Bernie Vince and Angus Brayshaw prepare for Round 1 in Casey VFL practice match

BERNIE Vince and Angus Brayshaw put their hands up for Round 1 as several Melbourne players play in Casey Scorpions’ practice match.

Bernie Vince of the Demons gathers the ball during the Melbourne Football Clubs training session at Gosch's Paddock, Melbourne on Friday 27th March, 2015. Picture: Mark Dadswell

MELBOURNE broadened its selection options with several solid performances in a VFL practice match on Saturday.

Experienced midfielder Bernie Vince played a large portion of the game with VFL affiliate Casey Scorpions in his first hitout for six weeks following a hamstring injury.

Vince, third in the Demons best and fairest last year, had 12 possessions and six tackles in short bursts off the interchange bench in the game against Williamstown at Casey Fields.

Vince was among only six Melbourne players to play every game last season and the Demons will closely monitor his recovery early in the week to decide if he’s ready for the AFL opener against Gold Coast at the MCG on Easter Saturday.

Jay Kennedy-Harris gets his kick away. Picture: David Crosling

“Bernie was able to play about 70 per cent of today’s game, which again was important as he had a really interrupted pre-season,’’ football manager Josh Mahoney said.

“So we thought it was important for him to play a VFL game. He got through it well today so he’ll be another one considered for this week.’’

High-class recruit Angus Brayshaw thrust his name forward for an AFL debut against the Suns with a polished performance for Casey Scorpions.

Brayshaw, the No.3 draft pick, kicked two goals and laid four tackles in his impressive 26 disposals that seemed to indicate the teenager was ready to step up to AFL standard.

Bernie Vince wins the hard ball. Picture: David Crosling

“The positive signs at the moment is there will be some interesting decisions at match committee this week with a number of guys who have been in good form and Angus will certainly be one of those guys in the squad and in the discussions,’’ Mahoney said.

“It was important that he played this weekend so that he made sure that he was going to be not selected due to [a lack of] match practice. He’s now played three full games and it will be a decision for match committee to make based on our team balance and whether he plays round one or not.’’

Defender Dean Kent and forward Jay Kennedy-Harris, forced out of the last NAB Challenge game against Essendon, made the most of approval by the AFL to round off their season preparation in the VFL practice match.

Kent has recovered from a bruised heel sustained after his bike was clipped by a car. He had 17 possessions and laid seven tackles.

Dean Kent hopes to be fit in time for Round 1. Picture: David Crosling

And Kennedy-Harris capped off a similar 17 disposals performance with two goals, the second off the outside of the right boot in the third quarter emphasising his scoring prowess.

“We were happy with Jay’s contribution through the NAB Challenge. Unfortunately he missed the last game and it was important for him to play this week, so he’ll certainly be in discussions along with Dean Kent who played today and showed some good form,’’ Mahoney said.

Midfielder Viv Michie was busy around the stoppages with 21 possessions and six tackles as a reminder to selectors.

High-leaping forward Jeremy Howe, also forced to sit out the entire NAB Challenge competition with a hamstring injury, didn’t play in the VFL practice match despite being approved to have the hitout. Howe was rested after he convinced Roos he was ready to play against the Suns during a solid training session that lasted nearly three hours on Friday.

“He was at the game today. In the end the decision we made with Jeremy was for him to get through a really hard training session yesterday which he did and he pulled up really well. We have another training session on Monday where he’ll work hard again and all things going well he will again be considered for this week,’’ Mahoney said.

Originally published as Bernie Vince and Angus Brayshaw prepare for Round 1 in Casey VFL practice match