CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR by KC from Casey

[Demonland 64,798]

Port Melbourne rarely loses on its home turf at North Port Oval and it took a barnstorming eight goal final term finish against the Casey Scorpions to protect its record and record a narrow three point victory on Saturday.

The result also avenged the Borough's loss from last year at Casey Fields when, as visitors, they led all day only to succumb by 9 points to the fast finishing Scorpions.

Casey was dominant in general play for the first three quarters although it kicked poorly in the early going which was to prove costly in the final analysis. The team took the lead early in the second term with fast improving Nathan Page's second goal and led by 17 points when they hit the sheds at half time.

The hard running Scorpions have been particularly strong in each of their third quarters this year and this week no exception as they increased the lead to four goals at the final break despite some spirited efforts early in the term by the Borough.

With James Magner, Tom Couch and young Jimmy Toumpas amassing plenty of touches in the midfield and Chris Dawes and Jack Fitzpatrick in strong marking form, the visitors looked set to break Port's home ground dominance at last.

Alas, it was not to be as Port Melbourne unleashed a withering final term and took just six and a half minutes in which they scored four goals to wrest away the lead. Casey them regrouped and looked to have secured the game with the next three goals and by the half way mark of the quarter, was back in front by 17 points after David Rodan scored with a great check side goal.

But the Borough just kept going, propelled by strong legs and mature bodies and led by 9 points at the 30 minute mark. A late goal by Dawes and a long shot from Sam Blease that missed its mark saw Casey's undefeated run come to an end by a narrow margin. For the first time in a couple of seasons it was close but no cigar for the Scorps who had a reputation of late of winning all the heart stoppers.

Casey now has a vital home game coming up against the Box Hill Hawks after the bye for the State game and will be keen to emulate Port Melbourne and make its own ground a fortress from hell for visiting sides.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Sam Blease 21 kicks, 6 handballs, 27 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 0 goals, 3 behinds.

Mitchell Clisby 8 kicks, 6 handballs, 14 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles.

Thomas Couch 20 kicks, 8 handballs, 28 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 1 goal, 0 behinds.

Aaron Davey 15 kicks, 6 handballs, 21 disposals, 6 marks, 2 tackles, 1 goals, 0 behinds.

Troy Davis 9 kicks, 10 handballs, 19 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles.

Christopher Dawes 9 kicks, handballs, 5 disposals, 7 marks, 3 tackles, 3 goals, 1 behind.

Jack Fitzpatrick 10 kicks, 2 handballs, 12 disposals, 7 marks, 2 tackles, 15 hit outs, 3 goals, 2 behinds.

Thomas Gillies 2 kicks, 3 handballs, 5 disposals, 2 marks.

James Magner 10 kicks, 19 handballs, 29 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 1 hit out.

David Rodan 13 kicks, 6 handballs, 19 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals, 2 behinds.

James Sellar 13 kicks, 4 handballs, 7 disposals, 1 marks.

Rory Taggert 4 kicks, 4 handballs, 8 disposals, 1 marks, 4 tackles, 0 goals, 2 behinds.

Jimmy Toumpas 14 kicks, 11 handballs, 25 disposals, 10 marks, 4 tackles, 1 goal, 0 behinds.

Joshua Tynan 4 kicks, 3 handballs, 7 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles.

Casey Scorpions 1.5.11 5.9.39 10.11.71 14.14.98

Port Melbourne 2.3.15 3.4.22 7.5.47 15.11.101

Goals

Casey Scorpions Dawes Fitzpatrick Page 3 Rodan 2 Couch Davey Toumpas

Port Melbourne Scipione 4 O'Sullivan 3 Bonaddio O'Farrell 2 Cain Gale Pleming Woodley

Best

Casey Scorpions L Tynan Toumpas Fitzpatrick Sellar Gent Rodan

Port Melbourne O'Sullivan Wooffindin Baird Skipper Pleming Scipione

The development league team returned to the winning list with a 3 point victory thanks to a dominant performance from forward Ben Hughes who booted seven goals.

Casey Scorpions 1.5.11 6.7.43 9.10.64 12.14.86

Port Melbourne 2.5.17 4.7.31 7.12.54 11.17.83

Goals

Casey Scorpions Hughes 7 Barry Long Pollard Smith Troutman

Port Melbourne Whelan 3 Johnston 2 Allan Hammond Johns Mascitti Muling O'Sullivan

Best

Casey Scorpions Petropoulos Hughes Lindsay Corrigan Troutman Fowler

Port Melbourne Muling Smith Whelan Johnston Rounds Mascitti