A NEW ERA

by KC from Casey

When the Scorpions ran out in their red, blue and white gear at Casey Fields yesterday it marked the beginning of a new era. It wasn't only the fact that this was the first game under the club's alignment with the Melbourne Football Club but also that there were so many fresh new faces among the Casey contingent that made it an exciting event.

You could sense that a new era was upon us.

The game was a scrambly affair from the start but the team opened brightly with the aid of a strong northerly wind in hot, dry conditions. The Scorpions were winning the ball well out of the middle in the early going and goals came to Aaron Hillberge, Liam Jurrah and Trent Zomer.

The Hawks were kicking poorly while the Scorpions were making every post a winner. Addam Maric was dynamic up forward in his comeback after hip surgery. Similarly, Austin Wonaeamirri who is also on the comeback trail (hamstring) was in everything early. By quarter time Casey held a comfortable 35-point lead.

Immediately after the break, Maric booted his third to give the team a comfortable lead. Box Hill attacked with the wind but was held out by a strong defence led by Alex Silvagni who was ably assisted by the experienced Jared Rivers and newcomer Michael Stockdale from the Gippsland Falcons

The Scorpions had the dominant big men on the ground with Paul Johnson and James Wall winning handsomely in the ruck and giving on ballers Kyle Matthews and Shane Valenti an armchair ride. A late rally by the Hawks saved them and saw the deficit reduced to 23 points at the main break.

Box Hill went negative after half time in a bid to prevent Casey from taking advantage of the strong wind advantage and succeeded by playing a possession game and going wide at every opportunity. Their defence got on top and kept the home team down to only two goals for the quarter against a single point scored by the Hillmen. With only 25 minutes to go they were still within reach of victory as the wind was strengthening.

The visitors managed to narrow the gap and piled on goal after goal to come within reach of the tiring Scorpions but a great captain's goal from Matthews saved the day for Casey which held on strongly in the last three or four minutes to win by just ten points.

Wall, Matthews and Valenti were the stars for Casey while Nar Nar Goon's Andrew Oldmeadow, Jordie McKenzie and Stockdale all promised exciting things to come. Rosedale recruit Ben MaCreadie who has dominated the North Gippsland Football League over the past two seasons, showed something in the clinches as well.

Although it was a scrappy affair in hot, windy conditions the Scorpions combined well given that many were still familiarising themselves with their new team mates. Coach Peter German still has plenty of players to come into his side and will be happy that he has the raw materials to build upon this game and the team can withstand the rigours of the tough, long season ahead.

The reserves were outpointed by Box Hill in the curtain raiser. Pierce Liddle who captained the Northern Territory Under 18 side last year showed his magical skills and looks a player of the future.

Next week's games are also at Casey Fields - this time against Frankston.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Paul Johnson - dominated the ruck and will play next week against the Roos. Casey had the two best big men in PJ and Wall and that probably held them in good stead.

Liam Jurrah - the odd touch of brilliance but was naturally rusty in his first run and will need a few games with Casey to get to where he needs to be.

Addam Maric – showed out with great disposal and he certainly knows how to find the goals. Kicked three himself and helped in a couple of others. Played a half and the sooner he is in the Demons' side the better because his general skills and his ability to hit targets are much needed there. I would almost be tempted to play him next week but they don't do things that way these days and for good reason. He will therefore get at least another run with Casey.

Jordie McKenzie – got a lot of the ball and showed a bit. Has time to develop to develop at Casey where he will soon become a favourite.

Jared Rivers - played most of the game and should be in the Melbourne side next week. A real class player who held sway in defence.

Shane Valenti - had leather poisoning. Dominated and will form a good combination with Casey small man Matthews.

Austin Wonaeamirri - appeared a little underdone due to his injury. Played half a game and will probably need another run with Casey opening the door for Jetta next week.

Trent Zomer – kicked a goal early but was often caught wrong footed and appeared a little slow. Was moved around a bit to try and get into the game.

Casey Scorpions 6.3.39 8.5.53 10.6.66 11.7.73

Box Hill Hawks 0.4.4 4.6.30 4.7.31 9.9.63

Goalkickers Maric 3, Bolton, Jurrah, Hillberge, Matthews, Scanlon, Sykes, Wall, Zomer

Best Wall, Matthews, Johnson, Valenti, Maric, Stockdale, Oldmeadow