opponent kicked three first half goals and Maia managed to put the clamps on him, and he didn’t really trouble the scoreboard after half-time. So it was another good learning week for Maia. He’s taking on board positioning and starting point advice and starting to put it into practice, so he’s improving each week at development level. He’s working as hard as he can to try and reach his goal of a senior VFL game, but it was a good week for Maia.