Home again for Fevola

By Justin Robertson
Spearhead forward and troubled star Brendan Fevola has moved closer to his Beaconsfield roots as the Casey Scorpions continue to chase the signature that will see him play in the VFL this season.
After spending 66 days in Brisbane’s New Farm Clinic addressing his depression and associated illnesses, Fevola has knocked back offers from Frankston, Port Melbourne and Werribee and instead, attended his first training session this week at Casey Fields with the Scorpions.
Fevola’s management group, Velocity Sports, released a statement this week concerning his recent move to Melbourne: “We believe the VFL is the best place for him this year, and appreciate the commitment shown to him by the Casey management and coach Brad Gotch,” Alistair Lynch said. “Brendan will have a couple of runs with the club this week just to make sure everyone is happy and on the same page, and hopefully while he’s away we’ll close off a deal which will see him play with Casey in 2011.”
Melbourne Football Club chief executive, Cameron Schwab, criticised the Scorpions move to poach the former Brisbane Lions forward, concerned with the impact Fevola would have on the development of its younger key position players. “The fact they’ve made their own call is a position that they can take but we’ve made it known it is something we didn’t support. We don’t feel it is in the best interests of either club,” he said on 3AW radio earlier this week.
Scorpions coach Brad Gotch said that having Fevola at the club would boost their mature age stocks, but conceded he had a long way to go before he slotted into any position on the field once the season started.
“I spelled out to him my coaching philosophy, how I go about it and we had a good chat on the phone this week,” he said. End of the day I have to coach a team according to certain cultures and values, principles, and that game plan doesn’t rely on one person.”
Fevola will have to undergo a “mini” pre-season – according to Gotch – to get his body back in shape which could mean his first game for the Casey Scorpions might not be until round eight.
“Not sure about his fitness really, so just like everyone else we’ll have to break him down and get him right for footy,” he said.
“He’s really keen to get in there and help with the development of the younger players, so he’s saying all the right things at the moment.”
While Fevola lumbered around the paddock this week, Gotch said he felt the former Carlton and Brisbane Lions sharp shooter was in a “good place”.
“One of the big things, he’s coming off pretty serious problems and the one thing he knows is that he’s good at footy, and it’s something he’s gone back to,” he said. “I’m optimistic about him, but there are still some big boxes he needs to tick along the way.”