CASEY HITS THE COAST

CASEY HITS THE COAST by KC from Casey

The Casey Scorpions travelled north for their round 4 game on Saturday afternoon and did just enough to come home with the four points against the VFL newcomers Gold Coast after a tight contest at Fankhauser Reserve, Southport this afternoon.

The game opened in brilliant sunshine and an early free kick to Liam Patrick, a cousin of injured Demon forward Liam Jurrah, saw the home team take the early lead but Casey replied with a nice snap across the body from Paul Johnson.

There was plenty of early heat in the game as the teams went goal for goal and it was not until late in the term that the Scorpions broke through for a goal through Rhys Healey to take a two point lead into the first break.

The players gained some welcome relief with the build up of cloud cover but the improved playing conditions seemed to turn the game into a defensive struggle with several bruising contests.

The game itself remained tight with both sides laying claim to the ascendency. Scorpions Ben Macreadie and Danny Nicholls were working hard on the ball and Paul Johnson dominated the ruck duels. Rian McGough booted a long goal and young first gamer Will Petropoulos added another but the Coasters always seemed to have an answer. Nathan Ablett, who was quiet for most of the game, bobbled up for a mark and his first goal for his club to give Gold Coast a nine-point half time lead.

The Scorpions were fired up at the start of the third quarter determined to show they meant business. Their resurgence was started by a mark and goal from Brad Miller which was answered by a long bomb from ex Magpie midfielder Danny Stanley. Casey then wasted a few opportunities in front of goal but was gaining control in general play if not on the scoreboard until another strong mark from Miller was converted when he kicked truly to give them the lead.

When Miller's partner in crime Michael Newton kicked another from long range the lead was stretched to 8 points. Though not a big lead, this margin seemed a reasonable buffer against a young team that looked to be tiring by three quarter time.

Full credit must go to the defence which held firm for most of the game. Tom McNamara, Kyle Cheney and Michael Stockdale were all but impassable and acting skipper James Wall's strong marking held up many promising Gold Coast forward moves.

The home team refused to give in but the Scorpions had all the answers in the final stanza. It was still goal for goal but the cream finally rose to the top when Jack Watts booted a goal and had a hand in another to Miller.

Casey looked like it might slip away from the Gold Coast but to their credit, they persisted and peppered the goals but they were off their feet by this stage and the visitors came home with an eight point victory to give them a handy well earned 3-1 record at this early stage of proceedings.

It was a real hit and run win for the Scorpions. They had arrived on the Coast on Friday afternoon and by 7pm the team was back on its way to Melbourne.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED by Whispering Jack

Daniel Bell - still finding his feet after injury and had little impact on the game.

Kyle Cheney - the best defender on the ground. Cheney was cool under pressure, delivered the ball well and was excellent in spoiling opponents.

Jordan Gysberts - silky smooth with his ball use by foot or by hand, Gysberts linked up well in the midfield.

Rhys Healey - kicked a goal early and had a hand in a few nice patches of play.

Danny Hughes - moved well around the forward line, took some nice marks and kicked a goal. Was at his most effective in the first half.

Neville Jetta - flashed in and out of the play but let himself down with some average disposal.

Paul Johnson - won convincingly in the ruck and proved a handfull for the inexperiencef opposition big men with his marking and sleek movement around the ground.

Tom McNamara - a solid game in defence where he kept his opponent covered most of the time through close checking and good spoiling.

Addam Maric - something of an enigma in that he looked dangerous at times around goal and would then go missing for patches of time. For a player who had a reputation for accuracy in front of goals at TAC Cup level, he continues to disappoint in this aspect of his play.

Brad Miller - started in defence but was soon moved forward and had a significant influence on the game after half time when he provided a strong marking target and contributed three goals.

Michael Newton - a good game from Juice who played forward with the occassional stint in the ruck. Marred his game with a few missed kicks but could be in line for a recall to the AFL.

James Strauss - quiet and unobtrusive but he move the ball to good effect and was a solid contributor.

Jack Watts - would not be happy with his game today as it wasn't what you would expect from a # 1 draft choice. However, I remain convinced that he has what it takes to eventually become a champion key forward for the Melbourne Football Club. Despite having a dirty day and copping flak from some of the idiots in the crowd, he showed more than a few things that suggest he is a cut above most others of his ilk with his fantastic pace and quick thinking. Watts always seems to have the time to make the right decisions, shows composure and had a few fantastic second and third efforts. I'm told that last week he kicked the goal to put Casey in front for the first time against North Ballarat. On Saturday, he kicked a vital goal in the last quarter and, a little later put in a terrific effort that allowed Brad Miller to kick the goal that sealed Gold Coast's fate.

Casey Scorpions 3.5.23 5.9.39 8.14.52 10.17.77

Gold Coast 3.3.21 7.4.46 8.6.54 10.9.69

Goals

Casey Scorpions Miller 3 Healey Hughes Johnson McGough Newton Petropoulos Watts

Gold Coast Shreeve Stanley 2 Ablett Ah Chee Dixon Iles Patrick Shaw

Best

Casey Scorpions Miller Johnson Cheney McNamara Gysberts McGough

Gold Coast Stanley Iles Matera Swallow Dixon Ablett

The presence of a few AFL listed players did not help a disappointing Scorpions Reserves who folded in a disappointing last half against the Werribee Tigers at Casey Fields today. Wade Lees was best and comeback Demon Austin Wonaeamirri booted three nice goals.

Casey Scorpions 5.1.31 8.5.53 10.10.70 12.15.87

Werribee Tigers 4.3.27 9.7.61 13.9.87 20.11.131

Goals

Casey Scorpions Wonaeamirri 3 Fieldsend 2 Blease M Dowse Lillie Plummer sImpson Spencer Sykes

Werribee Tigers Henderson Perkins 3 Baddeley Black Denton McKerracher Risol 2 Garland Kennedy Martiniello Simpson

Best

Casey Scorpions Lees Weekes Riseley Waite Fieldsend Wonaeamirri

Werribee Tigers Martiniello Baddeley Kennedy Harrison Gardiner Denton