ANOTHER CLOSE ONE by KC from Casey

[Demonland 64,408]

The Casey Scorpions opened their 2013 practice match series by producing yet another narrow victory to overcome a fast finishing Frankston Dolphins outfit by two points in a thriller at Casey Fields.

Despite the loss, the close result was a credit to the stand alone Dolphins who had to contend with a team that had no less than a dozen AFL listed players and almost beat them.

The match started in fine conditions and the Scorpions opened strongly with the first goal to big Jake Spencer. They dominated the first ten minutes of play before the Dolphins, in their third practice game, counter-attacked with two quick goals to grab the lead. The Scorpions regrouped to hold sway for the remainder of the term with goals to Brayden Fowler and Aaron Davey, who was in everything, giving them an 8 point lead at the first break.

The conditions worsened quickly as dark clouds began to cover the ground bringing a steady drizzle that turned to rain in a second quarter which saw the Scorps continue to dominate without doing that much damage on the scoreboard. The lead was out to 15 points at the half and thanks to early goals in the third to Tim Smith and Davey, Casey suddenly held a game high 28 point lead.

However, the visitors did not give in but instead, they persisted, raised the pressure levels all over the ground and played more direct football as they slowly reeled back the deficit. By the final break Frankston looked confident and trailed by only 11 points.

The Dolphins continued where they left off in the early stages of the final stanza and broke through for two goals to take the lead for the first time since the opening quarter. The Scorps were stung into action and indigenous pair Nev Jetta in defence and the dangerous Davey up forward got them home, the latter with a great soccer goal and the former with some cool play under pressure down back. It was a nailbiter but the siren sounded with the home side just two points ahead, the narrow win a regular scenario at this ground over the past twelve months.

The Scorpions have weathered some difficult moments during the off season and still bear the scars of those tumultuous times that had some reading the club its last rites following the collapse of its poker machine venture. While other VFL clubs are spending up big on recruits, only one newcomer, tall local lad Michael Boland from Cranbourne, made the senior team. He showed promise and kicked an important goal against the run of play in the third quarter to stem the tide when the Dolphins had taken the ascendency.

The cheque books might be out of sight but a few loyal servants in Kyle Matthews and Evan Panozza are still there. Casey will also be relying on more improvement from the likes of Michael Riseley, Luke Tynan, Brayden Fowler and the enigmatic Tim Smith to progress this season. Youngsters Mitch Gent and Nathan Page were impressive.

It took the club a long time to announce its coach for 2013 and Rohan Welsh needs an injury-free year from the Demons to enable his team to contend with some of the more free spending clubs in the competition. They face a real test against the Borough next week without the luxury of AFL players other than a few who might be permitted to play due to a return from injury.

In the early game, Casey was down at half time by eight points but a five goal to one third quarter saw them home by 29 points.

VFL Casey Scorpions 11.12.78 defeated Frankston 11.10.76

Development League Casey Scorpions 13.12.90 defeated 9.7.61

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Dominic Barry - a livewire who oozes potential. He looks the type who can cause damage when he gets out on his own but is lightly built and was brushed aside far too easily in this game. Will benefit from a year of learning the ropes at VFL level but don't expect to see much, if any, AFL action this year.

Mitch Clisby - this was his first pre season hit out and he looked in his element. He got his hands on the footy and used it well to the team's advantage.

Thomas Couch - hard at it in the middle but lacked a little in pace and his disposal wasn't great. If he plugs away, opportunity might come his way during the season but, at this stage he is behind the young midfielders as well as the other mature agers in Magner and M Jones.

Aaron Davey - the classiest player on the ground and his use of the footy was top shelf. Has lost a bit in pace and got a fair bit of attention but was good around goal and deserved more protection from the umpires. At one stage, he was tackled when he didn't have the footy, then laid a perfect tackle on an opponent, then got crunched and still went unrewarded. He was one of the main reasons why Casey got up to win.

Troy Davis - was solid in defence and mostly did the right things even during the pressure cooker moments in the final term. Has been criticised for his disposal but, apart from one crucial error, was quite good in this area.

Michael Evans - worked hard in the midfield and around the ground. Has been out for a long time with injury problems but looks as if he might be able to force his way back into AFL contention if he can remain fit.

Jack Fitzpatrick - flashed in and out in both the ruck and up forward. Moved well at one stage to take a nice grab in front of goal but let himself down with his kicking for goal.

Neville Jetta - copped an early knock to the ribs but kept going all day and was cool under pressure in defence, particularly in the tense final quarter. I had him down as the team's best.

Joel Macdonald - generally safe with the football down back and his experience was invaluable in the tighter moments.

Jake Spencer - started well with an early goal but didn't dominate the ruck as one would have expected. Participated in a battle of ruck dinosaurs and broke even at best. Still awkward with his kicking and I'm just not sure where his career will go in light of the new ruck rules.

Rory Taggert - like Evans, has missed a lot of football through injury. Looks a balanced footballer with a neat kick but still needs to put in a fair bit of work.

Josh Tynan - has built up nicely since last year but is another who still needs a lot of work at this level.