STRIKING GOLD by Ice Station

The long trip down the Western Highway was made worthwhile on Saturday for Casey Scorpions coach Brad Gotch, his assistants, the hardy supporters following the team and, of course, the players who made the long trip to Victoria's gold mining region when the visitors scored a handy win over reigning VFL premiers North Ballarat.

It would be fair to say that the Roosters, at the moment at least, are not the team that won the last three premiership flags. Retirements, AFL recruiters and injuries have seen to that. However, it is never easy for visiting clubs to win in the hostile playing environment of Eureka Stadium so the Casey Scorpions will be happy to come away from that venue for the second year in a row with a win.

Casey's team had a strong Ballarat flavour when it stepped out onto the field on an overcast day influenced by swirling winds that alternated between icy under the cloud cover to mild when the sun came out. Young Melbourne talls Lucas Cook and Tom McDonald were recruited from the North Ballarat Rebels in last year's national draft while rookie Daniel Nicholson who spent the previous two seasons with University Blues originally came from St Patrick's College, Ballarat and played with East Point in the local Ballarat competition. All did themselves and their team proud with sound performances and Nicholson, playing a midfield role and running with 2009 J.J.Liston Trophy Winner Myles Sewell, was best on the ground.

After a couple of slow starts in the early rounds, the Scorpions were on their game from the very beginning against an inexperienced North Ballarat line up, playing hard at the ball and causing numerous turnovers with a strong confident display. It was local boy Nicholson who got the team going with the first goal of the day and Ricky Petterd was also causing havoc up forward in the early going. The Roosters were held goalless in the first quarter and, trailing by 25 points, were already in trouble at the first break.

North Ballarat had only a handful of North Melbourne-aligned players and they wilted under the class of the Scorpions in the second quarter after an initial burst of two unanswered goals by North Ballarat. With experienced campaigners in Matthew Warnock dominating in defence and Joel Macdonald in control around the ground, the blowtorch was applied and Casey dominated proceedings with players who were too skilful and too quick by hand and foot. James Strauss and Sam Blease were in particularly good form and the lead at the half had opened up to 51 points.

After the break, the visitors remained in control but North Ballarat rallied and put in a far more competitive performance. Lucas Cook was very productive up forward and Jake Spencer and Max Gawn continued to win in the ruck against VFL representative ruckman Orren Stephenson but their teammates reverted to some sloppy play for a brief period that let the Roosters in for a few goals.

Casey soon steadied however, as one would expect from a team brimming with talent and 15 AFL listed players but the game was losing its momentum. As the cross breeze stiffened, the teams struggled to score goals and the last quarter became a dour affair with the home side kicking the only goal for the term against seven behinds.

By the final siren, the Casey Scorpions had made it two out of three for the season, doubling North Ballarat's score with an emphatic 56-point victory.

Matt Fieldsend and Tim Mohr were the best of the Casey listed players in a strong team effort and with more players becoming available, the team should be at full strength in a fortnight's time when it returns from the bye to play a televised fixture against local rival Frankston at Casey Fields in an ABC televised match.

[Vision from melbournefc.com]

HOW THE DEMONS FARED by Melon 22

Matthew Bate (16 kicks, 10 handballs, 9 marks, 3 goals) - started slowly but continually worked hard and was influential with his run and strength. When Casey was struggling in the third, he did put his body on the line a couple of times in defence with some great team acts. Did what was expected for an AFL calibre player at this level.

Sam Blease (21 kicks, 7 handballs, 3 marks) - definitely his best game at senior VFL level so far. He repeatedly blitzed his opponents with pace and went on some dizzying runs. Still struggling with decision-making and disposal at the end of his runs but his progress is very pleasing and is getting better every week. Needs to work on his concentration in defence if he is to play in the backline in the AFL this year. He tends to be too loose at times on his opponents when playing back pocket but very pleasing progress overall.

Lucas Cook (12 kicks, 6 handballs, 3 marks, 1 goal) - seemed to enjoy playing back on his home turf, presented very well and showed immense class and composure. Had a couple of really nice moments in the second quarter when he set up back to back goals for Casey with strong work in the forward line. Very impressive performance and looks to be on the right track.

Michael Evans (15 kicks, 12 handballs, 4 marks, 1 goal) - a solid contributor who had some really nice moments and showed some really good evasive skills in tight. Seems to have a good eye for goal and is always willing to back himself with his run.

Max Gawn (6 kicks, 12 handballs, 6 marks) - his ability to tap to advantage was one of the main contributors to a run on in the second quarter when Casey blew the game open. It must be said that North Ballarat's backup ruckman was very young and undersized and Gawn was able to take full advantage. He took a few marks around the ground and got his hands on many more and if he starts taking more than he drops he will become a dominant player. Good signs.

Jeremy Howe (10 kicks, 4 handballs, 5 marks) - very impressed with his game. Didn't have a great impact but worked hard and was able to make a contest across the half forward line. He has a little X factor and is always willing to fly for a mark.

Neville Jetta (11 kicks, 17 handballs, 6 marks, 1 goal) - competed hard and put great pressure on early before copping a knock. Came back on later was a solid contributor all day.

Kelvin Lawrence (7 kicks, 7 handballs, 2 marks, 1 goal) - could have bagged a few goals had he kicked straight in the last quarter. This kid has plenty skill and he has that special ability to make something out of nothing. He had flashes of brilliance but still managed to run down a few opponents and lay defensive pressure on. Very exciting signs.

Joel Macdonald (7 kicks, 17 handballs, 6 marks) - really set the tone early for Casey with his tackling and ferocious attack on the contest. At half time, I thought he was Casey's best by setting up a couple of Casey goals with his defensive pressure and his bullocking work in the middle. Only negative was a couple of bad turnovers by foot going into attack which spoiled an almost faultless performance.

Thomas McDonald (6 kicks, 5 handballs, 7 marks) - a quieter game for Tom who struggled to find a good matchup against a small Nth Ballarat forward line. Switched forward in the second half and took a couple of really nice marks.

Daniel Nicholson (13 kicks, 20 handballs, 5 marks, 1 goal) - was Casey's best. Given the tagging job on Myles Sewell, he was not only able to blanket his opponent but made a huge impact going the other way. He has played mostly across half back so far but played in the middle with a tagging job in which he excelled. He has an underrated toughness to go along with his brilliant speed and he was able to breakout from the contest a few times with a lot of run and carry.

Ricky Petterd (12 kicks, 14 handballs, 5 marks, 4 goals) - started forward and dominated his opponents early, taking plenty of contested marks and finishing well. Was sent into the midfield where he was effective without being a standout. A good performance.

Jake Spencer (4 kicks, 13 handballs, 1 mark) - did very well in the ruck against the VFL's best ruckman over the last three years in Orren Stephenson and consistently gave Casey first use of the ball. Was very competitive around the ground without being dominant. A solid game.

James Strauss (14 kicks, 12 handballs, 4 marks) - composed and clean is the best way to describe his performance today. He didn't fumble, always made the right decision and was strong in the contest. Has really improved the defensive side of his game and is now looking the part of a high draft pick. The next step for him is to go to the next level and start proving himself in the AFL.

Warnock, Matthew (11 kicks, 9 handballs, 7 marks) - the leader for Casey in the back half, winning virtually every one on one contest. He was strong, composed and gave good run from defence in a very solid game which is what we would expect from an AFL calibre defender. He is a very consistent performer at this level.

Casey Scorpions 4.3.27 10.7.67 16.9.105 16.16.112

North Ballarat 0.2.2 2.4.16 7.7.49 8.8.56

Goals

Casey Scorpions Petterd 4 Bate 3 Lindsay 2 Cook Evans Jetta Lawrence McShane Nicholson Stockdale

North Ballarat Walker 2 Evans George Jones Linke McKenzie Nicholls

Best

Casey Scorpions Nicholson Bate Warnock Cook Blease Petterd

North Ballarat George Pratt Delaney McKenzie Tate Sharkey

The reserves led from start to finish against a lacklustre North Ballarat team to break the ice or 2011. It was a really even team performance with Dave Collins and Mark Weeks again the best and Blake Carew and Aaron Purves snaffling four goals each.

Casey Scorpions6.2.38 14.4.88 15.4.94 18.6.114

North Ballarat 2.2.14 2.4.16 4.4.28 8.7.55

Goals

Casey Scorpions Carew Purves 4 Hill 2 Clay Cleven Costigan Harrison Lees Petropoulos Pollard Tynan

North Ballarat Lenehan 2 Curnow Dobson Giampaolo Hughes Kelly Towers

Best

Casey Scorpions Collins Weekes Baumgartner Purves Carew Lees

North Ballarat Darmody Brayshaw Giampaolo Kelly Jewell Hughes

Thanks for the effort

It's interesting to get a report on the players who represent the team's depth