Greg Hutchison confirmed as new Scorps coach

[casey scorp]

Jezza, you give me far too much credit. You seem to think I have inside knowledge, but I wouldn't know the answer to your questions. I've got no idea how long any captain's appointment would be for, nor do I know whether Biagi is going to Frankston.

In relation to the latter, I hope not. But then I hoped that Harro and Nigel wouldn't end up leaving either.

Nevertheless, as with the coaching appointment, I'll wait and see. And then I'll support the Scorps regardless.

Jezza, you seem a trifle bitter about the Scorps.

[jezza]

oh no i just think that we need our own reserves side. We want our players to develop and get a chance which i don't think happens.

[casey scorp]

There's two principal considerations in the matter of having our own reserves side:

* firstly, having the revenue to fund it
* secondly, determining whether spending available funds on a reserves team is the most cost-effective use of a scarce resource.

While having the funds is clearly a prerequisite, it is not the only consideration. Two clubs with the means chose different paths. Collingwood opted for a standalone reserves team, whereas Carlton maintained a VFL alignment. Any decision will be based on what is best in the particular circumstances.

My preference is to maintain the alignment - it is good for the Saints in my opinion (particularly at the moment). My support for the Scorps started because of the alignment, but has evolved into supporting my own local VFL team. If the alignment is dissolved at some time in the future I will support both teams in their separate competitions.

However, my hope is that the alignment will be preserved, that the Saints will move to Casey Fields and that we will have the best arrangement of any alignment - the Saints and the Scorpions based at the same venue, with close liaison, support and synergy, and both teams prospering (the whole is greater than the sum of the parts).

[Oh When the Saints]

So you wouldn’t consider fielding a stand alone side?

Nathan Burke: I think the case would have to be very strong for us to consider that. You have to field a team every week from 40 players, then if you have ten injuries it becomes very difficult trying to field two teams and you end up needing to pull players from different clubs all over the place, and to be honest their was a reason why most clubs did away with the stand alone format a few years back, so I can’t see many clubs wanting to take that option to be honest. We would have to financially become like Collingwood, to be able to afford a stand alone VFL club. It an expensive avenue.

[iceman]

Tell me iceman,what is a good appointment.Look all i am saying at the present with the amount of players that have left the scorps the saints boys will get some good chances to play VFL 1sts. Hutchy may be good but i think he will have a lot of work to do given that Harrison,Makepeace and Carmody have all left. 1 and 2 in the B&F is not what you want when you take over a club.

I completely agree with that, but at the selection table as the scorps Coach, and when Coaching on the weekend he is there to win games.
As I said, if he does this with plently of St. Kilda players, then great, they are obviously getting their hands on the footy at VFL 1's level, and winning games at the same time.

He has a huge job, no doubt, the club is looking to recruit a couple of high profile senior players that may not replace Harro and Nudges hole, but hopefully provide some experience to go with our coninued development of youth, which can not be underestimated. A strong group of youngsters will be 21,22 next season and that is probably the right age in the VFL right now to build a list around. I have heard that Andrew Williams, and Brett Voss will be heavily chased.

Re. Biagi, I believe he has spoken to frankston casually, and that a major concern for him is being part of a club that feels like a club, no dictated to, he is worried that recent events may see the club end up with a set up such as Northen Bullants, or Box Hill. It is a massive issue that VFL clubs are faced with, let's see what happens.


Hutchison is a very very capable person for the job he has with St. Kilda and hopefully we do see the likes of Howard wtc fast tracked, but to suggest that Banfield favours Casey players is ludicrous, he played players on their merits, (which is what Hutchison will do) and all that he may have lacked from a St. Kilda point of view is not being in a St. Kilda environment full time, it's hard for alot of people to respond to a bloke they see once a week. but thats no fault of his own. Trust me, if he favoured Casey players you would not have seen Brad Howard, or Jarryd Allen in the 1st Final vs. Port Melbourne. But thats not saying they didn't deserve their spot.

In summary Hutchison will play players on their merits, and will give no easy rides to the Saints, hopefully we do have alot of St. Kilda players playing, it means they are playing well, but respect that we are their to win games, and the appointment of Hutchison was not to play puppet to RL.

[iceman]

There is a fair chance that we will keep 6 of the 10 VFL lsted players that played in the first final. these 6 had an average age of 20 odd, hypothetically (and maybe) add Voss, Williams, also McQualter who I also hear the club is chasing.

Plus the continued development of Fraser, Dunne, etc. then we aren't looking as bad as people may think. Keep Biagi, Mathews, have hopefully Rix - or any ruckman for the whole year (assuming King and Gardiner can(unlikely) bith get through a whole year)

A full year from Allen, another pre-seaosn from Armo and we might be in a position to do alright again. Take either Ferguson or Dempster as an experienced back (ferguson had been vital to the scorps success yet played with saionts last few game) Have either Raph Clarke or Jimmy Gwilt in the side and I don't think we will be shot which is the general attitude.

[saintly]

http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/story/51431

Hutchison heads up Scorpions


By Marc McGowan

15th November 2007 02:05:40 AM



The Casey Scorpions have entrusted former Melbourne caretaker coach Greg Hutchison with leading them through their next era.Picture: Stewart Chambers.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JUST over a month after Peter Banfield’s controversial departure, the Casey Scorpions have announced former Melbourne utility Greg Hutchison as their new senior head coach.

The appointment was confirmed on Tuesday after a procession of coaches had been interviewed.

Former St Kilda star and two-time Narre Warren premiership coach Austinn Jones was notified on Monday that he had not been offered the job.

Jones is now a prime candidate for the vacant Gippsland Power TAC Cup coaching post.

Hutchison, 50, played 96 games and kicked 21 goals for the Demons from 1975-84, and also had a 13-game stint as caretaker coach of the club in 1997 after Neil Balme was sacked.

He has been involved in a variety of roles as an assistant coach at Australian Football League (AFL) level with Richmond and the Kangaroos since 1999.

Hutchison also coached Prahran in the Victorian Football Association (VFA) between 1986 and 1989 and was keen to return to the head coaching ranks.

“I just thought it was a really good opportunity to coach my own team again and a great challenge,â€

[saintbrat]

The Scorpions have no recruits at this stage after failing to entice 2007 AFL delistees Matthew Robbins and Patrick Bowden and retiree Brett Voss.

would have been good to see Vossy still around.

[Oh When the Saints]

Casey will aim to replicate a similar playing style to that of the Saints to aid the transition between AFL and Victorian Football League (VFL) level for St Kilda-listed players.

Mmm ...

[stinger]

There is a fair chance that we will keep 6 of the 10 VFL lsted players that played in the first final. these 6 had an average age of 20 odd, hypothetically (and maybe) add Voss, Williams, also McQualter who I also hear the club is chasing.

Plus the continued development of Fraser, Dunne, etc. then we aren't looking as bad as people may think. Keep Biagi, Mathews, have hopefully Rix - or any ruckman for the whole year (assuming King and Gardiner can(unlikely) bith get through a whole year)

A full year from Allen, another pre-seaosn from Armo and we might be in a position to do alright again. Take either Ferguson or Dempster as an experienced back (ferguson had been vital to the scorps success yet played with saionts last few game) Have either Raph Clarke or Jimmy Gwilt in the side and I don't think we will be shot which is the general attitude.

charlie gardiner is another who will do than okay for them......