ONE QUARTER NOT ENOUGH by KC from Casey

Another poor opening quarter set the scene for the Casey Scorpions' Round 9 defeat by Williamstown at Avalon Oval, Werribee on Saturday.

The Seagulls came out of the blocks quickly and were able to score regularly thanks to productive forwards in Grant and Hahn. At the same time they denied any opportunity to score to the Scorpions who looked rusty coming off a week's break with the bye. When the siren sounded to end the first term, Casey had managed to accumulate no more than a solitary point to Willy's 4.5.29.

Brad Gotch was once again forced to bring his team to life during the quarter time break and they were eventually stirred into action kicking seven goals to three. They even held the lead temporarily a few moments before the half time break.

The catalyst for the comeback was talented young Demon Tom Scully who was one of his team's better players in the barren opening quarter. He showed his class and skill with Casey's opening goal and had a hand in others as the team whittled away at the Seagull lead. Forwards Jeremy Howe and Brendon Fevola (who kicked all of his three goals for the game in this period) were proving dangerous and Casey grabbed the lead but a late goal restored the Williamstown lead to three points at the main break.

Big ruckman Max Gawn was proving a handful for AFL hardened ruckman Ben Hudson and things were looking hopeful for the Scorpions despite some injury worries. David Collins continued to impress with some strong work in the midfield.

The game turned into a dour struggle in the third quarter and it was a real armwrestle until the Seagulls got on top late in the quarter with three quick goals. Defenders Tom McDonald and Tim Mohr had been steady throughout but, with the weight of numbers favouring Willy, Casey was suddenly staring at defeat and trailing by 17 points at orange time.

With Fevola nursing an elbow and injuries restricting rotations off the bench, Casey was in a difficult situation. The Scorpions held on temporarily before Williamstown's greater fitness kicked in and the Seagulls ran away to a well deserved and comfortable forty-point victory. For the visitors to the western suburbs, it was a case of one good quarter not being enough to provide them with a satisfactory outcome for their trouble.

Casey is away again next week with a visit to Sandringham in a game that pits two clubs that switched alignment partners two years ago. The Scorps will be hoping to throw off the injury concerns that have hit both them and the Demons in recent weeks.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Those injuries that have had a debilitating effect on Casey's senior partner in Melbourne are also squeezing the Scorpions. However, the incentive is also there for young Demons players to break into the AFL team. We thank Melon22 again for his insights into how the Dees fared this week.

Sam Blease – started down back but moved into the centre in the second quarter. This was his most mature performance so far and he showed great intensity at the ball when in the clearances. However, he marred his performance with a couple of bad turnovers in the second half. He seems much more comfortable in the midfield than playing back.

Lucas Cook – had a quiet first half but continued to present and took a couple of very nice contested marks in the second half. Cook is a very natural lead up CHF who makes good decisions with the ball. Currently playing third tall in a crowded forward line, he is still making the most of his opportunities which is pleasing.

Troy Davis - opened his first senior VFL game with a stint on the bench, coming on with the Casey defence under siege and he was able to have an immediate impact. Davis has a strong body and held his own against AFL experienced players. He managed to punch anything that came near him in the air and was able to give some run off half back as well. Faded in the second half but it was an impressive debut.

Max Gawn – this could well come to be regarded as the breakout game for Big Max. Not only did he have an impact in the clearances but he was also able to become a linkman and focal point for Casey around the ground. Some of his taps to advantage were sublime and while he didn’t completely dominate Hudson in the ruck contests, he definitely had the better of him. Where his game impressed so much was the way he moved around the ground, was able to make contest after contest and have an impact which is something he previously hasn't shown. It was also interesting to see when he was pitted against first round father/son selection Ayce Cordy he had such an impact in the tapouts that Cordy was taken straight out and pushed forward, such was Gawn’s dominance. He has a few things still to work on but he is much closer to his AFL debut after his performance.

Jeremy Howe – for the second game in a row Howe has been the dominant Casey forward and must now be considered close to his AFL debut. He is playing with great intensity at the moment and his work rate is really high. His teammates at Casey look for him as a first option because even if he is out of position or outnumbered he makes a contest which is sign of just how well he is playing and how much confidence his team mates have in him.

Cameron Johnston – made his debut at senior VFL level, had limited game time and struggled to get into the game.

Kelvin Lawrence - injured early and had no influence on the game.

Tom Mc Donald - a really good prospect. He has great hands and is surprisingly quick across the ground. Played mainly in defence but had stints forward and in the ruck and was effective in all areas. It would not surprise if he gets a game late in the year.

Tom McNamara - started in the middle but struggled to get involved and was moved back in the second half. Would be disappointed not to have made a bigger impact on the game.

Tom Scully – looked a class above in the first quarter; his lightning hands and his customary run were evident and he started to rack up the possessions early. He certainly didn’t look like someone who hadn’t played a game in three months. Kicked Casey’s first goal of the game in the second quarter which started a great spell of dominance for the Scorpions. As the game wore on he started to show signs of fatigue and was rested for the last quarter but showed what a classy player he is and how much the Dees need him in their side at the moment.

James Strauss – started poorly as the Casey defense couldn’t get the ball out of the press and he was bit too loose on his opponents . He really stepped up in intensity from quarter time on and was able to play one on one defensive footy effectively while generating great drive out of defence. His kicking was brilliant for most of the day and, with Melbourne lacking quality ball users in the back half at the moment, his skills are just what are needed.

Austin Wonaemirri - flashed in and out of the game and had moments of brilliance tempered with a few too many errors. Although he is putting in the effort, it’s just not all coming together for him at the moment.

Casey Scorpions 0.1.1 7.4.46 9.7.61 10.8.68

Williamstown 4.5.29 7.7.49 11.1278 15.18.108

Goals

Casey Scorpions Fevola 3 Howe 2 Blease Collins Cook Scully Stockdale

Williamstown Grant 4 Hooper 3 Cordy Jolley 2 Barlow Dahlhaus Hahn Stack

Best

Casey Scorpions Gawn Howe Collins Mohr Davis Scully

Williamstown Mulligan Johnson Stack Jolley Barlow Djerrkura

The Casey reserves proved no match for a strong Williamstown combination but managed to keep in touch until half time thanks to some extraordinary accuracy in front of the goals.

Ben Waite's seven goals would have him in line for a senior promotion next week, particularly with an injury cloud over Fevola.

Michael Risely also did his prospects no harm.

Casey Scorpions 4.0.24 8.1.49 9.4.58 13.5.83

Williamstown 5.6.36 10.9.69 19.11.125 23.13.151

Goals

Casey Scorpions Waite 7 Hill Petropoulos 2 Bell Purves

Williamstown Gray 4 Conway Cravino Kefford 3 Johannisen Morris Purton-Smith 2 Caruso Carr Fogarty Panos

Best

Casey Scorpions Waite Riseley Hill Bolton Weekes Salton

Williamstown Carr Caruso Cravino Conway Rampe Grossman

Highlights here

Strauss kick looks like a 3 iron.

Max Gawn looks big and has good hands (not sure about the kicking backwards)

Scully is Scully

Howe impressive grabs/skills

Blease has some speed