IN AND UNDER by KC from Casey

The signs were ominous for the Casey Scorpions early in their match against Port Melbourne at Casey Fields as a chilly northerly wind swept down their beleaguered ground. The surface showed the scars of the recent heavy rains in the Cranbourne area that saw the venue of their last home game moved but it provided few problems for the players. The same could not be said of the tricky winds that the Scorpions struggled to handle in the early phase of the game.

Casey had first use of the strong breeze but had trouble in going forward let alone scoring. Port Melbourne used the ball well kicking into the wind and working hard in and under the packs to get the footy and its intensity and desperation was on show from the start. The young Scorpion ruck duo of Jack Fitzpatrick and Dean Cleven, with half a dozen senior VFL games between them, had their hands full with the bigger bodied, experienced ex-AFL ruckmen David Fanning and Dylan McLaren who gave their teammates first use of the ball at the stoppages and Port took first blood after James Taylor kicked defensively across goal. By halfway through the first quarter, it led 2.2.14 to 0.1.1. Addam Maric and Luke Tapscott kicked goals to narrow the margin but Casey's poor disposal coming out of defence was still causing it grief and, as a consequence, Port Melbourne had well and truly set up an important victory by hanging on to hold a one point lead at the first break.

Coach Brad Gotch called on his players to play smarter when kicking into the wind and they responded early in the second quarter with the first three goals of the quarter. Brad Miller started things going with a goal off the ground and then Austin Wonaeamirri, who had been quiet, marked at the end of a nice chain of slick kicks. Maric was starring at this stage and combined with Tapscott for another nice goal and suddenly, the Scorpions goals led by 14 points - 5.2.32 to 2.6.18. However, at this point, there was yet another momentum swing. Port took over, their ruckmen lifted a notch or two giving their onballers an armchair ride and the Borough completely dominated the second half of the term after scoring their first major at the 15 minute mark. Goal after goal followed and the flow was only temporarily stemmed when Ben MacReadie, who was having a good game, accepted a pass from skipper Matthew Wall. A goal after the siren gave the visitors a three goal buffer as the players went into the sheds at half time. By that time, Port had kicked six of the last seven goals in just half of the quarter.

To make matters worse, the Scorpions again conceded the first goal despite having the advantage of the stiff breeze. They were simply being outplayed. Port Melbourne was winning in the air and was cleaner with the football and it locked Casey down for the first twelve minutes of the term when Wonaeamirri scored his second. This was the lifter and Maric chimed in for his third, followed by a goal Neville Jetta after a 50 metre penalty. When Miller booted his second at the 23 minute mark, scores were level. Playing just his second game of the season, Wade Lees kicked a nice goal followed by another from Rian McGough and the home team held a thirteen point lead at the final break.

The game was there to be won but it needed a massive effort against the strengthening wind. Port Melbourne struck first with a goal in the first minute but Evan Panozza, who had been rock solid in defence, followed his man down to goal and the Scorpions squandered a couple of opportunities before the momentum shifted again in mid term. The Borough took control, kicked the last six goals of the game and finished strongly to record a well deserved by 25 point win. Despite the emphatic finish, they probably secured their win with the statement they made with their great opening quarter.

MacReadie was the big possession winner with 16 kicks, 9 handballs and 5 marks and Danny Nicholls continued his consistent line of form with 19 disposals (15 and 4) and took two marks. Unfortunately, there were too many players who didn't work hard enough on the day as evidenced by the large number of players who failed to make it to double figures on the possession stats sheets. The level of Port's dominance was shown by its 100 disposals to 70 against the wind in the first quarter and 76 to 59 in the last when the game was there to be won.

For the Casey Scorpions, it was a disappointing return home and the team now has an eight day break to rest up and regroup for what has become a vital match up against fourth placed Collingwood. With the Borough breathing down both their necks, neither side can afford to give away the four points on offer.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED by Whispering Jack

Daniel Bell (4 kicks, 4 handballs, 1 mark) - has been good in recent weeks in a run with role but lowered his colours badly this time.

Jack Fitzpatrick (0 kicks, 7 handballs, 0 marks) - was given a difficult assignment in stopping Port Melbourne's seasoned ruck duo and, while he had his moments, struggled to match their strength and experience in the end.

Neville Jetta (7 kicks, 2 handballs, 4 marks, 1 goal) - apart from a nice goal and a few individual efforts, had a quiet day and won't get promoted on that performance.

Addam Maric (9 kicks, 4 handballs, 2 marks, 3 goals) - was Casey's best player for the first three quarters during which time he lit up the ground with some brilliant play across half forward. He kicked Casey's first goal with some classy play and set up the next for Luke Tapscott. He combined well with his fellow forwards to bring his team back into the game early in the second quarter and again when in the third quarter. Also created some run and hit targets playing down the field but, like most of his teammates, he drifted out of the game at the end.

Tom McNamara (15 kicks, 1 handball, 3 marks) - held the fort in defense early with Matthew Warnock and was solid under pressure all day.

Brad Miller (9 kicks, 7 handballs, 8 marks, 2 goals) - took a while to get going but eventually worked his way into the game. Took some solid marks and booted two goals and was his team's only focal point in attack. Missed a few including a crucial shot in the last quarter.

Luke Tapscott (13 kicks, 4 handballs, 5 marks, 1 goal) - surprised with his class and the drive he gave especially considering how much of the season he missed after his hip operation. Is hard at it and exceptionally long kick of the footy.

Matthew Warnock (5 kicks, 6 handballs, 4 marks) - had his hands full with the Port Melbourne big men but stuck to his task and was one of his team's best.

Austin Wonaemirri (6 kicks, 0 handballs, 2 marks, 2 goals) - had a slow start but came good with some clever forward play and a nice goal in the second quarter. Worked hard but needs to be more consistent through the game.

Casey Scorpions 2.2.14 6.2.38 12.5.77 13.9.87

Port Melbourne 2.3.15 8.8.56 9.10.64 16.16.112

Goals

Casey Scorpions Maric 3 Miller Wonaemirri 2 Jetta Lees McGough Panozza Tapscott Wall

Port Melbourne Scipione 4 Bentick Burstin McMahon Sinclair 2 Bonaddio Debruin Fanning Schultz

Casey Scorpions MacReadie Miller Warnock McNamara Maric Nicholls

Port Melbourne Fanning McLaren Bentick Valenti Wall Pinwill

The reserves took on Port Melbourne for the third time this season and, despite a good start against the breeze, were overpowered by an experienced opponent that had a the luxury of a goal kicking full forward who kicked six goals. To their credit, they the Scorpions came back to narrow the gap to 8 points at the end after the visitors held a 6 goal lead midway through the final term.

David Bell continued his brilliant run to be his team's best but only a whisker ahead of Brad Sykes who was dangerous around goal all game and finished with five goals. Sam Blease showed flashes of brilliance on a wing and later in the middle.

Casey Scorpions 4.2.26 8.4.52 10.6.66 15.9.99

Port Melbourne 3.5.23 7.9.51 11.13.79 15.17.107

Goals

Casey Scorpions Sykes 5 Hillberge Petropoulos 2 Lillie Patti Purdy Smith Tynan Waite

Port Melbourne Pitt 6 Bean Purcell 2 Castricum Deledio Dwyer Keely Neville

Best

Casey Scorpions David Bell Sykes Plummer Blease Burke Petropoulos

Port Melbourne Pitt Purcell Suckling Dalton Thornton Neville

Pleasing to see that Luke Tapscott is doing well after the wretched luck he had with the hip injury.