Courageous Casey Scorpions captain Kyle Matthews, who suffered head injuries including a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain after an attack outside a Hawthorn hotel in March, 2010, is set to play his first senior game since the 2009 VFL Elimination Final in his team's last home and away game against the Northern Bullants on Saturday - Mathews Ready For Return.

The result of the game to be played at Casey Fields will determine which of these teams is to earn a final four spot and a qualifying final match up against undefeated ladder leaders Port Melbourne.

The Bullants have an advantage in that their AFL alignment partner Carlton has the bye allowing them to load up with one or two players who might otherwise be playing at AFL level. With a couple of suspensions at Melbourne, it means that one or two Demons from Casey's winning team of last week against Werribee should receive a call up. However, home ground advantage should also play a part in what is likely to be an intriguing battle.

Thanks KC.

Really is a brilliant story that Kyle has been able to come back from this to make it back into the seniors. The Scorpions sure have missed his leadership out on the park aswell as his grunt and contested work in the middle over the best part of 2 seasons.

Another thing that shouldn't be forgotten also is how well the Casey FC have played over this time, with the departures of players like Silvagni & Faulks to compound the loss of Matthews through injury. James Wall really has been fantastic stepping up in Kyle's absence and Casey have been great with the support they've shown Kyle.

Fingers crossed Kyle plays a good game on the weekend and Casey can notch a win for him and secure that all important double chance.

It is fantastic to see him play but the timing in such as critical match for positioning in the finals leaves me a little puzzled. Just hope Fev rises to the occassion and shuts up a few more Demonlanders whom are negative towards him.

CASEY SCORPIONS vs NORTHERN BULLANTS

Saturday 27th August

Casey Fields at 2:00 PM

CASEY SCORPIONS

Backs Nicholson Warnock Bail

Half backs Lees Mohr Bate

Centreline Macdonald McKenzie Davis

Half forwards J Wall Morton Matthews

Forwards Howe Fevola Dunn

Followers Gawn McNamara Nicholls

Interchange (from) Allen* Bell Bolton Campbell Collins Fitzpatrick Gent Johnston Lawrence McGough Panozza Petropoulos Stockdale

NORTHERN BULLANTS

Backs Iacobucci Jamison Dare

Half backs Bower Austin Russell

Centreline Twomey McLean Lucas

Half forwards Houlihan O'hAilpin Thomas

Forwards Saad Hampson White

Followers Meese Curnow McCorkell

Interchange (from) Arrowsmith Biffin* Cachia Casboult Gale Lambert Lincoln Watson Wilson

* 23rd player

The enigmatic Juice Newton is back in the Casey Reserves.

CASEY SCORPIONS vs NORTHERN BULLANTS (Reserve Grade) 

Saturday 27th August

Casey Fields at 11:00 AM

CASEY SCORPIONS 

Backs Corry Hill Bolton

Half backs Collins Fitzpatrick Baumgartner

Centreline Clay Fieldsend Bell

Half forwards McShane Waite Johnston

Forwards Weekes Purves Petropoulos

Followers Newton Riseley Dowse

Interchange (from) Bell Burke Carew Clay Cleven J Costigan Deaurago Fieldsend Gent Lindsay McKenna Patti Pollard Purdy J Roberts

NORTHERN BULLANTS

Backs Pullen Dirago Overman

Half backs Cachia Gale Smith

Centreline Lincoln Bransgrove A Gianfagna

Half forwards Lambert Casboult Toman

Forwards Arrowsmith Bray Dorman

Followers McLellan Marcon Wilson

Interchange (from) Caspersz Dufficy  C Gianfagna Jenkins McCann Marchbank Nesbitt Soncin

Jack Fitzpatrick might have just set some sort of record...tonight named in the Melbourne, the Casey Seniors and the Casey Reserves team!

Juice warming up in the Casey 2's for the finals. Get around him.

Where's Cook?

Emo?

Where's Cook?

Good question, not on the injured list and not selected in the firsts or reserves.

Good question, not on the injured list and not selected in the firsts or reserves.

He is injured. Check last weekends Casey matchday threads.

He didn't even start the game last week. Might explain why he is playing in the reserves recently.

Casey Scorpions win their tenth game on end

Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 8.4.52 13.7.85 18.13.121

Northern Bullants 2.6.18 3.10.22 7.13.55 11.13.79

Goals

Casey ScorpionsCarew 4 McShane 3 Dowse Waite 2 Baumgartner Clay Hill Lindsay Newton Purves J Roberts

Northern Bullants Bray Casboult Marconi 2 Bransgrove Dorman Dufficy McLellan Wilson

Best

Casey Scorpions Corry Fieldsend McShane Pollard Dowse Purdy

Northern Bullants A Gianfagna Dirago Marcon Gale Lincoln Bransgrove

I didn't see much of the Ressies but I did notice Juice on the bench late in the final quarter with a heavily iced knee but this could be precautionary in the case of a player coming back after a fairly long lay off.

Joel Macdonald appears to be the only emergency not out there in the pre game warm up.

In a lively opening, the Bullants draw first blood but Lynden Dunn replies with Casey's first goal for the day.

Hampson and Houlihan goal for the visitors and the Bullants go to an 11 point lead - 3.1.19 to 1.2.8.

Casey coming back with Fevola accepting a fine pass from Rohan Bail for a goal. Casey 2.3.15 to 3.2.20. Kelvin Lawrence shows pace and passes to Fitzpatrick for a goal to put the Scorps one point in front - 3.3.21 to 3.2.20.

Kyle Matthews who has been lively around the ground is freed in front of goal for Casey's fourth.

Quarter Time

Casey Scorpions 4.6.30

Northern Bullants 3.3.21

Scorps got on top in the second half of the term.

Early in the second quarter and Matthews snags his second to put the Scorps two goals up.

A long goal to Fevola brings the house down. He's getting quality delivery from his midfield and is starting to get on top of Jamison.

The Scorpions are full of run and combining brilliantly. A goal to Rian McGough after a great handpass from Collins is followed by a goal from Will Petropoulos - Casey 8.7.55 to 3.3.21.

A neat flick from Lawrence to Fevola whi bounces his third through the sticks. Casey on fire!

The Bullants finally score a goal but co-skipper Matthews is inspirational for Casey on return and scores his third goal for the game. The visitors who went in with 15 AFL listed players are sagging in confidence. Mohr, Davis and Warnock are starring in what is an almost inpenetrable defence.

Matthew Bate finds his right foot for a long goal.

Goal to Dunn and the lead is up to 47 points in the shadows of half time.

The long second quarter finally ends with a goal to Petropoulos. The Scorpions have blown the Bullants away with a nine goal quarter. Totally unexpected as Casey went into the game with only 10 MFC listed players.

Casey Scorpions 4.6.30 13.8.86

Northern 3.3.21 5.3.33