WIND IN THE SAILS

[Demonland 73,140]

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 game 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.

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