A new-look Casey Scorpions side will be out to recapture the form that catapulted the club to the minor premiership last season.
Despite a disappointing finals campaign that finished with a heavy defeat at the hands of Williamstown in the semi-final, the Scorpions have rebuilt their squad after the departures of number of regular players.
While the likes of Matthew Bate, Brent Moloney, Cale Morton and Jordan Gysberts were on Melbourne’s list, they along with Tom Crouch and Jack Fitzpatrick were critical to the Scorpions’ surge to the top of the ladder.
Although Couch and Fitzpatrick are the only members of that group that remain, new coach Rohan Welsh is positive about what can be achieved this season.
A number of youngsters will get their chance to shine with Welsh tipping midfielders Mitch Gents and Will Petropoulos and ruckman Michael Boland as players to watch.
“Micky Boland is still pretty raw and has some development left in him but he’s had a really good pre-season after coming to us from Cranbourne.”
“Jake Best is another one who has really been good in the practice games. He keeps his feet and is really smart around the goals.”
The Scorpions will also have key forward prospect Jesse Hogan in their midst with the 18-year-old ineligible to suit up with Melbourne.
Despite appearing well equipped to handle the bigger bodies at VFL level, Welsh said Hogan would be given time to develop without the burden of high expectations.
The leadership of captain Evan Panozza will also be a crucial factor in securing another crack at finals footy.
“His level of professionalism is outstanding and he really sets the standard for the rest of the playing group,” Welsh said.
The Scorpions host Frankston this Sunday in their season opener and Welsh said they would need to improve their accuracy in front of goal in order to secure the points.
“I think if the boys apply themselves then we go in with a pretty good chance,” he said.
“We kicked 4.17 in the practice match last weekend so we’ll be working pretty hard to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
Casey Scorpions
Coach: Rohan Welsh
2012 Ladder position: 1st (14 wins, 4 losses)
2012 Best & Fairest: Tom Couch
Key recruits: Michael Boland (Cranbourne)
Key losses: Matthew Bate (Essendon VFL) Jordan Gysberts (North Melbourne)
First match: Frankston, Casey Fields, April 7
Last Modified on 05/04/2013 12:22