CASEY coach Justin Plapp reviews the Melbourne-listed players who played in the VFL

VFL
Sunday, August 2, Casey Fields, 2pm
Casey Scorpions 10.9 (69) d Werribee Tigers 12.10 (82)

“WE started the game really well. Our first half was nearly a mirror image of the Collingwood game last week. We had a lot of opportunities in the first quarter and couldn’t capitalise or make the most of our opportunities. In the second quarter, we kicked seven goals and went into half-time with a 30-point lead in really trying conditions. It was really windy and it was a difficult Casey day, and there was a three or four goal advantage at one end. We went into half-time in pretty good shape, but we had to clean up on a few areas. But our third quarter was exactly the same as the Collingwood match. We just lost a bit of effort and we lost a bit of composure. We went into the last quarter 12 points down and then the conditions became really rough and were really hard to generate some scoring opportunities from there. We certainly didn’t make the most of our opportunities when we could’ve done, and we dropped a bit of effort and work rate, and allowed them to get back in the game. We were good enough to win the game, but we couldn’t get the job done.” – Justin Plapp

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Rohan Bail: Rohan had 15 disposals and five effective tackles. Rohan played an outside role – wing/half-forward/half-back. We thought Rohan’s impact on the game was pretty minimal. The conditions were tough for those outside players.

Jack Fitzpatrick: Jack was one of our better defenders and one of our better players for the day. He had 18 disposals, nine marks, one effective tackles and seven marks from opposition kicks, which is a statistic we value highly. After coming off injured last week, he bounced back to some pretty good form. We were happy with his contribution for the day.

Mark Jamar: Russian played a pretty pivotal part for us. He gave our midfielders first use and I thought he won the battle against Eric Wallace. Mark had 14 possessions and 42 hit outs, which was a pretty good day. Russian continues to play his role and show some dominance in that part of the ground.

Matt Jones: Matt had 27 possessions and seven effective tackles. He was busy and he provided us with class and silk, along with that mid-forward connection going inside 50. He played half-forward/wing and he was one of our better players. We certainly need him to keep playing well, because he’s got some good assets with his offensive part of his game. We continue to really encourage him to work on some of his defensive stuff, but in the conditions, I thought he was good.

Jay Kennedy-Harris: His numbers didn’t really stick out. He only had six disposals and the opposition did a lot of work on Jay. He had eight effective tackles, so his effort and work rate was really strong. Sometimes for small forwards it can be tough playing that fifth or six role, but he did lack from an offensive output point of view, although his defensive stuff and role playing was valued on the weekend.

Max King: He got injured and hurt his hamstring. Kingy only played half the game, but he provided us with a focal point. He took two really good contested marks and kicked two goals in his time on the ground. He’s developing and needs to keep working on his body work and building his body. When we see improvements in that part of the game, he’s going to take his game to another level. He played his role as a key forward, when he was on the ground.

Jordie McKenzie: Jordie had 22 possessions and eight effective tackles. He work and hardness around the footy is his go and on the weekend, he brought his strengths into the game. He had a couple of opportunities to use the ball where he was out and open, and he turned the ball over in critical times. We thought his effort and output was strong, but we just need him to be cleaner by hand and foot.

Ben Newton: Benny was solid. He backed up last week’s performance by playing around the ball. He had 23 disposals and four effective tackles. His outside work and his kicking ability is one of his strengths and he certainly played to them. He also kicked two classy goals, and is starting to build some consistent form at VFL level.

Aidan Riley: Aidan had 29 possessions, 12 tackles and won the ballwell in the contest. He had 13 tackles, which was a highlight. His first optionfootball continues to be a focus moving forward.

Christian Salem: It was second game after a layoff of almost 10 weeks. He certainly looked a lot sharper and a lot cleaner. Christian’s ball-winning ability and cleanness was very good. He ended up having 15 possessions and three effective tackles, so he’s on track to building back full fitness.

Jake Spencer: Spence was very good in the second half. He ended up having 14 possessions and six marks. He played that supportive role for Russian, so they tried to balance their ruck duties 50/50. His effort was very good, but we felt he built into the game and his second half was the best part of his day.

Dean Terlich: Terls on the weekend started pretty well. He was knocked out midway into the third term, so he made it through half a game and ended up having 10 disposals and having three effective tackles. Dean played his role, but we’d like to see him a bit more consistent in his defensive actions and that’s what we’re working really, really strongly with him on. He gives us a lot of rebound, but it was just disappointing that he couldn’t get through a full game, because he probably would’ve helped us in the result of the game.

Jimmy Toumpas: Toump put in a solid performance. He had 15 possessions, five effective tackles and came back after getting knocked out last week. He played his role in trying conditions. He tackled really well and we’re working really hard with him on generating more offensive stuff in his game. He also needs to be a bit cleaner when the ball’s on the ground and in the contest.

Mitch White: Mitch was good again. He had 19 possessions and two effective tackles. Mitch marked the ball well from opposition kicks and defended pretty well. He played on a dangerous small forward and limited him to a pretty ordinary day, so he played a strong role. I was happy with Whitey, as he’s put two pretty strong performances together.

AFL Victoria Development League
Sunday, August 2, Casey Fields, 11am
Casey Scorpions 12.15 (87) d Werribee Tigers 4.6 (30)