SCORPIONS GEL WELL

[Demonland 73,140]

by KC from Casey

The Casey Scorpions successfully rounded off their pre-season programme in wet and windy conditions at Casey Fields on Sunday with wins for both senior and reserves teams over Coburg.

In the main game the visitors opened with the breeze and were first to settle down scoring early goals thanks to the early dominance of their midfield led by former Richmond best and fairest winner Mark Coghlan.

The Scorpions struck back however, with John Messen rucking well and this allowed his on ballers to turn the tide. Up forward Russell Robertson, returning from injury was the centre of attention and he didn't let the crowd down. He flew high for a spectacular mark and goaled. Moments later Michael Newton goaled and soon after Robertson unselfishly passed to Newton for his second. Coburg's early start and its wind advantage had been nullified.

With the change of ends the Scorpions began to assert their dominance over the game. Meesen was now in control in the ruck duels and Shane Valenti, Addam Maric Kyle Matthews and rookie Jordie McKenzie were getting the ball first out of the middle. James Wall was taking marks around the ground and Queenslander Rohan Bail was winning possessions and giving plenty of drive off half back.

The hard work was finished off by some indigenous magic from Northern Territorians Liam Jurrah and Pierce Liddle. Casey enjoyed a five goal lead at the main break after keeping Coburg goalless for the second term.

The wind strengthened after the main break as Coburg lifted. There was more urgency in the Tigers' game and they went long and direct. The goals flowed and suddenly they were back in the contest and it was only when they hit the lead that Casey moved to regain some momentum. Lynden Dunn was working hard and he goaled followed by another to David Collins. But Coburg was using the win well and struck back to hold a four point lead at three quarter time.

Casey had the last use of the breeze and it was skipper Kyle Matthews who played a fantastic final quarter to bring his team home. Matthews threw himself in for the ball in a great display of leadership and his desperate goal in mid quarter sapped the opposition's resolve. Casey came home with a wet sail to win by 23 points.

It certainly appears as if Peter German has the new alignment gelling together well but the first true test will come with the start of the season proper on Sunday when the team kicks things off at Trevor Barker Oval in what promises to be a most interesting start to 2009.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Rohan Bail - accumulated a lot of the ball running off half back in the first half and, whilst a little quieter after half time did enough to convince me that he's not too far away.

Lynden Dunn - played well on the ball and impressed when he went forward where he finished off with a couple of goals. Threw himself into every contest as if he had something to prove to club selectors and should get the nod this week.

Liam Jurrah - a really special player who will bring excitement and magic to the game. Has a low centre of gravity, can distance himself from his opponent in a nanosecond and can fly for a mark (although he missed a few in the wet and windy conditions). A few weeks off yet but the wait is going to be worthwhile.

Addam Maric - clever and skilful, he wasn't really suited by the early heavy going but forced his way into the game as conditions improved. Had an excellent final quarter where he set up some great plays and probably worked his way into Melbourne's team for Port Adelaide next weekend.

Jordie McKenzie - a decent effort as an inside player but not as outstanding in past weeks. Still, an interesting prospect who should develop at Casey this year.

John Meesen - played the best game I've seen from him last week and was just as good this week. Won the hit outs, marked around the ground and showed out with good hands and was strong in contests. The big question mark is whether he can reproduce that sort of form at a higher level and I think we'll find out in the coming weeks.

Michael Newton - went far and wide for a kick and put in a solid performance scoring three goals for the day. Had a few brain fades but seems to be settling down well at Casey.

Russell Robertson - stepped straight into the role of the Robbo we know. Took a couple of hangers, kicked a goal, gave one or two away and would have pleased the club with his half a game plus 5 minute cameo in the third quarter before he called it a day. Should be back at Melbourne in 2 to 3 weeks.

Shane Valenti - got lots of the ball and was good in the clinches on a day that was tailor made for him. Did nothing however, to suggest he should be elevated off the rookie list at this stage.

Trent Zomer - solid for the second week as a defender. Zomer seems better suited there than in attack but will find it a bit of a struggle to replace any of the existing tall backs at Melbourne.

Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 9.5.59 11.5.71 16.10.106

Coburg Tigers 4.2.26 4.5.29 11.9.75 12.11.83

Goals Newton 3, Dunn, Jurrah, Liddle 2, Collins, McLeod, Robertson, Silvagni, Stockdale, Valenti, Waite

Best Meesen, Bail, Liddle, Dunn, Wall, Matthews