WIND IN THE SAILS by KC from Casey

As patrons entered Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday they were greeted by a howling and inhospitable north wind that swirled across the ground ending in one of its forward pockets. In the background, the bay was foaming with white caps and the chill of the day heralded the first game of true winter. All of the signs that a dour defensive contest between Sandringham and the Casey Scorpions was about to unfold were present and that is precisely what happened that afternoon.

Two and a half hours later, only a couple of points separated the sides before a Matthew Bate goal sealed the deal for the visitors. Bate was to have one further shot at goal but that one missed before Casey ran out the winner by 10 points in a low scoring game which was a danger game for the Scorpions coming off last week’s defeat against Williamstown at Werribee. The Zebras scored a big victory the following day at the same venue against the Werribee Tigers and they had five players available who played in last year's AFL grand final as well as a good number of other St. Kilda listed players. Casey still had its share of Demons in the side but the numbers available have been constantly dwindling due to some well documented injury problems at the club.

The injuries have not only hit the AFL part of the alignment. Casey star Kyle Matthews who is still co-captain with James Wall has yet to return after his injury stricken season in 2010. He was hampered early on with a hamstring injury and lately has been recovering from a leg problem and remains one to two weeks away from a return. Matt Fieldsend was also out this week with a groin injury but should be back next week while last year’s top recruit Danny Nicholls (leg) is not due to play again until Round 14.

Casey did get one major bonus inclusion in the form of Hawthorn premiership ruckman Robert Campbell who is now on Melbourne’s rookie list. Against a formidable line up of talls from Sandringham, Campbell excelled in the ruck and showed good form for one whose season so far has been severely hampered by an Achilles injury. He was assisted by Tom McDonald who was very composed in the ruck and around the ground.

Sandringham was made to struggle early when it had first use of the wind. Co-skipper Wall showed great leadership around the flanks and wings constantly running the ball out of defence and he was aided and abetted by solid performers in Matthew Warnock, Tim Mohr and Evan Panozza. Warnock, who was originally a product of the Sandringham club, truly relished his return to his old territory and collected 27 possessions whilst playing deep in defence. Speedster Sam Blease was also effective in moving play across the lines and, when the Zebras looked like getting away from the Scorpions, Tom McDonald chimed in with a handy goal against the wind aided by a 50 metre penalty.

Casey set about the task of eliminating Sandy's 15-point quarter time lead but found the going tough in the swirly conditions. Gradually, goals to Ricky Petterd, Bate and Blease enabled the Scorps to grab a narrow half time lead.

The Casey defence held firm again in the third quarter and, for the first time in the game, we witnessed some bright open play with Bate kicking his second goal. He was also involved in Brendon Fevola's only goal for the windswept game through a handball to the front of goal. The Scorpions had their opportunities to take the lead and scores remained close until very late in the term when a defensive mix up put the Zebras eight points in front as the siren sounded with thirty minutes left to play.

It was Bate again who proved the difference in the final term. His third goal for the match levelled the scores eight minutes into the term and Ricky Petterd added his second to give his side a seven point lead. Then followed a good period for the Zebras as they refused to capitulate in the face of the strong wind. They clawed their way back into the game and things were tense until Bate put the wind in his team’s sails by drilling his fourth. He was the game’s leading goal kicker and stood out on a day that was not made for forwards.

However, it was certainly a day for the redheads and his team mate, Blease continued to be in everything to finish with 28 possessions, one less than Wall who was the standout player along with the Demon duo.

Rian McGough and Bill Petropoulos (up from the reserves) were both busy and added some bite to the team throughout the game underlying the club’s depth.

The Scorpions have retaken fourth position on the VFL ladder, behind the big three in Port Melbourne, Williamstown and the Northern Bullants and they now prepare to meet Collingwood VFL at home on Saturday as a prelude to the Queens Birthday Blockbuster between Melbourne and Collingwood two days later. A big crowd is expected notwithstanding that the contest is the ABC’s VFL telecast game.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Thanks again to Melon 22 for these snaps of the twelve Demons who took part in the game. It's worth noting that a month ago Casey fielded 14 Melbourne players in its senior team and another six in the reserves. The make up of the current team is very different to that time and it must be a tough gig coaching a side whose personnel changes so rapidly from week to week.

Matthew Bate (9 kicks, 7 handballs, 7 marks, 4 goals) - was the only key forward from either team to have a big impact on the game in a tough day for tall forwards. Kicked a sensational goal from 50m on the boundary to seal the game for Casey in the last quarter in an overall really good performance.

Matthew Bate (9 kicks, 7 handballs, 7 marks, 4 goals) -

Sam Blease (22 kicks, 6 handballs, 1 mark, 1 goal) - is showing massive improvement each week and this was his most complete game so far. He has lifted his intensity at the moment which is a good step for him and is allowing the Casey coaching staff to trust him in a few more roles. Still needs to tidy of a few defensive issues in his game but his rapid development in the last month sees him very close to making his AFL debut.

Robert Campbell (2 kicks, 9 handballs, 1 mark) – one of the highlights of the game was to see him play for Casey, get through the game and have a big impact. Rucked against Koschitzke and Archer and got the best of them; he has a big body and he is very good at using it in the ruck and around the clearances.

Lucas Cook (7 kicks, 6 handballs, 4 marks) - one of his better games of the year; made some superb goal assists and was one of the few on the ground to hit his targets inside 50. Lucas probably would like to start kicking a few more goals to add to his game but this was a very pleasing performance.

Troy Davis (9 kicks, 10 handballs, 6 marks) - has already made a big impact in two senior VFL games and looks very comfortable at this level. Was good defensively one on one and was also able to give good run out of defence as well, I would think he has cemented his spot in the senior Casey team in only two games and I can’t see him being put back into the reserves this year barring injury.

Lynden Dunn (9 kicks, 3 handballs, 1 mark) – had an inside mid role in which he did well in the clearances but he would probably have liked to get more involved with the play around the ground.

Cameron Johnston (7 kicks, 3 handballs, 3 marks) - worked hard and did a good job defensively in the back pocket. Cam is a player who always puts 100% in at the contest.

Addam Maric (8 kicks, 8 handballs, 1 mark) - played mainly forward and while he got a bit of the ball he struggled to have an impact on the game. Needs to work harder to get involved in the game and improve his second efforts if he is to get back into the AFL.

Thomas McDonald (6 kicks, 12 handballs, 4 marks) - continues to impress and is becoming very consistent, he is always putting in good effort. He is being asked to play a variety of roles at the moment and it is to his credit that he is able to have an impact wherever he is playing. The coaches must be delighted with his progress and the kid deserves to make his debut at some time this year.

Tom McNamara (9 kicks, 2 handballs) - has been pushed into the midfield due to other midfielders going up to fill vacancies at Melbourne (and the feeling that he might not be tall enough for a key defender’s position). While his effort is high he is not having sufficient impact in the middle and is probably more suited to the backline where he seems more comfortable

Ricky Petterd (13 kicks, 13 handballs, 7 marks, 2 goals) -played on a wing and while he made a few errors in the game he responded exactly the way player out of form should by working hard. His second efforts and attack on the ball were fantastic and general attitude was great. His disposal was a bit wasteful at times and he wasn’t clean below his knees but he got better as the game wore on and that was due mainly to his work rate.

Matthew Warnock (9 kicks, 18 handballs, 8 marks) - another good game at this level from Matty. He is a real leader of the Casey backline and he always puts in a 100% effort.

Casey Scorpions 1.4.10 4.6.30 6.7.43 9.15.69

Sandringham 4.1.25 4.4.28 7.9.51 8.11.59

Goals

Casey Scorpions Bate 4 Petterd 2 Blease Fevola McDonald

Sandringham Lourey 3 Irving 2 Ferraro Gamble Johnson

Best

Casey Scorpions Wall Blease Bate Petterd McGough Warnock

Sandringham Clarke Irving Smith McQualter Walsh Lourey

The Casey Reserves got up by 26 points after being well down at half time. A slashing third quarter saw them take the lead at the last break and they coasted home with a six goal final quarter. Stef Baumgartner was his team’s best.

Casey Scorpions 0.2.2 5.4.34 9.8.62 15.10.100

Sandringham 5.4.34 7.9.51 8.11.59 10.14.74

Goals

Casey Scorpions Hill 4 Pollard Riseley Waite 3 Carew McShane

Sandringham Michaliades 4 Crocker Jones 2 Cahill Jetta

Best

Casey Scorpions Baumgartner McShane Pollard Riseley Bolton Allen

Sandringham Michaliades Ferguson Wade Andrews Smith-Cameron Crocker

Thanks KC did not go this week I was looking forward to your thoughts.

I Fev really playing for us?

Didn't hear much about that.

Booze free footy!

Updated with Melon22's player by player review in HOW THE DEMONS FARED.

I wonder if playing alongside Scully at Casey has had any impact on Blease's performance and confidence.

I was excited by the prospect of Scully returning via the VFL, as I suspected it would have.

I think we may get to see Blease run out on the G very soon.

WALL is in the best for casey just about every week, is there any reason why he isnt playing AFL?

I am in WA so wouldnt have a clue what he actually plays like.

Thanks

Bad news out of Casey tonight about inspirational club skipper Kyle Matthews who has had further scans on his injured leg. The injury was incurred a few weeks ago and it was thought he would be back in one or two weeks. Initial scans showed all clear but the latest scans have confirmed that he has a fractured fibula and will miss up to 8 weeks (subject to getting his specialist's opinion.

Hopefully Kyle will make a speedy recovery and we will still see him in action for the Scorpions.

And some different views from the game:-

(i) from the official VFL site:-

Casey win close one and

(ii) from the Football Nation site:-

Comeback ruckman on way back for Dees

Round 10 Casey player review

(ii) from the Football Nation site:-

Comeback ruckman on way back for Dees

Robert Campbell could turn out to be a handy acqusition before the season's out.

I believe the club can now elevate another rookie as there's a free rookie elevation available to all clubs after Round 11.

Sam Blease: Sam Blease had 28 touches. He had a ripper game, and I think he had seven or eight tackles as well. So, he had a real breakout game, as far as putting everything together, playing back, playing mid, playing wing, kicked a goal - he’d have been rapt. And, on that ground, you wouldn’t have expected it from him - a tight ground with not much space, but with his leg speed he took them on and was able to break them open a little bit, especially going into the breeze. His run was so important.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/115724/default.aspx

I can't wait for this guy to become a regular AFL player.

Bad news out of Casey tonight about inspirational club skipper Kyle Matthews who has had further scans on his injured leg. The injury was incurred a few weeks ago and it was thought he would be back in one or two weeks. Initial scans showed all clear but the latest scans have confirmed that he has a fractured fibula and will miss up to 8 weeks (subject to getting his specialist's opinion.

Hopefully Kyle will make a speedy recovery and we will still see him in action for the Scorpions.

Definitely. Tough break for Kyle.

Bad news out of Casey tonight about inspirational club skipper Kyle Matthews who has had further scans on his injured leg. The injury was incurred a few weeks ago and it was thought he would be back in one or two weeks. Initial scans showed all clear but the latest scans have confirmed that he has a fractured fibula and will miss up to 8 weeks (subject to getting his specialist's opinion.

Hopefully Kyle will make a speedy recovery and we will still see him in action for the Scorpions.

This may just be a blessing in disguise for young Kyle.

It gives him more time to train and repair, without getting banged up too soon.

Hope all goes well Kyle, with your rehab.