STRIKING GOLD

[Demonland 70,326]

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

[Demonland 70,326]

And another view from Jordie Tackles ...

Casey came in as solid underdogs against the triple premiership North Ballarat side, who also was beaten in the "Austar/Foxtel Cup" v East Perth two weeks ago only due to conceding the final two goals.

1st QUARTER

It was a great opening term from the Casey team. Highlights:

• Dan Nicholson scoring the first goal and getting involved in the game;

• Joel Macdonald started with a clanger but then dominated off the half back and also had time through the middle. Joel looked far to good for the VFL today in my opinion but can he be as good with the step up?

• Ricky Bobby Petterd, this was HIS quarter kicking Casey's next goal, and missing another easy one, which is a shame after a nice contested mark;

• the big Spencil started to show his worth. He has become a lump of a lad to say the least, winning in the ruck and tapping a nice ball over his shoulder resulting in a teammate finishing with a beautiful snap goal Casey's fourth for the quarter;

• late in the quarter Bate found the pill after being quiet in my opinion. Freed for a push in the back and finished it well.

Casey led at the break by 4.3.27 to 0.2.2

2nd QUARTER

• started with North showing a bit of their premiership form booting two quick unanswered goals bringing the score back to 27-14, after not being in it during the first;

• after trying and not spotting Blease during the first quarter, I was happy to see him get his hands on the pill, burst away for 15m kick it LONG inside 50, which resulted in a Casey goal;

• Joel Macdonald continued to show his experience getting the ball at will.....and using well enough, also putting his body on the line;

• LOVED THIS, Max Gawn getting involved and he is a HUGE kid as we all know, chased a tap and cleaned up a North midfielder giving away a free. North player was sore.... I had to stop myself from yelling out "HE'S GAWN" sitting amongst many roosters fans;

• couldnt help but notice Blease again, When he gets the ball isn't afraid to take a run, and will play the ball long;

• started to notice both Spencer and Gawn winning a lot in the ruck, working over the Victorian State rep Orren Stephenson;

• can't tell you who kicked all the goals, Petterd and Bate getting involved though, Casey running away after North's early dominance, booting the last 4 goals of the quarter;

Half Time: Casey up by 10.7.67 to 2.4.16

3rd QUARTER

• ENTER Lucas Cook, the home town boy decided to say hello. Cook was involved in both of Caseys opening goals this quarter and also got at least 5 possessions within the first 5 minutes, all around the 50 meter arc, step up some nice I50. Also noted he seemed calm under pressure;

• Spencer, liking the guy but must have dropped 2-3 marks which you thought he had so far. If he can hold them, he could be a lot better;

• Bate getting involved around the forward 50 also Jeremy Howe gets it but can't finish off his opportunities, could have scored couple if accurate. Also plays and looks a lot like Petterd, and plays that way as well;

• Cook really getting involved with another I50;

• ENTER North Ballarat, got right right on top during the middle of the 3rd, kicking 3 unanswered goals, Casey couldn't get near the ball, adding at least 2 points to their shots....Casey only up by 40ish now.... were up by 60.

• started to notice Strauss at this stage, nice mark around the front of teh centre square, after playing a lot back from what I had seen, paced it out in front Casey player who was the only one who could mark it. Settling goal.

• side note of Jetta's run and carry game, I did see a lot of him but could only see half the ground, was also laying a few tackles;

Casey lead at three quarter time 16.9.105 to 7.7.49 after a late surge

4th QUARTER

• really noticed Blease working his way into the game now, can run and isn't afraid to carry it through the centre, only gets caught rarely, may rush the odd possession after taking 1 or 2 too many steps;

• Howe speccy, was nice, highlight worthy, then missed from 15-20 metres out;

• Strauss another nice weighted pass I50;

• Nicholson getting the pill, but could still afford a bit more from when I noticed him;

• Cook took a nice mark on the 50 metre line, but dropped it just short, in the square;

• Jetta tackling well: didn't see him get "heaps" of it but did notice his tackling throughout the game(

• Blease to Strauss - hope we hear that combination more throughout the future;

• Gawn can take a mark 3-4 contested ones throughout the day, is just too big, may not be ready yet but if he is fit he will be a great ruck option around the ground.

Casey Finshed them off this quarter, was an easy win, our AFL listed players all killed the roosters, didn't notice any of the kangaroos players at all, not that there were many, 5 max i think.

The comment was made that it was Melbourne reserves playing North Ballarat, 13-14 melbourne listed players playing today, was really the difference

FINAL SCORE a good Casey win 16.16.112 to 8.8.56 continuing on from where they finished last week.

BEST Melbourne players

1st Q- Petterd was impressive around goals

2nd Q – Joel Macdonald just seemed to get a lot and put his body on the line

3rd Q – Cook – 3+ I50 and close to 10 disposals set up 2-3 goals

4th Q – Bate – was around the ball quite a lot, around 50 gave the ball off a few times I thought.

BEST ON GROUND

Joel Macdonald - was strong all day, got alot of the ball and uses it well enough from the VFL, was really a 4Q effort in my opinion, others played better halves or quarters but not complete games.

I will admit that following all the players was hard, all having different numbers ect, all high numbers and not being able to look at the Big screen for a close up.

Other people have seemed to notice Jetta and Strauss a lot more than myself and thought that petterd did more... i didn't notice Petterd as much after his huge first term... I thought after playing poorly Bate was better in the final 3 terms than Petterd, he is big enough to out mark VFL players etc more than he seems to do to AFL listed ones. I also didn't notice Nicholson that much - not to say he wasn't near it.

[Roost It 1,434]

Is Cook a chance to play this year?

Great news on Nicholson, Blease and Strauss as well

Good signs with many pushing up and so few injuries.

[Whispering_Jack 29,246]

I think it's fair to say that one of the measures of good recruiting is what you can get out of your lower draft choices and your rookie selections. It's doubly important at the moment with the drafts affected by the generous concessions to the new franchise clubs.

In that regard, we seem to have done well this year with the recruitment of Tom McDonald, Michael Evans, Kelvin Lawrence and Dan Nicholson. We haven't seen much yet of Troy Davis, Cameron Johnston (although he really impressed in pre season) and poor old Robbie Campbell. I think the four I've highlighted in bold are all good chances to have long careers if their early form at the club is any indication.

[RedsoxMan 144]

I think it's fair to say that one of the measures of good recruiting is what you can get out of your lower draft choices and your rookie selections. It's doubly important at the moment with the drafts affected by the generous concessions to the new franchise clubs.

In that regard, we seem to have done well this year with the recruitment of Tom McDonald, Michael Evans, Kelvin Lawrence and Dan Nicholson. We haven't seen much yet of Troy Davis, Cameron Johnston (although he really impressed in pre season) and poor old Robbie Campbell. I think the four I've highlighted in bold are all good chances to have long careers if their early form at the club is any indication.

FYI : I saw Robbie at the Gabba with the MFC bench entourage!!

[Whispering_Jack 29,246]

Local News - VFL:Casey Scorpions' Big Scalp

[KC from Casey 7,042]

We've now loaded on the MFC players' match stats for the game and they are very impressive.

Best of the Casey players were Matt Fieldsend (18 kicks, 10 handballs, 4 marks) and James Wall (10 kicks, 13 handballs, 3 marks).

[Whispering_Jack 29,246]

CASEY coach Brad Gotch runs through the Melbourne-listed players who played for the Scorpions in round three - Round three Casey player review

My favourite is this one:

Daniel Nicholson: Daniel played his best game for us, winning 33 possessions. He played on Myles Sewell, who is a Liston Trophy winner. Daniel did a good job on Sewell, who was kept to 19 touches. Daniel also attacked well. We were really pleased with Daniel, who also kicked a goal.

[John Dee 445]

I think it's fair to say that one of the measures of good recruiting is what you can get out of your lower draft choices and your rookie selections. It's doubly important at the moment with the drafts affected by the generous concessions to the new franchise clubs.

In that regard, we seem to have done well this year with the recruitment of Tom McDonald, Michael Evans, Kelvin Lawrence and Dan Nicholson. We haven't seen much yet of Troy Davis, Cameron Johnston (although he really impressed in pre season) and poor old Robbie Campbell. I think the four I've highlighted in bold are all good chances to have long careers if their early form at the club is any indication.

Lucas Cook?

[H_T 3,032]

CASEY coach Brad Gotch runs through the Melbourne-listed players who played for the Scorpions in round three - Round three Casey player review

My favourite is this one:

That's a fair game by Nicholson.

[Whispering_Jack 29,246]

Lucas Cook?

Lucas Cook is not a low draft choice or a rookie.

He was picked at # 12 so you expect a quality player. It's the later selections that turn out top players that really set up a recruiter's reputation.

[Rogue 585]

Good to hear Nicholson playing so well.

Sam Blease: Sam played his best game for us. He had 28 possessions and played off half-back/wing. He ran the lines and did the hard stuff. He was defensively good and set-up at least half-a-dozen goals. His attack from defence and run through the lines was sensational. It was a really promising performance and one we’ve been waiting for. We know he can do it and he showed it, so he’ll get a lot of confidence from that.

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.

That's what I'm talkin' about.

NB: It certainly won't hurt Blease to learn how to lock down on an opponent, but long-term I reckon he'd be wasted in a BP.

[H_T 3,032]

That's what I'm talkin' about.

NB: It certainly won't hurt Blease to learn how to lock down on an opponent, but long-term I reckon he'd be wasted in a BP.

Thanks Crawf

I agree regarding position. Preferably wing or half back. He will need to learn to lock down on an opponent defensively.

[Whispering_Jack 29,246]

Another good write-up on the VFL site - Scorpions Take The Sting Out Of The Roosters

[H_T 3,032]

Another good write-up on the VFL site - Scorpions Take The Sting Out Of The Roosters

15 players. Can't complain about that. Many VFL sides would just love that from their affiliate.

[KC from Casey 7,042]

There could be some interesting inclusions in the Casey team next weekend:-

• Kyle Matthews,

• Michael Newton (if he doesn't go straight into the MFC team to play in Perth, and

• Brendan Fevola.

What's more, now that the 12-10 player rule has been abolished, Casey can field as many AFL-listed players as they want and are no longer restricted to 12 Demons. With Melbourne playing on Thursday next week, there's no need to hold an extra player back as an emergency (first time this year) so the team will be very strong.

The game's at home v Frankston and, although televised, it should attract a bumper crowd.