CASEY COMEBACK by KC from Casey

The measure of a good team is in the way it responds to adversity and on Sunday, the Casey Scorpions showed tremendous spirit by turning around last week's disappointment to crush Sandringham by 63 points at Casey Fields.

The Scorpions came into the game with a steely determination to erase all memory of their disastrous visit to Corio Bay and they dominated proceedings in the first half to such an extent that the Zebras failed to penetrate the goals until the early stages of the third quarter.

The team flexed its muscle early with the defence taking full control. Matthew Warnock who has been shunned by the selectors at AFL level set the tone for the game, assuming the leadership role of a very powerful defence. Cale Morton, who was the top possession gatherer last week, started in the middle and repeated the dose. He was a ball magnet in a winning on ball squad. James Wall was solid as usual and showed great leadership while Danny Nicholls was lively in just his second game back after a long layoff after injury. Addam Maric booted the first goal but the forwards frittered away opportunities in front of goal.

Casey stretched its lead in the second term with Brendan Fevola showing he has recovered from his bout of flu. After a quite start to the game, the enigmatic forward added three goals for the quarter in a five minute burst while Neville Jetta and Liam Jurrah added more excitement to the team's forward thrusts. The unselfish Fevola did more than just kick goals, giving a couple of goals away to his fellow forwards as the home team streaked away to go into the sheds at the main break with an unassailable 51-point lead.

The Zebras were fired up after half time with tall forward Will Johnson booting the first of his three goals seven minutes into the third term to lift the visitors' spirits. In between, midfielder Tom McNamara kicked a great checkside goal. Evan Panozza was relishing his return to the senior team with a goal and, when Fevola booted his fourth, Casey had snuffed out the Zebra challenge. The three quarter time lead was 64 points by which time the star full forward had added another for his 40th goal of the season.

The fourth term was a high scoring finale with the ball moving from coast to coast at great pace given the time of the game. Young defenders Sam Blease and Troy Davis were outstanding for the Scorpions who ran out comfortable winners in the end.

Brad Gotch's charges have now restored their claim for a top four placing and with forthcoming games against Coburg, Werribee and the Northern Bullants, the team's destiny is in its own hands.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

After Melbourne's week from hell and the less than satisfactory response of the Demons in their game against the Blues on Saturday, the spotlight was on the lads at Casey Fields. A leading performance from any of the 15 Melbourne listed players on show would enhance their prospects of gaining promotion into AFL ranks. Melon22 casts an eye on the Demons in the game and has mainly good news on how they fared.

Jamie Bennell - played mainly across the half line backline for most of the game and gave a good performance. His second efforts and his intensity at the contest were a highlight of his game. Has been a consistent performer for Casey since being dropped and is giving a better four quarter effort which should see him close to senior selection.

Sam Blease - played one of his best defensive games so far with some great attack on the ball and was a solid contributor for all four quarters. He still needs to clean up his game before he pushes for regular AFL spot but it is sometimes easy to forget that this is his first full year of AFL football. Some of his kicking and his tricks are a sight to behold. Blease is still a work in progress but it’s all heading in the right direction for Sammy.

Robert Campbell - pitted up against another AFL premiership in Michael Gardiner and probably just edged his opponent in a very competitive display.

Troy Davis – was part of a fantastic defence that was the backbone of the Casey win. Has been another very consistent performer for Casey since coming back from injury earlier in the season. He shows good anticipation, reads the play well and is surprisingly quick for such a solid kid. An outside chance to play AFL this year, he has the form and the body to play but with such strong competition for places in defence might have to bide his time.

Neville Jetta- put his case forward for senior selection with his now signature tackling; was clean with his disposal and a solid contributor. Managed to bag three goals, which should have been four after a missing an easy one late in the game.

Liam Jurrah - was good without being dominant, at times some of his team mates were a bit too eager to give him the ball and he was very closely watched by a nervous Sandy defence. He finished better than he started and will take some confidence from some of his work up while up the ground.

Jack Fitzpatrick - deserved his spot after kicking a bag for Casey reserves last week. Played as a ruck/forward and impressed as a key forward taking a couple of very nice contested marks. Jack is amazingly quick for such a big guy and having not seen him play in a while I was very pleased to see his development. He is now stronger and more confident than this time last year.

Kelvin Lawrence - extremely impressive as a small forward and played with a great intensity right until the final siren where he used his pace to create and to shut down the Sandy defenders. His defensive pressure was great and he played with a great appetite for the tackle which is a giant step forward for Kelvin. Ten tackles for the match was outstanding.

Addam Maric - very clean with his disposal and seemed to have learnt from some decision-making errors in the last couple of weeks. Might need to do more to push for senior selection.

Tom Mcdonald – played in defence and continues to impress, is a fantastic competitor who just contributes in whatever position he is played. Had another solid game; in the aerial contests he was rarely beaten and with the ball he was remarkably composed in traffic. Made a couple a turnovers coming out of defence in the last quarter which slightly marred another very good display.

Tom McNamara - fairly quiet but contributed with two very nice goals, one a pearler from outside 50m.

Cale Morton – played the entire game in the centre and played with a renewed confidence. Was outstanding in the clearances and showed the talent that we all know he has in a best on ground performance. He attacked the ball with a vigour that he has not shown in the last couple of months and it was great to see his disposal has dramatically improved with a return of confidence. Hopefully he can carry his form into the AFL where his run and disposal is a weapon.

Daniel Nicholson – played in the back pocket and was solid without being spectacular, gave drive out of defence and was good defensively.

Colin Sylvia – did a lot of the grunt work for Casey in the clearances but didn’t manage to influence the game as much as he would have wanted for an experienced AFL player. Kicked a nice goal in the last quarter on the run.

Matthew Warnock – the dominant player for Casey in the backline leading his opponent to the ball all day. Matty is the general of a very strong Casey backline and is a dominant player at VFL level, he hardly put a foot wrong in another faultless performance.

Casey Scorpions 2.4.16 8.6.54 13.8.86 18.12.120

Sandringham 0.1.1 0.3.3 3.4.22 9.5.59

Goals

Casey Scorpions Fevola 5 Jetta Jurrah 3 McNamara 2 McDonald Maric Morton Panozza Sylvia

Sandringham Johnson 3 Archer Coleman 2 Curren Lynch

Best

Casey Scorpions Morton Warnock Blease Lawrence Fevola Jetta

Sandringham Simpkin Baker Gallagher Johnson Lynch Walsh

The Casey Reserves have made rapid strides since losing their opening game to the Northern Bullants and continued on their winning way with an emphatic 100 point victory over Sandringham.

David Bell starred with six goals and Stef Baumgartner was in prolific form as the team consolidated its place in the top four.

Casey Scorpions 4.2.26 9.3.57 13.9.87 20.14.134

Sandringham 1.3.9 2.6.18 3.8.24 4.10.34

Goals

Casey Scorpions Bell 6 Purves 4 Fieldsend McShane Lees 2 Allen Cook Matthews Weekes

Sandringham Ferraro Lourey Wade Michaliades

Best

Casey Scorpions Bell Baumgartner Cleven Patti Clay Purves

Sandringham Andrews Ferraro Lourey Porebski Mavric Shakallis

I really, really, really want to see Davis or Mcdonald in the side at some stage for Rivers. Both (particularly the review of McDonald in this particular game) seem to have the same strengths as Riv, but also better physically attributes than Jared?

Warnock HAS to get an opportunity at another club next year... we should be very active in trying to offload him and someone else (Bate, Dunn, Maric... others) for O'Meara.

Getting excited about Fitz too.

Good on Cale Morton. He's managed to go against the flow and actually shown improvement and greater confidence during the crisis period. Looks a good thing to get a run in the Demons' midfield this week.

Good on Cale Morton. He's managed to go against the flow and actually shown improvement and greater confidence during the crisis period. Looks a good thing to get a run in the Demons' midfield this week.

Think he can still make it under a new Coach WJ. Can't believe an 18 year old kid who played so well in his first year hasn't gone on with it. Needs some physical development, confidence and a good game plan from a new Coach. Could be a big improver next year.

Warnock's biggest problem is his disposal and in particular when he is under pressure; even when he's not it's a bit of a problem, Apart from that he's not a bad footballer and if the right coach got through to him to take a bit more time and care he may be alright. He's a good size he's got a bit of aggro and he is ok in most other areas.

I think the problem has been that we have too many in the backline that have bad disposal and it's really shown up this year.

Grimes was dreadful at times, perhaps it was because of the game plan and the fact he had to hold on to the ball longer waiting for someone to pass it off to. There were times in the early part of the season where Grimes and Warnock would kick it to each other even though the other was in a worse position, Joel Mac was involved as well and was just as bad. Bartram seems to have got worse towards the end of the season and Morton at times makes you cringe. Rivers is ok at times but not so good at others.

Nicholson is an ok kick and his decision making will improve, Tapscott is a good kick and will get better, Strauss is really unknown, he was improving when he went down.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that if these players had a better game plan that didn't involve holding on to the ball exposing and exacerbating their lack of disposal/decision making they may be more effective. if the pressure was taken off Warnock and he wasn't required to make pinpoint passes could be a much required player.

Think he can still make it under a new Coach WJ. Can't believe an 18 year old kid who played so well in his first year hasn't gone on with it. Needs some physical development, confidence and a good game plan from a new Coach. Could be a big improver next year.

Do you think he's been played out of position; is he more a midfielder and not a back man?

It's all well and good to have a bit of flexibility but if along the way it destroys a players confidence and his capacity to perform you have to ask the question.

You've actually pointed out an important benefit from the early change of coach. Players who perceived their cards were marked under Bailey now get their chance to play without inhibition. If they come out of their shells and perform at their best, careers might be saved.

Having said that, it's a big jump from playing out in the sticks and bullying some kid from Sandringham to playing at Etkhad against players destined for finals in the AFL.

Do you think he's been played out of position; is he more a midfielder and not a back man?

It's all well and good to have a bit of flexibility but if along the way it destroys a players confidence and his capacity to perform you have to ask the question.

Yes, he is a pure midfielder and we are all wanted him to be that swing man but we wont be. I understand what Bailey and Co wanted to acheive by playing Morton down back but he was never comfortable and lost all confidence playing in defense. He was an elite midfielder at under 18 level and showed enough in his first couple of years for us to get excited by his ability. The club wanted him to work on his defensive side of his game and ever since that decision was made Cale has been in and out of the team.