A SUNNY DAY IN CRANBOURNE by KC from Casey

The weather was perfect last Saturday for what might well become known as the day of the comeback at Casey Fields.

The sun shone brightly for the large crowd that came to watch former AFL star Brendan Fevola make his long awaited return to senior football for what he hopes to be a springboard to a return to the elite in 2012 while, earlier in the day some notable Casey names in Kyle Matthews and Evan Panozza marked their returns to the game from injury layoffs in more muted fashion and before far fewer eyes in the reserves team.

There were other careers on line for a comeback as well with several of Casey's AFL listed players seeking to impress the Demons in the hope of forcing their way into their team after that shocker in the West a couple of days earlier.

The big winner for the day was the Casey Scorpions Football Club which celebrated its tradition by wearing the Springvale guernsey and won both games, romping home to win the senior game by 21.8.134 to Frankston's 8.10.58 and taking third place on the ladder.

A number of players had big games, in particular the bookends at either end of the ground, Matthew Bate up forward and Matthew Warnock at full back. Both players have been out of favour with the Melbourne selectors but were superb for the Scorpions against the Dolphins. Bate kicked six goals but also roamed far and wide to set up goals while Warnock was fantastic stopping them.

Small forward Addam Maric booted a couple of goals and was a constant danger for the Dolphin defence and Neville Jetta worked hard all day trying to make things happen in the young midfield which included two impressive rookies in Michael Evans and Dan Nicholson.

Ricky Petterd threw a scare into fans during the first term when he came off the ground clutching a knee. He came back as well to pit on a lively performance and is also pressing for AFL selection. Kelvin Lawrence was on target with the three goals.

Casey listed players Michael Stockdale, in just his fourth game on the comeback trail after a serious knee injury and Dave Collins, who has worked hard on his return to the club, were important contributors to the team effort. Co-captain James Wall was in everything and then there was Brendan Fevola who had to overcome some difficult times to get to where he was on Saturday.

In the Fev's case, several kilograms of weight were lost in a short space of time and there's a lot of hard work to come but, after a tentative start to the game, he was in his element by the final quarter and the promise is there of many more goals than the solitary one he scored in this game.

Casey started slowly against the Dolphins who might sit on the bottom of the ladder but lack nothing in the way of enthusiasm. By quarter time, the home side held a lead of 19 points which was extended to 32 points by the half. Superior fitness from a team that contained 16 AFL players ensured that the Casey lead would continue to stretch out but coach Brad Gotch was not entirely happy with the way his charges played out the game.

With matches coming up against the highly rated Northern Bullants and the Bendigo Bombers who are sure to exert full pressure for four quarters rather than in short bursts, his team will need to be at the top of its game.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Matthew Bate (15 kicks, 10 handballs, 11 marks, 2 tackles, 6 goals) - has been threatening for a few weeks now and returned to top form with six goals and a number of assists. Ran hard all over the ground and marked strongly in a best on ground performance.

Sam Blease (8 kicks, 1 handball, 0 marks, 1 tackle) - hard to assess his game because he took a knock in the first quarter, apparently "hit the wall" later in the game and spent some time being observed in hospital after the game. Endowed with loads of pace, Blease did make some disposal errors and his decision making was slack at times. Can do much better but you can't judge him in these circumstances.

Lucas Cook (9 kicks, 3 handballs, 7 marks, 6 tackles, 1 goal) - flashed in and out of the play and kicked one nice goal. Developing both physically and in his football know how from week to week but he still has a way to go.

Michael Evans (14 kicks, 12 handballs, 6 marks, 3 tackles, 2 goals) -outstanding in the midfield again this week. Shows a lot of pace and skill and has really impressed in the short time he has been at the club.

Max Gawn (2 kicks, 3 handballs, 1 mark, 2 tackles) - showed good pace for a big man. His tap work was solid and will only get better.

Jeremy Howe(11 kicks, 3 handballs, 8 marks, 3 tackles, 1 goal) - the first time he has really come under notice. His second quarter was really outstanding and he had the ball on a string for a while. Kicks with either foot and marks strongly with the tendency to take a hanger.

Neville Jetta (10 kicks, 14 handballs, 7 marks, 3 tackles) - continues to impress at this level. Set up a number of goals with his clever footwork and had a good day in the middle of the ground.

Kelvin Lawrence(4 kicks, 6 handballs, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 3 goals) - is getting more attunded to playing in Victoria and had his moments in this game. Finished the game off well with three goals.

Joel Macdonald (14 kicks, 11 handballs, 5 marks, 1 tackle) - showed his football smarts, accumulating possessions and setting up play. An experienced campaigner, he showed he still has a lot to give to the Demons.

Tom McDonald (12 kicks, 7 handballs, 4 marks, 2 tackles) - superimpressive player who is coming on in leaps and bounds. Marks well, kicks long and looks to have the confidence to make the grade.

Addam Maric (20 kicks, 6 handballs, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 2 goals, 1 behind) - did all the smart things that he has been promising to do for a long time. Now need to take the next step up when he gets an opportunity at AFL level.

Michael Newton (10 kicks, 3 handballs, 7 marks, 4 tackles, 2 goals, 1 behind) - has really applied himself to playing the game as a forward with licence to move a bit downfield, a situation that became necessary with both Bate and Fevola working near the goals. Tackles strongly and deserves a chance at the big time again.

Dan Nicholson (10 kicks, 10 handballs, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 1 goals) - was outstanding with his run in the first quarter during which he kicked a goal. Was still effective thereafter but not as dangerous as he was early. A definite midfield prospect with an abundance of pace and good skills.

Ricky Petterd (14 kicks, 4 handballs, 10 marks, 6 tackles) - a classy performer whose delivery sometimes lets him down. Another who put his hand up for selection in the Melbourne team.

Jake Spencer (3 kicks, 10 handballs, 6 marks, 3 tackles, 1 behind) - big, strong and bulky, Spencer's ungainly appearance masks his rapid improvement as a ruckman although his kicking, whilst improving, still needs to get better.

Matthew Warnock (11 kicks, 11 handballs, 6 marks, 2 tackles) - another strong performance from the experienced defender who must be close to AFL selection.

Casey Scorpions 6.2.38 10.5.65 14.6.90 21.8.134

Frankston 3.1.19 5.3.33 6.6.42 8.10.58

Goals

Casey Scorpions Bate 6 Lawrence 3 Evans Maric Newton 2 Cook Fevola Nicholson Gent Howe Stockdale

Frankston Clark 4 McCallum 2 Douglas Miller

Best

Casey Scorpions Bate Maric Jetta Stockdale Evans Collins

Frankston Thoolen Potts Baguley Clements Clark Doria

The Scorpion reserves relished the opportunity to finally play on their home turf and had no trouble in disposing of the lowly Dolphins who are really struggling at the moment.

Jack Fitzpatrick was the star of the day with six goals up forward and Bill Petropoulos was lively throughout the game which marked the welcome return of club skipper Kyle Matthews who kicked two goals and defender Evan Panozza.

Casey Scorpions 5.7.37 12.11.83 17.16.118 30.19.199

Frankston 1.1.7 1.3.9 3.5.23 5.6.36

Goals

Casey Scorpions Fitzpatrick 6 Dowse 4 Allen 4 Baumgartner 3 Matthews Tynan Weekes 2 Bell Clay Lindsay McNamara Patti Petropoulos Riseley

Frankston Haretuku 2 Appleford Cole Uzarevic

Best

Casey Scorpions Fitzpatrick Petropoulos Allen Pollard Tynan Baumgartner

Frankston Cole Uzarevic Rowe Appleford Ongarello Mitchem

good to see tony ongarello is still getting a game in the frankston twos

Watched it on tv and was mightily impressed with the form of the two rookies in the midfield, Evans and Nicholson. Both have a good turn of speed and make some good decisions when they have the ball. Really good prospects.

Agree the two rookies were the real interest.

Bate was ok, the return flatters him a bit, but perhaps that's just watching it from tv. He still lacks hunger for the second and third effort IMO E.g. Player slips his tackle but is only metres away and he just stays on the ground watching. Happened twice that i can remember and frankly our stats for mfc already tell us we don't have enough FWD defensive pressure, anyway good to see him improving.

Surely Petterd gets a run before he does though?

Ps - cheers for the write up.

Thanks for the report!

Good to see guys like Warnock and Newton playing well, but I'm pretty interested in Evans and Nicholson; anyone else want to share their views on those two?

ROUND 5 CASEY PLAYER REPORT

Given that Fitzpatrick played well in the reserves, and Campbell is due back soon from injury, it will be interesting to see how Casey manages the balance of Newton, Bate, Fevola, Mcdonald, Cook, Howe, Spencer, Gawn, Campbell, Fitzpatrick, Warnock. Unfortunately someone like Gawn / Howe / Cook / Mcdonald will have to play Casey reserves with so many talls

ROUND 5 CASEY PLAYER REPORT

And I've added the individual player stats to the HOW THE DEMONS FARED reports.

If anyone's interested:

Brendan Fevola 7 kicks 1 handball 5 marks 2 tackles 1 goal 3 behinds

Did Troy Davis play? No mention of him.

Did Troy Davis play? No mention of him.

Casey reserves, 1/2 game.

Given that Fitzpatrick played well in the reserves, and Campbell is due back soon from injury, it will be interesting to see how Casey manages the balance of Newton, Bate, Fevola, Mcdonald, Cook, Howe, Spencer, Gawn, Campbell, Fitzpatrick, Warnock. Unfortunately someone like Gawn / Howe / Cook / Mcdonald will have to play Casey reserves with so many talls

which again highlights the ridiculous mind numbing decision to recruit Fev. Cook and Howe were playing half back last week for goodness sake.

Reading the player review from Casey's Coach it's clear that this has had an impact on us, and one that I think is negative.

Newton had kicked 11 goals in two weeks and yet was forced to play further up the ground, while Gawn only got 50% game time.