VFL Casey 2026 thread

[jhong]

Blank screen , no commentary . time to watch the MCG game .

 

[ray_purchase]

In - Paddy Cross

Direct swap for Culley.

 

[melbun]

demons by 19

 

[melbun]

make that 26

 

[ray_purchase]

Tommy Matthews kicks his 2nd. Casey are home. Up 26 points, 26 mins into the last quarter

 

[melbun]

make that 26

all over D's by 27

 

[Lampers]

Bowey - played at half back and started brightly getting plenty of touches. In tricky wind conditions his skills and level head really stood out. He only played the first half and then ran laps. He looks like he hasn't missed a beat from last year so I'd expect him back in the AFL team as soon as there's a relevant opportunity and his fitness is where it needs to be.

Matthews - played forward and also on ball but struggled to get too involved. Did a couple of nice things with his pace but was just a bit fumbly and got bullied a bit by bigger opponents and had lots of "almost" moments. But he persisted and ended up with a couple of goals in the last quarter as Casey ran away with the game.

McDonald - Did as you'd expect as one of the tall backs. Took some strong marks, got beaten a couple of times, a couple of heart-in-mouth disposals. He even managed to get a shot at goal after doing a trade mark candy sell but it fell short into the breeze.

Adams - Played as the other tall back and I thought his game was good defensively and also ball in hand. He played on Liam Fawcett at times who has kicked goals at AFL level so it's not like he was on a plumber from Northcote. A promising outing from him and if he turned this in every week he'd be in line for AFL games.

White - Rucked and played forward. The Richmond ruck Hayes-Brown was larger and far more physical so White had his hands full. He was trying to use his leap to counter the difference in body strength which worked better as the game wore on. He worked into the game more around the ground in the second half using his good agility at ground level. He also took one big hanger like his dad used to.

Berry - Was in the backline with what looked like a brief stint forward, and didn't see much of the ball although I thought he was unlucky to not be paid a free and have a shot at goal for front on contact. He looks very uncertain with the ball in hand and tries to take on almost no risk so that won't cut it with sKing. But he is of course a development project.

Mentha - half back and also started on the wing at some centre throw ups and later on moved to the forward line. Missed some tackles but also did some nice tackles. He played a key role in creating one goal where his clever little kick put Henderson in space who then found Kentfield in the goal square. He's quite inconsistent within game still and fair way off AFL IMO.

Onley - played mostly as a defender and also a bit of time on the wing. He got more of the ball as the game progressed and his disposal was safe but effective which is an improvement on some of his prior games. He took a nice hanger as well not long after White's.

Cross - was a forward and did his usual thing of generating some scoring opportunities. He kicked one memorable long goal but wasn't a big factor in the game until late in the third when he was everywhere for a while. He kicked a goal and a behind in the last so finished strongly.

Henderson - started on the ball and got a heap of the ball but then didn't seem to be on the ground for decent stretches, potentially managing some sort of injury. He is a pretty good player as a VFL mid.

Kentfield - Played as a key forward and also the second ruck. He didn't do a great deal as a forward where Ah-Mu was more effective. As a ruck he took a few good marks and made some spoils, but he also got beaten a few times. Maybe he's not fully over the knee. It wasn't a huge game but he ended up with a couple of goals playing as a forward in the second half.

Moniz-Wakefield - he laid more tackles than I usually see him lay including one crunching rugby style tackle. He was clean roving off the ground and danced his way through traffic collecting a tonne of the ball. He had one memorable clanger that gave up a goal but aside from that I thought it was the best game I've seen him play.

 

[Lord Nev]

He played on Liam Fawcett at times who has kicked goals at AFL level so it's not like he was on a plumber from Northcote.

 

[Keith Knox]

White was pretty good from what I saw today. One very good mark, but he was involved throughout and won some clean hitouts against much more mature bodies. I'm fairly positive on him at this early stage.

Onley was better than previously too. Nothing exceptional, but improved decision making and ball use.

 

[Keith Knox]

Bowey - played at half back and started brightly getting plenty of touches. In tricky wind conditions his skills and level head really stood out. He only played the first half and then ran laps. He looks like he hasn't missed a beat from last year so I'd expect him back in the AFL team as soon as there's a relevant opportunity and his fitness is where it needs to be.

Matthews - played forward and also on ball but struggled to get too involved. Did a couple of nice things with his pace but was just a bit fumbly and got bullied a bit by bigger opponents and had lots of "almost" moments. But he persisted and ended up with a couple of goals in the last quarter as Casey ran away with the game.

McDonald - Did as you'd expect as one of the tall backs. Took some strong marks, got beaten a couple of times, a couple of heart-in-mouth disposals. He even managed to get a shot at goal after doing a trade mark candy sell but it fell short into the breeze.

Adams - Played as the other tall back and I thought his game was good defensively and also ball in hand. He played on Liam Fawcett at times who has kicked goals at AFL level so it's not like he was on a plumber from Northcote. A promising outing from him and if he turned this in every week he'd be in line for AFL games.

White - Rucked and played forward. The Richmond ruck Hayes-Brown was larger and far more physical so White had his hands full. He was trying to use his leap to counter the difference in body strength which worked better as the game wore on. He worked into the game more around the ground in the second half using his good agility at ground level. He also took one big hanger like his dad used to.

Berry - Was in the backline with what looked like a brief stint forward, and didn't see much of the ball although I thought he was unlucky to not be paid a free and have a shot at goal for front on contact. He looks very uncertain with the ball in hand and tries to take on almost no risk so that won't cut it with sKing. But he is of course a development project.

Mentha - half back and also started on the wing at some centre throw ups and later on moved to the forward line. Missed some tackles but also did some nice tackles. He played a key role in creating one goal where his clever little kick put Henderson in space who then found Kentfield in the goal square. He's quite inconsistent within game still and fair way off AFL IMO.

Onley - played mostly as a defender and also a bit of time on the wing. He got more of the ball as the game progressed and his disposal was safe but effective which is an improvement on some of his prior games. He took a nice hanger as well not long after White's.

Cross - was a forward and did his usual thing of generating some scoring opportunities. He kicked one memorable long goal but wasn't a big factor in the game until late in the third when he was everywhere for a while. He kicked a goal and a behind in the last so finished strongly.

Henderson - started on the ball and got a heap of the ball but then didn't seem to be on the ground for decent stretches, potentially managing some sort of injury. He is a pretty good player as a VFL mid.

Kentfield - Played as a key forward and also the second ruck. He didn't do a great deal as a forward where Ah-Mu was more effective. As a ruck he took a few good marks and made some spoils, but he also got beaten a few times. Maybe he's not fully over the knee. It wasn't a huge game but he ended up with a couple of goals playing as a forward in the second half.

Moniz-Wakefield - he laid more tackles than I usually see him lay including one crunching rugby style tackle. He was clean roving off the ground and danced his way through traffic collecting a tonne of the ball. He had one memorable clanger that gave up a goal but aside from that I thought it was the best game I've seen him play.

Nice write up mate. Pretty much agree with all of that.

What do you think of Ah Mu's chances in the MSD?

Mobility too much of an issue?

 

[danster168]

so did Bowey just get cheap ball or was it a well earned 15 touches?

 

[Lampers]

Nice write up mate. Pretty much agree with all of that.

What do you think of Ah Mu's chances in the MSD?

Mobility too much of an issue?

I'm no expert on these things, but I think his strength and hands are exceptional and he also appears to be an accurate kick.

On that basis I think it's worth seeing if his mobility can be improved in a fully professional environment. He's got more of a chance to develop into something significant than another 180cm player who shows a little bit.

 

[Lampers]

so did Bowey just get cheap ball or was it a well earned 15 touches?

A bit of sitting at the back of packs, being a loose man. I think his teammates were looking for him as the exit option. But that's what Bowey does anyway. He's not a clearance, contested player.

 

[jhong]

.... Both Melb and Casey will play in Sydney on Sunday .

2026 VFL Premiership Season
Sydney Swans v Casey Demons
Round 6 • Sunday 3 May 2026 • 12:15 PM (GMT+10)
Tramway Oval, Sydney • Gadigal

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

In the bits ive seen I think White is well ahead of the Jefferson arc where he needs 3-4 years in the magoos to develop, I wouldnt be surprised if hes pushing for a game by some time next year. He'll be a much better balance with Gawn than Heath is too.

 

[MarcMaverick]

.... Both Melb and Casey will play in Sydney on Sunday .

2026 VFL Premiership Season
Sydney Swans v Casey Demons
Round 6 • Sunday 3 May 2026 • 12:15 PM (GMT+10)
Tramway Oval, Sydney • Gadigal

And I saw the distance between Tramway Oval and the SCG and it's very close to each other, like roughly 1/2km from each other. So if there is an emergency there may be one out of the VFL game.

 

[jhong]

 

[Proper Gander]

Bowey - played at half back and started brightly getting plenty of touches. In tricky wind conditions his skills and level head really stood out. He only played the first half and then ran laps. He looks like he hasn't missed a beat from last year so I'd expect him back in the AFL team as soon as there's a relevant opportunity and his fitness is where it needs to be.

Matthews - played forward and also on ball but struggled to get too involved. Did a couple of nice things with his pace but was just a bit fumbly and got bullied a bit by bigger opponents and had lots of "almost" moments. But he persisted and ended up with a couple of goals in the last quarter as Casey ran away with the game.

McDonald - Did as you'd expect as one of the tall backs. Took some strong marks, got beaten a couple of times, a couple of heart-in-mouth disposals. He even managed to get a shot at goal after doing a trade mark candy sell but it fell short into the breeze.

Adams - Played as the other tall back and I thought his game was good defensively and also ball in hand. He played on Liam Fawcett at times who has kicked goals at AFL level so it's not like he was on a plumber from Northcote. A promising outing from him and if he turned this in every week he'd be in line for AFL games.

White - Rucked and played forward. The Richmond ruck Hayes-Brown was larger and far more physical so White had his hands full. He was trying to use his leap to counter the difference in body strength which worked better as the game wore on. He worked into the game more around the ground in the second half using his good agility at ground level. He also took one big hanger like his dad used to.

Berry - Was in the backline with what looked like a brief stint forward, and didn't see much of the ball although I thought he was unlucky to not be paid a free and have a shot at goal for front on contact. He looks very uncertain with the ball in hand and tries to take on almost no risk so that won't cut it with sKing. But he is of course a development project.

Mentha - half back and also started on the wing at some centre throw ups and later on moved to the forward line. Missed some tackles but also did some nice tackles. He played a key role in creating one goal where his clever little kick put Henderson in space who then found Kentfield in the goal square. He's quite inconsistent within game still and fair way off AFL IMO.

Onley - played mostly as a defender and also a bit of time on the wing. He got more of the ball as the game progressed and his disposal was safe but effective which is an improvement on some of his prior games. He took a nice hanger as well not long after White's.

Cross - was a forward and did his usual thing of generating some scoring opportunities. He kicked one memorable long goal but wasn't a big factor in the game until late in the third when he was everywhere for a while. He kicked a goal and a behind in the last so finished strongly.

Henderson - started on the ball and got a heap of the ball but then didn't seem to be on the ground for decent stretches, potentially managing some sort of injury. He is a pretty good player as a VFL mid.

Kentfield - Played as a key forward and also the second ruck. He didn't do a great deal as a forward where Ah-Mu was more effective. As a ruck he took a few good marks and made some spoils, but he also got beaten a few times. Maybe he's not fully over the knee. It wasn't a huge game but he ended up with a couple of goals playing as a forward in the second half.

Moniz-Wakefield - he laid more tackles than I usually see him lay including one crunching rugby style tackle. He was clean roving off the ground and danced his way through traffic collecting a tonne of the ball. He had one memorable clanger that gave up a goal but aside from that I thought it was the best game I've seen him play.

I love this content, lamp

Especially when I forget to watch then it makes me feel as though I was there

 

[Lampers]

I've had a bit on today so not paying super tight attention to the game, but Xavier Taylor... he has bitten off a few high-risk kicks and stuffed them all. I guess he will learn from it.

Adams is looking really good early, backing up from last week where I also thought he was quite good (especially by his standards).

 

[Lampers]

Onley's kicking also unfortunately quite diabolical early.

 

[Lampers]

Some positional changes.

Oscar Berry is playing forward today after a brief stint there last week, as opposed to his defender role for the rest of the year.

Moniz-Wakefield also seems to be playing a bit higher up the ground than usual.

 

[Fork n Hell]

Swans mids been doing as they please so far, their run and handball once they win the ball has been slaughtering us.

 

[Bluelegs]

Casey making a lot of unforced errors it looks like.

 

[melbun]

54 - 17 yuk

 

[Lampers]

A lot to like about Ah-mu. Joel Hamling

29

Joel Hamling

Age

33

Ht

194cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

D/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.6

3star

K

6.2

2star

HB

5.4

4star

M

5.0

5star

T

1.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

11.8

3star

K

7.6

3star

HB

4.2

4star

M

5.8

5star

T

1.0

3star

is playing on him so it's a good test.