CASEY REDISCOVERS WINNING FORM by KC from Casey

The Casey Scorpions returned to the winner's list after overrunning an undermanned but persistent Box Hill Hawks on a wet and windy Sunday afternoon at Casey Fields.

The Scorpions scored the only two goals of the opening quarter through Matthew Bate whose poise and ball handling belied the slippery conditions and then maintained control of the game throughout the day.

Spectators were bemused by the use of Box Hill's predominantly white "clash" strip which appeared to be closer to the Casey colours than their usual brown and gold home guernsey.

This did not deter the Scorpions. Even when the weather eased for a brief while in the second quarter, Casey defended well and just shaded the visitors in scoring against the wind thanks to a Lynden Dunn goal.

The Hillmen threatened with a desperate third quarter but were unable to put the score on the board and Casey responded with a great final quarter booting five goals in the rain to run out 43 point winners.

The win, combined with results of other games put the Scorpions back in the race for a top four placing.

Demon rookie Tom McNamara revelled in the conditions and had a fantastic game in the wet and the wind finishing with 31 disposals. Bate maintained his good touch throughout while young Luke Tapscott showed great strength and toughness in the heavy going. Both players claimed 22 possessions for the game.

The individual bright spot of the match was the outstanding performance in ruck from Max Gawn who not only won the hit outs to give his team the advantage at the stoppages, but he also displayed great agility for a big man in the prevailing conditions. One of his highlights came when he marked unattended at centre half forward and delivered a perfect pass to Lucas Cook who goaled with his kick.

The back line led by Tim Mohr and Matthew Warnock kept Box Hill scoreless in the opening term and was miserly all day. Michael Stockdale mopped up well in a defence that held firm under pressure, particularly when Box Hill threatened in the third term.

Forwards rarely stand out in difficult, greasy conditions as they were on this appallingly wet Sunday but kudos must go to the hardworking Rian McGough who snagged two goals and to Brendon Fevola who adapted well and played a good support role for the forward in the team. He finished with only one goal from a great snap into the teeth of the wind but was instrumental in setting up a few others and ensuring the cohesion of the forward line on a day that was definitely made for defenders.

The game also gave youngster Tom Corry the opportunity for his senior debut after impressing with the reserves.

The Scorpions travel to meet VFL neighbour Frankston next Sunday and will be looking to build on the gains of their first win in the last month to further their prospects of advancing up the VFL ladder.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Casey was fortunate enough to be permitted to play the two MFC players involved as substitutes against the Bulldogs and this gave the Scorps 14 AFL listed players. Melon 22 sums up how each of them went in the tough conditions.

Clint Bartram – did well in the midfield and when in the back line. Competed very well and managed to be reasonably efficient given the conditions.

Matthew Bate - played very really well and was one of the few players on the day who was able to handle the conditions cleanly. Kicked the first two goals of the game and provided good effort for the whole four quarters.

Jamie Bennell – even though the conditions didn’t suit his style of play he managed to really get involved and played with high intensity. He laid a lot of tackles and was good in the clinches.

Sam Blease – struggled to get into the game in conditions that really didn't suit him. However, he did try to give some run and had a good third quarter.

Lucas Cook – although conditions were not made for marking forwards and he was quiet on the day, he was always presenting and his work rate was high. Kicked a goal and was involved in one or two others.

Troy Davis – always willing to put his body on the line and did well defensively without doing much offensively. However, the entire Casey backline would be happy with their performance in shutting down their forwards.

Lynden Dunn – didn’t get a lot of the ball but made the most of his opportunities. The poor conditions suit intelligent footballers who know how to play to the conditions and Dunn did really well playing as a deep forward.

Michael Evans - busy all day and one of the few players from either side to show a bit of dash and give some run. Was able to cap of his performance with a goal in a good performance.

Max Gawn – dominant in the ruck and gave forward momentum to his team all day which was important in the conditions. Early on he was of the very few players who didn’t fumble and he seemed to be at ease in the conditions which was great for such a big man. A very pleasing display overall.

Addam Maric – managed to show his class a few times with some amazing skill in the conditions.

Tom McNamara – probably his best game for Casey. The conditions rewarded players who attacked the game and Tom threw himself at the contest at every opportunity. While some of his play wasn’t the prettiest it was super important for his team and he gave Casey forward momentum all day.

Tom McDonald – competed hard and restricted his opponents while playing back on a day that wasn't made for the talls.

Luke Tapscott - a typical Tapscott game; he was uncompromising at the contest while almost killing a couple of his opponents who tried to get in his way. A very good display overall and was rested for most of the last quarter.

Matthew Warnock – a typical game from Matty, dominated the last line of defense for Casey and was instrumental in limiting Box Hill to just 3 goals.

Casey Scorpions 2.2.14 3.4.22 5.7.37 10.10.70

Box Hill Hawks 0.0.0 1.1.7 2.6.18 3.9.27

Goals

Casey Scorpions Bate McGough 2 Cook Dunn Evans Fevola Petropoulos Wall

Box Hill Hawks Hoegel Monkhorst Pattison

Best

Casey Scorpions McNamara Gawn Bate Mohr Tapscott Fevola

Box Hill Hawks Ladson Pattison Duryea Gibson Jackson Mirra

The Casey Scorpions underlined their improvement when they shocked ladder leader Box Hill keeping them down to just one goal (scored in the final quarter) in wet and woolly conditions in the curtain raiser at Casey Fields.

Casey has now beaten three of the competition's top four teams in its last three matches and will grab fourth spot if it beats lowly Frankston next week.

Ruckman Robert Campbell dominated the rucks against his former team and pressed his claims for a return to the senior team. Youngster Aiden Lindsay and Evan Panozza also pressed their claims.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Three MFC rookie listed players took part in the game with Campbell the standout.

Robert Campbell - far too strong for the Box Hill big men which is what you would expect from an AFL premiership ruckman - even one attempting to re-establish himself after a long run of injuries.

Cameron Johnston - picked up 26 touches in a good performance.

Kelvin Lawrence - found the going tough.

Casey Scorpions 0.1.1 3.2.20 5.6.36 7.11. 53

Box Hill Hawks 0.2.2 0.5.5 0.5.5 1.7.13

Goals

Casey Scorpions

Purves Lindsay Bell Patti Lees Clay Campbell

Box Hill Hawks

Johns

Best

Casey Scorpions

Campbell Lindsay Panozza Bell Lees Baumgartner

Box Hill Hawks

Murphy Kennedy Purcell Van Unen Johns Phelps

Thanks KC I am surprised you are still with us.

Thought you might have been frozen to the spot yesterday.

Any chance the selectors can fix Max Gawn into the line up for Saturday night?

Any chance the selectors can fix Max Gawn into the line up for Saturday night?

Not unless you want to leave out Martin or Jamar!

On reflection he could hardly be worse than either of them were against the Dogs

Any chance the selectors can fix Max Gawn into the line up for Saturday night?

The match is in Darwin. We have to make sure that we don't go in too tall.

BRAD GOTCH'S PLAYER REVIEW

Luke Tapscott: We played Luke more midfield this week, because he's been playing back line at senior level, but we just thought we'd build his fitness, and he's got a strong body - those conditions would suit him, and they certainly did. He had 22 possessions, and we actually pulled his game time back a little bit in the last quarter, just to make sure we didn't overcook him, in case he was needed this week in the senior team, and they travel. So that cost him a few more touches, I reckon, because he was very good.

I was at the game and FWIW I agree with Casey in his report and Brad Gotch about Max Gawn. He was great and I'm a little biased but I have rarely seen a tall bloke like him dominate and show the flexibility needed in those conditions. It might be hard to fit him in the side to play Port Adelaide but against Hawthorn the following week, I think he would be handy.

Matty Bate was also fantastic IMO.

The Melbourne selectors will have a lot to think about in team selection this week although, given that it's supposed to be the dry season up in Darwin the conditions will be much different to yesetrday at Casey.

Not unless you want to leave out Martin or Jamar!

On reflection he could hardly be worse than either of them were against the Dogs

You could play Martin as a CHF or FF leaving Jurrah on a flank and playing him as a third tall on the forward line. It might be a better strategy at the G but I believe Bailey hasn't ruled out going down that track.

What's wrong with doing something different at this stage of the year?

You could play Martin as a CHF or FF leaving Jurrah on a flank and playing him as a third tall on the forward line. It might be a better strategy at the G but I believe Bailey hasn't ruled out going down that track.

What's wrong with doing something different at this stage of the year?

+1 here

Worth a try. Personally i feel Max has more "tap" ruck potential in him than Martin. More so once he gets his AFL legs/strength over a few more pre-seasons, he might be more of a danger/threat up forward when resting than Martin.

Martin's been beaten in the tap ruck area (by this i'm referring to hit outs to advantage) against mediocre opposition in recent weeks, such as Wood (Pies) and Hudson (Doggies). I think Browne (Richmond) was a reasonable win for Martin, but given his opponents relative inexperience (9 games vs Martin's 40), a likely one.

I also felt Max did a slightly better job against the Pies when he was used in the ruck to rest Martin.

Agree re: top heavy comment also. Risky bringing in 3 big guys. Maybe Gawn as sub to bring on for Martin in the 2nd half as a comparison and for a fresh bod in the heat.

I don't think Jurrah has earned his place this week but will no doubt be named for the crowd factor i guess. Personally i'd prefer to see him play off the bench and through the middle to get his work rate up and hopefully keep him more switched on to the role being asked. One of which you would hope is chasing/pressuring on more occasions when he doesn't have the ball, which he has shown he can do pretty well when he puts his mind to it.