BACK TO NORMALITY

[Demonland 70,249]

BACK TO NORMALITY by KC from Casey

After a pre-season like no other and a forgettable opening twenty minutes to their 2011 campaign, things returned to normal for the Casey Scorpions as the "March madness" and "Fev Fever" were forgotten and the team ran over Geelong in the final three quarters to finish on an impressive note with a 27 point win on Saturday night at Casey Fields.

The undermanned Cats took the fight right up to the home team in the early going booting the opening five goals of the game but that was the end of the penny section for the visitors.

The Scorpions regrouped and kicked 13 of the next 17 goals in a complete reversal of the game's opening. As often happens, Casey's rucks, Jake Spencer and Max Gawn, took over and gave their on ballers first use of the football at the stoppages ensuring that they held control of the play. Jordan Gysberts, Michael Evans and the irrepressible Austin Wonaeamirri kept getting better as the game went on. By half time Casey trailed by 18 points but the team was playing with confidence.

After the break, it was total dominance with the Cats barely getting a sniff. The Scorps had a winning spine with Matthew Warnock and Tom McDonald in defence and Matthew Bate moving well up forward. With Gysberts and Wonaeamirri continuing to dominate through the midfield, Michael Newton had a field day and finished with 5 goals 4 behinds. He also had a hand in assisting in three or four more, such was his impact on his team's attack.

Acting captain James Wall continued to provide great leadership while Kyle Matthews recovers from his hamstring injury. Rian McGough, who has had an excellent pre season was also in good form as the Scorpions finished the game full of running.

Although the visitors fielded a depleted line up, Casey was also missing some handy performers in addition to Matthews who coach Bradley Gotch last week described as "the heart and soul of the place." Rover Danny Nicholls and defender Evan Panozza are both out with stress fractures while Ben Waite is missing through suspension. Michael Stockdale was back for his first game after a long layoff with a serious knee injury. Then there is a certain noted former AFL goal kicker who is working on getting himself right to play at this level some time soon.

In the absence of the injured players, the Scorpions welcomed youngster Aiden Lindsay (Gippsland Power) and Kieran McShane from the Box Hill Hawks to the fold. Senior debutants from Melbourne's list were Lucas Cook, Michael Evans, Max Gawn, Kelvin Lawrence , Tom McDonald and Daniel Nicholson. All of the newcomers made solid contributions ensuring that the new look Scorpions will be involved in some exciting football for the 2011 season.

Next week Casey travels to Port Melbourne for what promises to be a tough encounter against one of the competition's traditionally strong stand alone clubs.

See here for the Melbourne Football Club's official player assessments.

Casey Scorpions 1.1.7 4.6.30 8.13.61 13.14.92

Geelong 5.2.32 7.6.48 7.8.53 9.11.65

Goals

Casey Scorpions Newton 5 Evans 2 Lawrence Lindsay McGough Nicholson Riseley Wall

Geelong Corrigan Walker 2 Barham Cowan T Selwood Sheringham Simpson

Best

Casey Scorpions Wonaeamirri Wall Newton Gysberts McGough Warnock

Geelong West Cowan McLean Corrigan Barham Tutungi

The Casey Scorpions started slowly and lost their reserves game against an accurate Northern Bullants by 20 points at Visy Park today. Mark Weeks and David Bell were the team's best.

Casey Scorpions 0.1.1 3.4.22 8.12.60 12.16.88

Northern Bullants 7.1.43 11.3.69 14.4.88 17.6.108

Goals

Casey Scorpions

Dowse 4 Gent 2 Allen Carew Cleven Fitzpatrick Harrison Purdy

Northern Bullants

Church 4 Toman 3 Arrowsmith Labi Lincoln 2 Bray Caspersz Dorman Way

Best

Casey Scorpions

Weeks Bell Tynan Salton Harrison Dowse

Northern Bullants

Toman German Arrowsmith Overman Lincoln Church