SCORPIONS MAKE IT THREE IN A ROW

[Demonland 73,140]

by KC from Casey

The Casey Scorpions produced a repeat of last week with a withering final term to overwhelm the Northern Bullants at Visy Park after a dour struggle over the first three quarters on Saturday. The Scorps' 37-point victory was their third in a row and puts them in positive territory at 5-4 going into the bye at the half way mark of the season.

Casey opened tentatively, over-possessing the ball early and gave the Bullants the first goal of the match with an errant handball. Paul Wheatley finally got the team on the map with a trademark long bomb goal that was answered swiftly. Momentarily, it seemed like it was going to be a long day at the office but a nice rover's goal from skipper Kyle Matthews squared the ledger.

Then followed a few moments of magic from Liam Jurrah who marked strongly for his first goal. He then received a free in front for a second and suddenly the game had opened up completely. The Casey small men, Matthews, Shane Valenti, Neville Jetta and Jamie Bennell were well on top for the visitors as they skipped to a 20-point lead at the break.

The Bullants came out with renewed vigour in the second quarter and set about making inroads into Casey's lead. The game turned into a scrappy affair with both sides flooding opposition forward lines making it difficult to score. A clever pass from Michael Newton led to Matthews' third goal but the Bullants were creeping closer thanks to the strong marking in front of goal by Brad Fisher.

A nasty incident behind play just before the half time that saw Rohan Bail leave the ground in a groggy state soured the atmosphere of the game. Bail was to play no more part in proceedings.

Casey's grip on the match was loosened after half time as the standard of the game deteriorated. It became a scramble with long stretches in which both teams made fundamental errors but the home side was able to capitalise better and managed to narrow the margin to just three points by the time the teams faced the coaches at the final huddle.

The only Casey major for the quarter came when Valenti brilliantly intercepted an opposition pass, marked and played on to Newton who kicked the easiest of goals.

The Bullants took the lead early in the final term after Fisher marked and kicked his sixth goal from the boundary but Casey fought back strongly. With Silvagni in the ruck and Martin back in defence the Scorpions began to open things up and to play the game on their terms with strong running and desperate football. In the end, they simply wanted the ball more than their opponents.

Bennell drifted forward to goal on run and Jurrah flashed into play with a long goal. An undisciplined piece of play from a Bullant defender saw Jetta receive a free after being dumped over the boundary line and a lucky 50-metre penalty and suddenly the Scorps held a 15-point lead. They went on with it as Jurrah kicked across the body for his fourth and Peter Faulks, playing his best game since coming to the club, sealed the issue with a long goal. Jurrah hovered over a pack to mark strongly but was penalised for hands in the back but Jetta made up for it with his third and Casey was home.

After the game, coach Peter German said he was pleased with the club's comeback after the 20 goals thrashing in the opening round at Sandringham.

German said that it was important to build a culture where players helped each other out. The team will need to continue to work on this aspect as it faces another tough challenge at its first outing after next week's bye - a road trip to Point Gellibrand where it faces up to one of the competition's powerhouses in Williamstown in the ABC Match of the Round.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Rohan Bail - flashed in and out off a defensive flank until he was king hit just before half time. Failed to return to the field after that.

Clint Bartram - was busy at times but poor disposal and decision making let him down.

Jamie Bennell - played mainly in defence and was impressive for the full four quarters with his clever play and crisp ball use. Had a brief stint in midfield and drifted forward for a nice goal late in the game. A good chance for promotion on this performance.

Lynden Dunn - a strong game mainly in midfield creating a lot of run and space. Had plenty of the ball and is ready for a return to the top level.

Danny Hughes - quiet in the first half but worked his way back into the game and took some strong marks when it mattered.

Neville Jetta - a talented young footballer who showed some flashes of magic. Knows where the goals are too!

Liam Jurrah - shook of a tag from former Demon Chris Johnson to kick four goals three behinds (one poster) and was unlucky to have a free awarded against him when he took what appeared a fabulous mark above a pack. A strong mark and sensational kick, Jurrah is an excitement machine who is not all that far off promotion to AFL level.

Jordie McKenzie - not as prolific as last week but still made a useful contribution to the team's midfield.

Stef Martin - a steady game mainly in defence and shut Fisher down after the Bullant notched up five goals.

Michael Newton - was good with his chasing and tackling but made a few skill errors and struggled to get among the goals.

Ricky Petterd - quiet early but went back into defence where he looked more at home.

James Strauss - started on the interchange and didn't have much game time early. Played back with a run in the midfield. Disposal and decision making excellent.

Shane Valenti - works hard, takes the game on and is outstanding at this level. As long as he's around, the Scorpions are always in the game.

Paul Wheatley - still a little rusty after a long lay off but used his experience to the team's advantage and also kicked a long goal early in the proceedings.

Casey Scorpions 6.3.39 7.6.48 8.7.55 14.11.95

Northern Bullants 3.1.19 6.2.38 8.4.52 9.4.58

Goals

Casey Scorpions Jurrah 4 Jetta Matthews 3 Bennell Faulks Newton Wheatley

Northern Bullants Fisher 6 Ellard Hartlett McCorkell

Best

Casey Scorpions Bennell Faulks Jurrah Silvagni Jetta Matthews

Northern Bullants Fisher Ellard Hadley Russell Hartlett Edwards

The Casey Reserves took the early lead in the curtain raiser thanks to their accuracy in front of goal in the first half.

James Blaser and Trent Zomer kept the pressure on all game and the Scorpions coasted to an easy 8-goal victory to shore up their top four position.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Jake Spencer – had the shortest stint you could possibly have in a game after rolling his ankle at the first bounce.

Trent Zomer - selected up forward but spent good time in the ruck and was among the team's best.

Casey Scorpions 8.0.48 9.2.56 15.8.98 20.14.134

Northern Bullants 2.3.15 6.9.45 9.12.66 12.14.86

Goals

Casey Scorpions Waite 4 Sykes 3 Oldmeadow Scanlon Zomer 2 Blaser Clay Collins Liddle McLeod Patti Virtue

Northern Bullants Bannister 4 Dwyer 3 Higgs 2 Cunningham Meroli Neaves

Best

Casey Scorpions Blaser Zomer Williams Collins Waite Snow

Northern Bullants Gianfagna McDermott Neaves Higgs Bannister Prior