New Casey coach Jade Rawlings is sticking to what works for the VFL Demons

NEW Casey Demons coach Jade Rawlings says VFL-listed players become good mathematicians as they do the selection numbers every week.

AS he prepares for his first season as coach of the Casey Demons, Jade Rawlings is taking an approach founded on the phrase “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’’.

Under his predecessor, Justin Plapp, the Demons made the grand final in 2016 and were finalists again last year.

Asked what brand of football Casey followers could expect to see this year, Rawlings replied: “Whatever they’ve seen in the last two years. I think ‘Plappy’ had them playing the right way. It’s wedded to the Melbourne style. I believe in it. I’m passionate about it.

“They’ll see a group that competes hard, has a good method of contest and defends with a high level of intensity. Our players are aware of how we play, with an identifiable brand that we want to keep putting out there because it works.

“Plappy’ set the place up really well. I’d be foolish to come in and overhaul it.’’

It was more a welcome back than a welcome to the VFL when former Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs key position player Rawlings was appointed to replace Plapp.

Jade Rawlings coaching the Coburg Tigers, assistant Adam Potter at his side.

He coached Coburg in 2008 and for half of 2009 before he was elevated to Richmond’s senior job in a caretaker capacity following the departure of Terry Wallace.

He remembers his time at the Burgers fondly.

“I love the VFL,’’ he said. “That was one of the my favourite years in footy, coaching Coburg. So when the opportunity to coach again came up, I jumped at it. It’s something I really enjoy doing. I’m passionate about the competition.’’

Ironically, Rawlings and his Demons will visit Coburg City Oval in Round 1 on Sunday, taking on a young Lions team under the wing of first-year coach Leigh “Patch’’ Adams.

With the Development League being scrapped, Casey and the other AFL-aligned clubs cut their lists back to 30.

The Demons lost a few players to the revived Frankston, including the classy Aloysio Ferreira late in the piece, but Rawlings said the retention was better than he had been expecting.

“I thought it would be a challenge without Development, but a lot of the guys really love the club and the program and I was quite lucky to walk into that,’’ he said.

“We’ve got a good healthy list and the guys are ready to roll when the opportunity presents to them. We’ve got depth.’’

Casey recruit Jay Lockhart takes a kick for Tasmania in last year’s representative match against the NEAFL.

The Demons recruited delisted AFL pair Mitch White (Melbourne) and Corey Wagner (North Melbourne), Tasmanian half back Jay Lockhart, Noble Park full back Ryan Morrison and a contingent of TAC Cup graduates, including Gippsland Power trio Will Stephenson, Aidan Quigley and Jack Hudson.

Leading defender Jack Hutchins has been reappointed captain, heading a leadership group of White (vice-captain), Mitch Gent, James Munro, Angus Scott and Wagner.

Factor in rising players like Mykelti Lefau, Dylan Gordon and Goy Lok, and it’s clear Casey has a strong squad.

But it’s a numbers game. Without the Development League, every Melbourne player must be selected in the Casey team, putting a squeeze on for positions.

Casey leader and star small forward Angus Scott.

Some of the selection headaches for Rawlings and his match committee will doubtless be splitting.

“It’s going to be a challenge and that’s what we’re trying to educate our players about,’’ he said.

“That’s the reality of being a VFL-listed player. When you’re aligned to an AFL club you’re guided by the health of that list. The AFL players are going to get first look at it. That’s just the way it is. And if you can’t deal with that you shouldn’t be a VFL-listed player. I’d like to think they’re a chance to play. It’s not realistic to think they’ll all play.

“I’m big on consistency of habits and behaviours and players who show that will get first opportunity. The challenge is having them play at a high level at local level and train well with us. It’s going to be hard when we’ve got a healthy list but talking to Josh Fraser, talking to Craig McRae, talking to Chris Newman, they’re going through the same thing.’’

Rawlings added: “I think I’m letting our players down if they don’t realise that if there are 18 AFL players healthy, there are five spots available. When you are a VFL-listed player you do the maths. You become a very good mathematician.’’

One position is secure at Casey: former Northern Blues GM and Footscray and Richmond official Garry O’Sullivan is the new football manager.

He’ll be busy given that the Demons now have a VFL Women’s team, coached by retired Melbourne player Colin Garland.

The women will play most of their home games after the VFL side.

Top defender Jack Hutchins will captain Casey in 2018.

JADE RAWLINGS ON

Jack Hutchins: “He got voted in as captain last week. I wanted to leave it open to (assess) five months of behaviours, what our players see, who they want to follow. And they want to follow Jack.’’

Ryan Morrison: “He’s going well. He did a pre-season three years ago and when it got to the pointy end he went back to Noble Park. He’s played at a high level and people were telling me he was someone we should be speaking to. Once I met him I really liked his company. He’s very dry. But he’s hardly missed a session. He played against Box Hill and was one of our better players. He’s given himself a very good chance to play in the VFL this year.’’

Ryan Morrison in Noble Park colours.

Corey Machaya: “Been really impressed. Our players love playing with him. He’s really competitive. He tackles, he puts his body on the line and he knows where the goals are.’’

Mitch Lewis: “Didn’t know much about Mitch. He had a knee injury last year and didn’t play. He’s played in all our practice matches and to a high level. He’s someone I’ve found belief in and most importantly he’s believing in himself, from not knowing whether he could play VFL.’’