THE BREATH OF LIFE

by KC from Casey

The Casey Scorpions returned to the winner's list and stayed in touch in the race for a VFL top eight position on Sunday at Casey Fields with an impressive 36 point win over Geelong.

It was an impressive outcome after a couple of disappointing losses, particularly as it came against virtually the same team that a week earlier had beaten Sandringham in a thriller at Trevor Barker Beach Road Oval.

The game was played in near perfect conditions and the Scorpions fielded a strong contingent that included Kyle Cheney and Lynden Dunn who flew back from the Coast after not being required by Melbourne as emergencies for the St. Kilda game. Their presence was much appreciated down at Casey Fields and they were dominant as the Scorpions took the lead in the early goings. Together with Shane Valenti and Kyle Matthews they generated enormous drive into the forward line and kept their side on top for most of the game.

Casey's forwards responded in the early going with Michael Newton booting two goals and Russell Robertson the other as it took a handy 17 point lead into the first break; a lead would have been even greater but for some wasteful shooting for goal with the high flying Robertson the main offender.

This pattern was maintained throughout the game, although in each quarter it was a different forward who was doing the scoring. At various times it was Danny Hughes and Liam Jurrah doing the goal scoring and finally it was Robertson found his kicking boots late in a game in which he could easily have finished with a larger bag than his three goals had he been on target.

The real constants in the game was the hard work of midfielders Valenti, Dunn and Matthews and utilities like Cheney and Ricky Petterd who provided constant drive to the hungry forwards who ensured that home team would retain control. As a consequence its lead was stretched at every interval. By half time that lead was 23 points and it extended out to 29 at the final break before the Scorpions cruised to a well earned six goal victory.

One of the unsung heroes of the Casey effort was defender James Wall who was called upon to take up the huge job of rucking against the Geelong tall timber when big Jake Spencer went down with an injured groin.

Jack Watts, the number 1 selection from last year's national draft, did well on a wing and impressed with his crisp disposal and faultless decision making. Another graduate of the TAC Cup system in Michael Stockdale who missed out in the draft is making an impression at Casey. He is improving with every game and is proving to be a quality recruit in his debut season after coming to the club from the Gippsland Power.

Rangy defender Peter Faulks worked hard and tackled strongly in the Scorpion backline while the reliable Alex Silvagni was involved in an engrossing battle with his opponent.

Overall, the game was a fantastic team effort and it breathed life back into the Scorpions season. They are now in 9th place and face a must win encounter next Saturday at home against Werribee Tigers Werribee in the ABC TV Match of the Round (starting at 1.00 pm).

PICTURE FROM CASEY

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Rohan Bail - played off a half back flank and it had a quiet day.

5 kicks 6 handballs 1 mark

Clint Bartram - started slowly but got a bit of it towards the end. His disposal was not precise enough to really hurt the opposition and, on this game, he isn't pushing for a recall.

12 kicks 9 handballs 7 marks

Kyle Cheney - unlucky to be dropped a week or so ago and was really good in this game. Had the ball on a string, made good decisions, won contested ball, and always looks composed. The class player of the game.

19 kicks 13 handballs 10 marks 1 behind

Lynden Dunn - is very strong at this level. Found a fair bit of the ball and kicked a really good goal from long range in the third quarter. Definitely pushing for promotion and … If only he was stronger overhead, he could be something.

21 kicks 7 handballs 6 marks 1 goal 1 behind

Danny Hughes - when he's on song he's a very, very dangerous forward. Booted three and was lively.

7 kicks 8 handballs 8 marks 3 goals 0 behinds

Neville Jetta - made a bright start but really didn't have a much of an impact and faded as the game went on.

10 kicks 4 handballs 2 marks 3 behinds

Liam Jurrah - for three quarters he just went but when he switched on in the last quarter, he showed some innate talent that had many going, "wow!" That final term might one day be considered the one in which he "turned the corner" although I think he's still a long way off playing at AFL level. When he finally makes it though … watch out because he will do the "amazing".

10 kicks 7 handballs 5 marks 3 goals 1 behind

Jordie McKenzie - had a quiet day but what he did he did well. Makes good decisions and disposes well and showed some good second and third efforts. His form has dropped a peg or two from his really good start but he was still very serviceable.

3 kicks 10 handballs 0 marks

Tom McNamara - played a solid game without doing anything outstanding.

6 kicks 5 handballs 5 marks

Michael Newton - seems to be showing more hunger these days. He chased, tackled and competed and kicked three goals. Could have been handy up on the Gold Coast on Saturday night.

14 kicks 5 handballs 9 marks 3 goals 2 behinds

Ricky Petterd - played forward and on the ball and really looked like he enjoyed the freedom of being up the ground. Kicked some good goals, took some good marks and found a fair bit of the pill. Kicking is the issue.

15 kicks 12 handballs 7 marks 2 goals 0 behinds

Russell Robertson - too good for this level. Played full forward all day, took some terrific marks he had no right to take and had 9 or 10 shots at goal with very poor conversion. Tried to chase and pressure but often went to ground and didn't bounced up quickly enough for me.

12 kicks 0 handballs 12 marks 3 goals 6 behinds

Jake Spencer - injured early.

1 kick 2 handballs 2 marks

Shane Valenti - he's exceptional at this level but, at the elite level, his physical limitations could find him out. Nevertheless, will push for promotion on that display.

14 kicks 14 handballs 1 mark 1 behind

Jack Watts - is progressing nicely and finding a bit of the ball through the centre. Kicking, decision making, clean hands below his knees, lateral movement were all top notch

13 kicks 9 handballs 2 marks

Casey Scorpions 3.6.24 7.9.51 11.12.78 16.15.111

Geelong 1.1.7 4.4.28 7.7.49 11.9.75

Goals

Casey Scorpions Hughes Jurrah Newton Robertson 3 Petterd 2 Dunn Valenti

Geelong Podsiadly 4 Johnson 2 Allwright Hunt McKenna West Westwood

Best

Casey Scorpions Valenti Wall Cheney Dunn Watts Faulks

Geelong Hogan Hunt Laidler Podsiadly West Allwright

Casey Scorpions Reserves moved to fifth on the ladder with a comprehensive 49 point victory over the Northern Bullants. James Taylor and James Blaser were the best players and Trent Zomer booted five goals for the winners.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

James Strauss - ball magnet of half back and disposes of the ball crisply and accurately.

17 kicks 15 handballs 9 marks

Paul Wheatley - coming along nicely after a long lay off with injury. Should be in the senior team for a full game next week.

9 kicks 10 handballs 5 marks

Trent Zomer - played forward and had a good game with five goals but against lacklustre opposition.

10 kicks 3 handballs 5 marks 5 goals 1 behind

Casey Scorpions 4.2.26 7.7.49 12.12.84 19.16.130

Northern Bullants 1.2.8 6.4.40 10.8.68 12.9.81

Goals

Casey Scorpions Zomer 5 McGough Waite 3 Clay MacReadie 2 Collins Scanlon Strauss Taylor

Northern Bullants M Anderson Neaves 4 Everington McMahon Power Stavely

Best

Casey Scorpions Taylor Blaser MacReadie Williams Strauss McGough

Northern Bullants Everington Prior Neaves McDermott Totino Stavely