AGAINST THE WIND

[Demonland 73,140]

by KC from Casey

The Casey Scorpions faced near impossible task in the penultimate round of the 2009 VFL season. With AFL alignment partner Melbourne suffering a long injury list, the Scorpions had no option but to continue bringing young home grown talent into the team. That they managed to overcome their own demons and win a close encounter against quality opposition has gained them the admiration and respect of their supporters and the football public at large. However, as coach Peter German would be quick to add, there's still a long way to go.

Following last week's bye, the Scorpions were expected to come up fresh and with the aid of additional AFL players to assist the cause against the ladder leaders but that source was closed off by even more injuries at Melbourne and, as a result, this week's newcomers Josh Bolton and Jed Costigan were added to the long list of players – more than half the side – with less than 10 matches at this level.

By way of contrast, Williamstown had no shortage of Bulldogs available and even had the luxury of playing a few of them in the reserves. With a strong group of seasoned VFL stars they were entitled to start strong favourites so when they kicked off with the aid of the strong northerly and goaled within the first few minutes, it looked as if everything would go according to the anticipated script for the day.

But the young Scorpions had other ideas. They defended grimly and with great discipline against the strong freshening breeze and managed to bottle the game up on the defensive side for long periods. They even ran the ball forward on a few occasions but messed up a couple of scoring opportunities before conceding Willy a second goal at the 27 minute mark of the quarter to trail by just 15 points at the first change.

Casey was well served down back by Peter Faulks with James Wall pushing back when needed to lend assistance. Pocket rocket Michael Stockdale was in superb touch bobbing up everywhere on his way to 25 kicks 10 handballs and three marks. He was joined by Alex Silvagni, moved out of necessity to the midfield where he finished with 19 disposals and 5 marks.

The Scorpions were fortunate to have Tim Mohr in the ruck as a replacement for Mark Jamar who was called up the previous day to play for the Demons. Skipper Kyle Matthews was busy in and under packs and tackling hard like a terrier and Ben MacReadie racking up 10 kicks, 17 handballs and 3 marks and providing a contest for the ball.

Casey attacked with the wind and after a string of six behinds, Nick Scanlon marked strongly and passed to Ben Waite for its first goal three minutes into the second quarter. A long kick from Mohr bounced through and the visitors' lead had been cut to a point. Then a struggle ensued in which the home team's midfield held sway but the forwards were struggling to convert in the windy conditions.

The sole Melbourne senior listed player was Jamie Bennell and he provided great run off half back in this term with the Scorpions prepared to kick the ball long and move the ball quickly. They finally took the initiative with late goals to Demon rookie Trent Zomer and Waite for his second to hold a 13 point lead at the main break.

The Seagulls came out after half time determined to stamp their control over the proceedings and took little time to make up the leeway. They hit the front with two goals to the nine minute mark but, just as they looked like running away with the game, they started spraying their shots at goal in a wasteful display of forward play. When Casey went forward it was rewarded with a goal to Scanlon - the first for the game against the wind. As a result, Willy held an 11 point lead going into the final quarter and kicking against the wind.

Despite the advantage of kicking with almost a gale force wind, there was some fear among Scorpion fans that the team might tire against AFL hardened opposition. German asked for a big final quarter effort requiring his players to play smart, play on and keep moving the ball to advantage at all times. It paid dividends but the Williamstown players persisted throughout and managed to kick a one against the wind. Mohr who had recently been sidelined through injury for several weeks was inspirational kicking two goals and Matthews one as Casey showed a ton of guts to grab the lead at 28 minutes. The Seagulls momentarily snatched it back amid flashbacks of the game earlier this year at Williamstown when they won the game with a goal at the death. However, this time the Scorpions prevailed. Faulks booted a long bomb at the 31 minute mark to give them a five point lead and it seemed an eternity of nervous excitement before Wade Lees, who had been busy all day with 25 touches, took a mark and the siren sounded as he lined up for goal. The result was a point but it didn't matter. Casey had finally won a close one.

The late August winds sweep across Casey Fields long after the celebrations were over. The Scorpions, fresh from a significant win over ladder leader and premiership favourite Williamstown, are aware that the season is yet to run its full course: there's still more work to be done and little time to reflect on their famous victory over the Seagulls. There's an away fixture at Box Hill and an outside chance of slipping into the top four next week for starters.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

I hope that next week we see a substantially increased contribution from Melbourne players because you can't buy or bottle what Peter German has done for his team this year and the enthusiasm and desperate thirst for success that he has endowed on this group is awesome. The Demons can learn from this and should not underplay the importance for young players of playing finals football even at this level. German's assessment of the two Demons from melbournefc.com.au:

Jamie Bennell 10 kicks, 4 handballs, 4 tackles

"Jamie played well. He played across half-back and defensively he did a good job on his man. He was also prepared to run off and rebound, setting up two or three goals. Jamie now seems to be over his injury and should be looking for a recall to Melbourne in round 22."

Trent Zomer 4 kicks, 2 handballs, 2 marks, 1 tackle

Trent played centre half-forward. We didn't have too many talls, so he was given that responsibility as a target. It was a tough day for forwards, but Trent made some good contests and at times we asked him to play a sacrificial role. So he played reasonably well.

Casey Scorpions 0.4.4 4.8.32 5.8.38 9.13.67

Williamstown 2.7.19 2.7.19 5.19.49 7.19.61

Goals

Casey Scorpions Mohr 3 Waite 2 Faulks Matthews Scanlon Zomer

Williamstown Everitt Galea Gotch Joyce O'Keefe Skipper Stack

Best

Casey Scorpions MacReadie Stockdale Mohr Lees Faulks Silvagni

Williamstown O'Keefe Johnson Skipper Stretton Callan Wood

Reported Josh Bolton (Casey Scorpions) for charging Dean Galea (Williamstown)

This may sound like a broken record but it would be fair to say that the Scorpions were once again severely undermanned. The result was a predictable loss against a leading finals contender. Scott MacLeod was named his team's best.

HOW THE DEMON FARED

Again from Peter German's assessment at melbournefc.com.au:

Paul Wheatley

"Paul suited up and did the warm up, but we didn't want to take the risk, because he wants to set himself for Melbourne. We didn't want to put any pressure on him, when it will be a big day for him this week."

I dips me lid to Paul on a fantastic career with the Demons and for being such a great club man that he is prepared to get himself qualified to help the alignment at finals time. That's a lot more than I can say for some other players in the past.

Casey Scorpions 1.2.8 1.2.8 4.2.26 5.2.32

Williamstown 3.4.22 8.13.61 11.18.84 19.25.139

Goals

Casey Scorpions Sykes 2 Blackie MacLeod Virtue

Williamstown Cordy Cravino Langlands Ogle O'Shea Rampe Shaw Tanner 2 Jones Lockwood Lynch

Best

Casey Scorpions MacLeod Dean Clay Bolton Collins Terry

Williamstown Langlands Lockwood Rampe Wight Young Cravino