OPPORTUNITY LOST

OPPORTUNITY LOST by KC from Casey

The Casey Scorpions missed out on the perfect opportunity to secure a top four position on Saturday when they capitulated for the second time this year against a more determined Coburg Tigers.

The defeat came despite a strong performance by full forward Brendan Fevola who was in fine form with his marking, leading and kicking to finish with seven goals.

The game was played at Mantello Holden Oval, Coburg under the watchful eye of Greater Western Sydney List Manager Stephen Silvagni. The GWS coach Kevin Sheedy has publicly ruled out claiming Casey's controversial recruit for next season, but speculation at the ground still centred on whether SOS was on a mission to check out his former team mate or perhaps, draft combine invitee Tim Mohr. Either way, he would have left the ground suitably impressed.

The Scorpions appeared in control early although they failed to exert their superiority on the scoreboard. Rian McGough celebrated his return from the reserves with two goals in the first term and the Casey on ballers were on top although some sloppy play led to turnovers and the Tigers managed a couple of long goals that rolled through an unguarded goalsquare to stay in touch at the first break.

The Scorpions suffered a major blow soon after proceedings restarted when ruckman Robbie Campbell came off second best and was knocked out after a sickening collision on the boundary line. He was to play no further part in the game.

Although Fevola kicked two quick goals immediately after the incident, the big man's departure changed the balance of the game as coach Brad Gotch recast his team. Coburg's rucks took over and while the game ebbed and flowed for a time, the Tigers booted three late goals to take a six point lead into the rooms at half time.

Beanpole Jack Fitzpatrick, who had been moving well and impressed up forward, was called into the ruck leaving Fevola who had three goals to half time now isolated as the main target. Casey came back with two quick goals in a bright opening to the third term when a Neville Jetta pass found McGough for his third and Jamie Bennell also passed truly to Fevola who slotted through his fourth.

Not to be outdone, the home side returned fire to press back in front thanks to some errors from the Scorpions' defence but Matthew Bate struck a purple patch with two goals within minutes to restore the lead. Bate had an opportunity to further extend the lead but the redhead's rushed snap from 15 metres missed everything and went out of bounds on the full.

From this point onwards it was mainly all Coburg for the remainder of the term with Fevola the only Casey forward who looked like kicking goals. By contrast, the Tigers were full of running and their passing by hand and by foot was too good for the visitors.

A goal from a Fevola mark on the three quarter time siren was a saver for the visitors but the Tigers were now brimming with confidence. They led by two goals and an upset was on the cards.

The ultimate result of the game was settled in the opening minutes of the final term when the Burgers, spurred on by their home crowd and a noisy cheer squad, slotted home three goals in five or six minutes to extend the lead to thirty points. Bate scored his third from a rare Casey free kick which was followed by a 50 metre penalty and the gap could have been narrowed further but for some errant passing close to the Casey goals.

To their credit, the Scorpions refused to surrender and did most of the attacking in the latter stages of the game. Fevola was always the danger man and he added two more goals to easily stamp himself as his team's best player. However, time was now the enemy and the game petered out with Casey 15 points in arrears at the final siren.

Tom McNamara with 25 disposals was busy all day for the Scorpions and Matthew Bate who also had 25 touches to add to his three goals put in an impressive display particularly given that he spent large stretches of the first term receiving attention from the trainers.

Rian McGough proved a handful for the Coburg defence early in the game and Michael Stockdale (23 possessions) was a prolific ballwinner after last week's stint in the reserves. Neville Jetta with 21 touches and 5 tackles was brilliant in patches and helped keep the team in touch after half time.

All in all however, it was a disappointing effort from a team that had so much to gain from a win in this match but next Saturday provides it with the perfect opportunity to atone against the VFL's other Tigers, Werribee. The two meet at Casey Fields and the loser will almost certainly miss out on a final opportunity to challenge for a top four placing.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Melon22 notes that this week's changes and injuries at AFL level certainly had an effect on Casey's performance this week. Coburg certainly took advantage of the absence of Sam Blease and Dan Nicholson from last week's team. With the exception of Jamie Bennell, the Casey defenders were all 190cm or taller and the Coburg small forwards had a field day.

The Scorpions fielded only ten Demons but that was soon reduced to nine when Robbie Campbell went down.

Here's Melon22's rundown on the Demons:-

Matthew Bate – struggled to have a big influence on the game early and was a victim at times of Casey’s tactics of trying to isolate Fevola where he was sometimes ignored for the sake of the team. Was moved into the middle in the last quarter where he made an instant impact but unfortunately for Casey it was all too late as the game was already lost.

Jamie Bennell – was behind some of Casey’s best moves for the day with some dazzling runs. One of the only Casey players with clean disposal on the day but wasn’t able to gather enough disposals to help Casey get over the line.

Robert Cambpell – was on top of Andrew Browne in the ruck until he was knocked out early in the second quarter after a nasty head clash.

Troy Davis – probably his most disappointing display so far; seemed uncharacteristically hesitant at times and didn’t seem at ease against the small Coburg forward line.

Jack Fitzpatrick – started well up forward where he was too big and quick for his opponent but then was forced to move into the ruck after Campbell’s injury. He battled well in the ruck but was just shaded by Andrew Browne.

Neville Jetta - the spark behind a good spell for Casey in the third quarter and was probably the best of the Demon players. His disposal was clean and efficient and he was able to put on good defensive pressure on as well with five tackles. Has shown good form over the last couple of weeks and could be in line for a recall.

Kelvin Lawrence – his tackling efforts were great but he struggled on the day with his disposal along with most of his Casey teammates. Needs to start adding goals to his game just to cap off some of the great work that he is doing defensively.

Tom McDonald – played mostly up forward where he tried hard and took a couple of great marks but was generally quiet.

Tom McNamara - finished with 25 disposals but wasn’t particularly damaging. He battled hard but, despite getting plenty of the ball, he was never going to be a real influence on the result.

Matthew Warnock - one of his poorer displays. Looked off the pace all day, allowed to his direct opponent in Griffiths a lot of space and wasn’t able to influence the contest at all.

Casey Scorpions 4.2.26 7.5.47 12.7.79 15.12.102

Coburg Tigers 3.1.19 8.5.53 14.7.91 18.9.117

Goals

Casey Scorpions Fevola 7 Bate McGough 3 Bennell Nicholls

Coburg Tigers Hicks 5 Carnell Contin 4 Jordan 2 Browne Clifton Griffiths O'Rielly Westhoff White

Best

Casey Scorpions Fevola McNamara Bate McGough Lees Stockdale

Coburg Tigers Browne Rayson O'Rielly Hicks Carnell

The Casey Reserves continued on their winning way although they were helped by Coburg's inaccuracy in the first half.

The match marked the welcome return to form after a long lay off after a series of injuries of courageous the club's co-skipper Kyle Matthews who was clear best on ground and staked a claim for a return to the seniors with an inspired performance.

The goals were evenly shared with Rohan Bail, Mitch Dowse and Ben Waite, the multiple goal scorers with two each.

The 38 point win puts Casey in the box seat for a top four berth with the finals looming.

Casey Scorpions 6.1.37 8.3.52 13.6.84 18.9.117

Coburg Tigers 2.5.17 5.8.38 6.13.49 11.13.79

Goals

Casey Scorpions Bail Dowse Purves Waite 2 Allen Clay Collins Cook Fieldsend McShane Matthews Pollard Purdy Weekes

Coburg Tigers Pound Xuereb 2 Ambrose Ambrose Cartello Dahl Duhau Lirosi Morris

Best

Casey Scorpions Matthews Patti Cleven Bolton Dowse Purdy

Coburg Tigers Thomas Cartelli Dahl Garland Lirosi Robortellas other Tigers, Werribee when they meet at Casey Fields in what will almost certainly decide the issue of who takes fourth place.

Casey Scorpions 4.2.26 7.5.47 12.7.79 15.12.102

Coburg Tigers 3.1.19 8.5.53 14.7.91 18.9.117

Goals

Casey Scorpions Fevola 7 Bate McGough 3 Bennell Nicholls

Coburg Tigers Hicks 5 Carnell Contin 4 Jordan 2 Browne Clifton Griffiths O'Rielly Westhoff White

Best

Casey Scorpions Fevola McNamara Bate McGough Lees Stockdale

Coburg Tigers Browne Rayson O'Rielly Hicks Carnell

The Casey Reserves continued on their winning way although they were helped by Coburg's inaccuracy in the first half.

The match marked the welcome return to form after a long lay off after a series of injuries of courageous the club's co-skipper Kyle Matthews who was clear best on ground and staked a claim for a return to the seniors with an inspired performance.

The goals were evenly shared with Rohan Bail, Mitch Dowse and Ben Waite, the multiple goal scorers with two each.

The 38 point win puts Casey in the box seat for a top four berth with the finals looming.

Casey Scorpions 6.1.37 8.3.52 13.6.84 18.9.117

Coburg Tigers 2.5.17 5.8.38 6.13.49 11.13.79

Goals

Casey Scorpions Bail Dowse Purves Waite 2 Allen Clay Collins Cook Fieldsend McShane Matthews Pollard Purdy Weekes

Coburg Tigers Pound Xuereb 2 Ambrose Ambrose Cartello Dahl Duhau Lirosi Morris

Best

Casey Scorpions Matthews Patti Cleven Bolton Dowse Purdy

Coburg Tigers Thomas Cartelli Dahl Garland Lirosi Robortella