SLOW START COSTLY FOR SCORPIONS

[Demonland 73,140]

SLOW START COSTLY FOR SCORPIONS by KC from Casey

For the second week in a row a slow start hampered the Casey Scorpions in their endeavours to win a game. Last week, they were good enough to make a successful comeback but against Port Melbourne at TEAC Oval on Saturday, they gave away too much of a lead to enable them to rein in the home side: the result - a ten point loss to a team that has in recent times become their nemesis.

Casey conceded the first goal in the opening minute when Matt Fieldsend caught a ball thrown at him after a penalty was awarded in the middle to a Port player. The technical 50 metre penalty gifted the Borough a goal that was soon answered by spearhead Michael Newton but it was the first of six fifty metre penalties for the day, four of which resulted in goals given away, lapses which certainly played their part in the eventual result.

For the next two and a half quarters, the opposition was simply too strong for Casey. They worked in numbers to exert pressure and set up play and were prepared to put their bodies in first and their disposal and decision making were top notch. They also kicked accurately and took advantage of their knowledge of local conditions. This allowed Port Melbourne to skip away to a 25 point lead at quarter time and extend that to seven goals at the main break.

Special commendation should go to defenders Joel Macdonald, Tom McDonald and to the improving Michael Riseley who kept a dangerous opponent under control all day. Their efforts were noted particularly when the team was under fire in the opening half.

After the break, Port opened as it did in every quarter of the game - with a goal. However, a scuffle behind play resulted in a free and a goal to Addam Maric and, from that point on, the tide started turning although the comeback was stalled by consecutive 50 metre penalty goals in mid quarter.

This setback seemed to steel the visitors and they lifted in the middle with the ruckmen coming good. They provided plenty of the ball to the midfield with the likes of Neville Jetta and Michael Evans getting the ball out cleanly into the forward line where Matthew Bate and Newton started getting on top of their defenders. Skipper James Wall also produced some important passages of play and kicked a vital goal during this term. By the final break, the lead had been whittled down to 27 points.

Although, deprived of the wind advantage by moderating weather in advance of a coming rain storm, Casey kept plugging away in the final quarter with Newton proving a dangerous target. He booted three goals one behind for the term as the team stormed the goals, particularly late in the game. Unfortunately, the siren thwarted Casey's hopes.

The Scorpions have another tough road trip coming up this week when they meet reigning premier North Ballarat on the goldfields. Hopefully, they will get away to a good start this time.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Matthew Bate (10 kicks, 6 handballs, 5 marks, 2 goals) - was virtually unsighted in the first half and struggled to get into the game but did play a part in Casey's resurgence in the third quarter. He passed to James Wall for a goal and then kicked two himself. Worked hard after that but seems to be lacking in confidence.

Sam Blease (6 kicks, 1 handball, 1 mark) - at times he was brilliant but he was not consistently so. Played wing and half back and gave a lot of run but he needs to work even harder if he wants to make the big time.

Lucas Cook (5 kicks, 4 handballs, 5 marks) - rangy forward who has talent and took a couple of nice marks but is very much in the early stages of his football development.

Michael Evans (12 kicks, 9 handballs, 4 marks) - a real prospect in the midfield. Has pace and football smarts and is very constructive.

Max Gawn (2 kicks, 8 handballs, 0 marks) - started slowly but worked his way into the game with some clever ruckwork, strong marking and clever around the ground play. However, ruckmen take time and he requires patience.

Neville Jetta (11 kicks, 10 handballs, 4 marks) - worked hard but was frustrated early and then recovered to finish the game strongly. Was responsible for many forward pushes at crucial stages in his team's comeback.

Kelvin Lawrence (4 kicks, 5 handballs, 1 mark) - looked all at sea in the first half and at times was easily brushed aside. To his credit, he lifted with the team's increase in tempo from halfway through the third quarter.

Joel Macdonald (5 kicks, 15 handballs, 1 mark) - was good for Casey throughout the game, probably the only consistent performer over four quarters.

Tom McDonald (7 kicks, 4 handballs, 3 marks) - played well in a key defensive post and really showed great maturity for one so recently out of under 18 ranks.

Addam Maric (14 kicks, 11 handballs, 2 marks, 3 goals) - kicked three goals and was particularly influential after half time. He appeared to have been decked behind the play and then won the free after a scuffle with his opponent. He lifted after that and finished high among his team's best.

Michael Newton (15 kicks, 0 handballs, 7 marks, 6 goals) - kicked six goals and had a near miss late in the game. Marked strongly but also did the hard things like chasing and tackling and was stiff to be penalised 50 metres for a marginally late attempt to spoil a Port Melbourne mark.

Dan Nicholson (10 kicks, 6 handballs, 3 marks) - like Evans, he showed a bit. Has pace and balance and is prepared to run and carry.

Ricky Petterd (14 kicks, 3 handballs, 7 marks, 1 goal) - it was a bit of a surprise to see him out there as it was thought he would be the emergency for Melbourne. It was a pretty flaky performance in which he went from producing the spectacular to periods when he seemed to disappear from sight. Won't get a promotion on that effort.

James Strauss (11kicks, 1 handball, 5 marks) - couldn't put a foot right early in the game but worked hard to set things right. Unfortunately, it's not happening for him at the moment.

Jake Spencer (3 kicks, 7 handballs, 1 mark) - worked hard in the ruck contests and had his moments around the ground.

Casey Scorpions 2.2.14 5.5.35 11.9.75 17.12.114

Port Melbourne 6.3.39 12.5.77 16.6.102 19.10.124

Goals

Casey Scorpions Newton 6 Maric 3 Bate Fieldsend Wall 2 McGough Petterd

Port Melbourne Keely 3 Bentick Cain Galea Valenti 2 Batsanis Dwyer Edwards Fanning Langford Lynch McMahon Rose

Best

Casey Scorpions Maric Newton Wall Jetta Riseley McDonald

Port Melbourne Dwyer Dillon Batsanis Bentick McMahon Fanning

The Casey Reserves were overwhelmed by a strong Port Melbourne combination. Promising defender Brayden Salton from Gippsland Falcons stuck to his opponent well on a day when Brendan Fevola booted three goals from limited opportunities on debut for his new club.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED by Ice Station

Troy Davis - playing his first game after recovering from a thyroid problem, Davis managed 10 disposals in the first half before being rested in a good return.

Jack Fitzpatrick - marked strongly and kicked a good goal. Is

making good progress on return from a foot injury.

Jeremy Howe - another coming back from injury, Howe took a couple of nice marks and kicked two goals.

Tom McNamara - looked solid and ready to return to the senior team.

Casey Scorpions 2.2.14 3.5.23 7.9.51 9.11.65

Port Melbourne 6.2.38 10.6.66 15.7.97 22.10.142

Goals

Casey Scorpions Fevola 3 Howe 2 Bell Carew Fitzpatrick Purves

Port Melbourne Pitt 6 Sengstock 4 Burstin Mullins 3 Scipione 2 Allan Dermott Free Smith

Best

Casey Scorpions Salton Tynan Petropoulos Collins Purves Allen

Port Melbourne Woods Henderson Pitt Thornton Baird Free