VFL 2019: Vermont ruckman Liam Buxton tracking well at Casey Demons

After a dominant 2018 season with Vermont, Liam Buxton has joined VFL club Casey Demons. And Dees coach Jade Rawlings is rapt with his progress.

Asked about recruit Liam Buxton, Jade Rawlings said he’d had no more asked-about player since he started coaching the Casey Demons.

“Seriously, the intrigue with Liam,’’ Rawlings said of the 198cm ruckman from Eastern power Vermont.

“I suppose it’s because of the way he looks. Melbourne people see him and ask about him.

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Mates I know in Eastern districts ask how he’s going with us. The (media) have asked about him a couple of times.’’

And the answer to the queries?

“He’s going well,’’ Rawlings said.

“He’s really understanding how we go about our business at Casey. He’s embracing that. He’s still got a bit to learn about how we play. Most importantly he’s learning how to be a good teammate in our system and the things we really value that make the club function well. We’re really optimistic about what Liam can bring to the club.’’

Buxton, 22, is regarded as one of the best ruckmen in suburban ranks.

Liam Buxton rucking for Tiwi Bombers late last season.

He joined the Demons after flirting with a VFL stint two years ago with the Northern Blues, and is coming off a premiership season with Vermont.

The Eagles judged him their best finals player. A few months earlier he was named Eastern’s best player at representative level.

The bonus for the big fellow is that he is a Melbourne supporter.

“He rubbed shoulders at an AFL session the other day with Max Gawn and Braydon Preuss, which led to him rucking for Nathan Jones and Jack Viney … so he’s had a pretty good experience so far,’’ Rawlings said.

Preuss and Buxton rucked together in a practice match last week against Brisbane and Rawlings saw it as a “pretty good partnership’’.

“They don’t know each other at all but they developed some good chemistry,’’ he said.

“I’m really open to playing a couple of rucks. I think it’s healthy in the VFL with the amount of stoppage play and some of the conditions you cop. The rucks do have a big bearing on the results of games. We’ve said to Liam that if he gets himself fit he’ll be able to create opportunities for himself. He’s fulfilled his end of the bargain.’’

Liam Buxton pulls in a mark for Vermont. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Rawlings said Buxton was competitive, strong and mobile.

Vermont coach Harmit Singh believes his premiership big man is ready to play at a higher level.

“He got himself super-fit last year and had an excellent season,’’ Singh said.

“His interleague game was outstanding and so were his performances in the finals.

“He was able to go forward throughout the year and hit the scoreboard. We’re really excited for him that he’s chosen to have another crack at the VFL. It’s a good program at Casey. So far so good and hopefully that continues. We’re really supportive of him. He’s got an understanding of the requirements of VFL footy and he’s a lot better positioned this time around to have a really good crack at it. Who knows what his ceiling can be.’’

Tom McCaffrey is another Casey Demons recruit who has caught the eye.

Utility McCaffrey played at Wodonga Raiders last season under former Sydney star Darryn Creswell and was a leading performer in the Ovens and Murray league.

“He came to us a little bit sight unseen but he’s had a positive impact on our program,’’ Rawlings said.

“He played in our practice match last week (against Brisbane) and was a very influential player. We’re really pleased with his progress.’’