BURRAS COOKED BY CASEY

[Demonland 64,385]

BURRAS COOKED BY CASEY by KC from Casey

The Casey Scorpions shrugged off last weekend's disappointing loss at the hands of Werribee and returned to form in their top of the ladder clash with Port Melbourne by recording a stunning come-from-behind 9 point victory at Casey Fields on Sunday.

The game against the Borough who are the reigning premiers as well as ladder leaders was played in perfect conditions and the home team's last half comeback produced an exceptionally high standard football as the teams traded goal for goal in a high scoring encounter.

Early in the game however, it was all Port Melbourne as the visitors piled on the first six goals straight with quick ball movement and precise disposal while Casey struggled in front of goal managing only four behinds before former Demon skipper Brad Green scored their first major late in the term. Fellow veteran Aaron Davey added another before the quarter time siren but Casey was still in arrears by 20 points.

The Scorpions were quick out of the blocks with the first two goals after the break to get them back into the game but Port regained the momentum with a chain of four unanswered goals to go into the sheds at the main break with what appeared to be an unassailable lead of 34 points. Defenders Luke Tynan and Evan Panozza were working hard down back while Matt Fieldsend was getting a lot of the ball.

The third quarter fight back by Casey was immediate and dramatic with three early goals from Jack Fitzpatrick, Neville Jetta and Green who was starting to do damage on the Scorps' forward line. The Borough tried to fight back but Couch and Green were on target and, despite a shocking double fifty metre penalty that resulted in a goal to the Borough, one had the sense by orange time that Casey was well placed to come over the top of the visitors who still led by 10 points.

The Scorpions have become accustomed to close finishes throughout the 2012 season and this game was to prove no exception although the visitors started the final term off with a goal from a free kick to extend their lead to 16 points. Fortunately, they couldn't counter Brad Green's dominance in the air or on the ground and he set up the victory with his first two goals of the quarter to peg back the lead.

Both teams were scoring freely as the lead changed hands in a quarter where the talents of Casey first year players Tim Smith and Nathan Page were well and truly showcased with two goals each. Smith took a couple of great grabs while Page, at one stage scooted out of a pack at great pace to slam through a vital goal. Green and Couch were there to see the Scorpions safely home in a great eight goal winning quarter and it was fitting that Jack Fitzpatrick took the last shot at goal in the dying stages. His kick registered a point but the big man's 31 hit outs and 16 touches were instrumental in giving his team a well earned victory and equal top place on the VFL Peter Jackson ladder.

Casey's tough stretch of matches continues with an away clash against Bendigo Gold at Windy Hill in the ABC televised match. The team will have to work hard again this week as their opponents inflicted a heavy loss on them when they met earlier in the season.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Unlike last week, this game resulted in several players putting their hands up for AFL promotion. The Demons are out of contention this season and one expects there to be some movement between the AFL and VFL teams starting with next weekend.

Lucas Cook - 9 disposals, 7 kicks, 2 handballs, 7 marks, 1 tackle. The young developing key position forward presented strongly in the air and was a useful contributor on the day.

Tom Couch - 25 disposals, 15 kicks, 10 handballs, 6 marks, 4 goals, 1 tackle. The hard working on baller produced the goods at just the right time with James Magner appearing to tire in recent games with the Demons. Couch looms as a likely replacement after complementing his excellent performance around the ground with four valuable goals when he went forward.

Aaron Davey - 22 disposals, 13 kicks, 9 handballs, 3 marks, 1 goal, 5 tackles. The Flash put in a classical Aaron Davey performance with precision delivery of the ball in what must have been a big confidence boost for him. Now to translate that in the AFL.

Troy Davis - 10 disposals, 6 kicks, 4 handballs, 5 marks. Davis was beaten on the day by one of the AFL's stronger forwards who was well serviced down the ground for most of the day. Nevertheless, he plugged away for the four quarters and did some nice things.

Jack Fitzpatrick - 16 disposals, 8 kicks, 8 handballs, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 31 hit outs, 1 goal. The best ruckman on the ground and possibly his best performance since joining the club. Needs to improve his disposal, particularly kicking for goal.

Brad Green - 21 disposals, 18 kicks, 3 handballs, 9 marks, 3 tackles, 6 goals. A welcome return to the form of old. His kicking for goal was great and in stark contrast to his last game at Melbourne prior to his injury. Will be back in the red and blue next weekend.

Jordan Gysberts - 24 disposals, 9 kicks, 15 handballs, 2 marks, 4 tackles. A ball magnet inside who deserves a break and hopefully will get one in the next week or so.

Neville Jetta - 14 disposals, 10 kicks, 4 handballs, 7 marks, 1 goal. Jetta worked hard in his second game since returning from a long term injury and possibly ran out of steam at the end. Will be better for the game time and if he keeps up that effort, Jetta should get his opportunity at the higher level very soon.

Cale Morton - 15 disposals, 8 kicks, 7 handballs, 5 marks, 1 tackle. Had a run with role and did it well. Late in the game, he was instrumental in setting up the win with some creative play.

Ricky Petterd - 19 disposals, 14 kicks, 5 handballs, 5 marks, 4 tackles. Had a number of different roles and had a quiet first half before working his way back into the game in the second.

James Strauss - 11 disposals, 10 kicks, 1 handball, 3 marks, 2 tackles. Unobtrusively did his job in defence.

Leigh Williams - 8 disposals, 8 kicks, 5 marks, 1 goal. Showed some very good play in flashes and did well keeping the ball in the forward line with some strong tackling.

Casey Scorpions 2.3.15 4.5.29 10.8.68 18.10.118

Port Melbourne 6.1.37 10.3.63 12.6.78 17.7.109

Goals

Casey Scorpions Green 6 Couch 4 Page Smith 2 Davey Fitzpatrick Jetta Williams

Port Melbourne Galea 7 Burstin Dwyer Hinkley 2 Bonaddio Cain Pleming Valenti

Best

Casey Scorpions Fitzpatrick Green Couch Morton L Tynan

Port Melbourne Galea Valenti Pleming Pinwill Baird Dillon

Casey's Development League team had an even battle with Port Melbourne for the first three quarters before taking control in the final quarter and running away to win by 40 points. The Scorpions are now equal second on the ladder.

Casey Scorpions 2.4.16 6.11.47 10.14.74 16.18.114

Port Melbourne 3.5.23 6.6.42 10.8.68 11.8.74

Goals

Casey Scorpions Galvin 4 McGough 3 Lang 2 Corry Eddy Johnston Lindsay Petropoulos Roberts Troutman

Port Melbourne Weightman 3 Allan Edmondson 2 Bentick Larsen Musso Scipione

Best

Casey Scorpions Gent Collins Corry Galvin Allen McGough

Port Melbourne Bentick Purcell Scipione Gordon Edmondson Weightman