WASTEFUL SCORPIONS

[Demonland 73,140]

WASTEFUL SCORPIONS by Brendan from Ballarat

The wasteful Casey Scorpions took on North Ballarat at Eastern Oval, Ballarat on Sunday and despite a strong finish they were let down by poor kicking for goal in what was a scrappy affair for most of the day. As a result, they were left 16 points in arrears after giving the reigning premiers a major scare and despite dominating the final term with 3.7 to 0.2.

The Roosters started strongly using the advantage of the breeze well to open up a 31 point lead at quarter time. This was to prove the difference between the sides because when the Scorpions had their turn with breeze, they were shockingly inefficient.

In the second term, Casey entered the fifty metre arc 22 times during the second quarter for an inaccurate return of 4.8 while the home side made the most of their limited opportunities scoring four straight goals from eight entries (50%). As a result, the Roosters took a 23 point lead into the main break.

The Scorpions applied great pressure on North Ballarat but the home side made the most of their opportunities with the wind and, although they seemed to be tiring, they took a comfortable 39-point lead with them into the huddle at the final break.

Casey finished full of running and had all the play in the final term but their poor conversion in front of goal was to

prove costly again. This time the Scorpions went inside fifty metres 23 times in the last quarter for just 3.7 proving once again and it’s simply impossible to win games of football if you can't kick straight.

Mark Jamar was in good form in the ruck and around the ground and gave small men Matthews (21 kicks, 6 handballs) and Valenti (14 kicks, 9 handballs) plenty of the ball but not enough to set up sufficient major scores. Matthews is a little beauty and reminds me of a Jack Russell chasing a rabbit.

Alex Silvagni (12 kicks, 1 handball, 9 marks) was solid again down back and James Wall (13 kicks, 8 handball, 6 marks) was solid for the whole four quarters. Together they continued to lead the way for the Scorpions as they have been doing for much of the season to date. Lynden Dunn was strong at the clearances and Daniel Bell was hard at the ball in the middle.

The Scorpions may well live to rue the loss of two games in consecutive weeks brought about by poor kicking in front of the sticks. They need to apply more scoreboard pressure if they are to start winning and keep their finals hopes alive.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Rohan Bail – did a few nice things: broke the lines from half back on a few occasions and his disposal was very good. (8 kicks, 4 handballs, 2 marks)

Daniel Bell – showed out with strength and hardness at the contested ball. Had a lot of the football and tackled well but also committed a few clangers. (11 kicks, 12 handballs, 3 marks)

Kyle Cheney - great in defence and even kicked a goal in the last in a very good game. (8 kicks, 13 handballs, 5 marks)

Lynden Dunn – worked hard and got a lot of the football around the ground. One of his team’s best on the day. (15 kicks, 9 handballs, 3 marks)

Daniel Hughes – a dangerous forward who drifted in and out of the game. Finished with two goals. (8 kicks, 8 handballs, 6 marks)

Mark Jamar – rucked well, took some really good grabs but again his kicking in front of goal let him down. Ready to make a return to the AFL. (13 kicks, 12 handballs, 12 marks)

Neville Jetta – chased and tried hard all day kicked a nice goal in the second but wasn’t a standout and had a quiet game by his standards. (6 kicks, 4 handballs, 2 marks)

Tom McNamara – quietly went his way. Worked hard and played a steady game. (8 kicks, 9 handballs, 7 marks)

Michael Newton – frustrating. He kicked one goal and five behinds and could have won this game off his own boot if he was on target. He missed a gettable shot from within fifty metres with the wind at his back. (11 kicks, 4 handballs, 6 marks)

Shane Valenti – worked hard and was his in and under self. (14 kicks, 9 handballs, 2 marks)

Jack Watts – a real emerging talent and a pleasure to watch. It was a highlight of the game for me to witness his freakish skills. On a number of occasions, he was cornered and managed to get out. In a game where Casey’s foot skills were lamentable Watts stood out like a beacon and one 55 metre pass to Newton was sublime. He was clearly the most superior player on the ground in terms of his disposal and ability to place the ball to a team mate’s advantage. (15 kicks, 8 handballs, 7 marks)

Casey Scorpions 2.3.15 6.11.47 8.13.61 11.20.86

North Ballarat 7.4.46 11.4.70 15.10.100 15.12.102

Goals

Casey Scorpions Bell Hughes 2 Cheney Jamar Jetta McGough Matthews Newton Wall

North Ballarat Smith 3 Driscoll Jones Richardson 2 Cartledge Clifton Goodes Sewell White Wundke

Best

Casey Scorpions Jamar Bell Wall Silvagni Valenti Dunn

North Ballarat Smith Moloney Garlett Stephenson Clifton Jones

The Casey Reserves opened the day with a flourish to take a comfortable 26 point lead at the first break and held onto it till half time. They then dominated the second half and eventually ran out 50 point winners. Ben Waite continued his run of good form providing a good target up forward and booting three goals.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Rhys Healey – started well early but I didn’t see much of him after half time. May have been injured. (3 kicks, 6 handballs, 2 marks)

Liam Jurrah - threw a scare into the sparse early crowd when carried off with a leg injury but came back to kick a couple of nice goals. Took some nice contested marks and generally looked the goods. (7 kicks, 6 handballs, 6 marks)

Jake Spencer - the best ruckman on the ground, Spencer was excellent in the rucking contests but his kicking leaves a bit to be desired. (7 kicks, 11 handballs, 5 marks)

James Strauss – a class above this standard as his statistics indicate. Excellent across half back, reads the play so well and set up a lot of plays with his accurate delivery of the football. (16 kicks, 20 handballs, 9 marks)

Paul Wheatley - an excellent return after a long period out with injury. Although used sparingly, he was prolific ball winner who backed up his play with good disposal. (13 kicks, 9 handballs, 5 marks)

Trent Zomer – in and out of the game and kicked a goal when he went forward. (10 kicks, 2 handballs, 5 marks)

Casey Scorpions 5.4.34 7.6.48 10.11.71 15.14.104

North Ballarat 1.2.8 3.4.22 3.10.28 7.12.54

Goals

Casey Scorpions Waite 3 Creed Jurrah Oldmeadow Scanlon 2 Blaser McLeod Sykes Zomer

North Ballarat McMahon Radley 2 Bell Linke Raworth

Best

Casey Scorpions Creed Lees Scanlon Blaser Spencer Waite

North Ballarat McMahon Beardsell Peters Hall Limb Niblett