THE E WORD

THE E WORD by KC from Casey with Whispering Jack

"Emotion" is a word that isn't found in the dictionaries of some of the hardnosed people who operate at the pointy end of elite sports but, on Saturday at Casey Fields, it was there in bucket loads as the Scorpions surprised the pundits and thrashed the Bullants by exactly 100 points.

The story of the day started with the return after almost two years in the football wilderness of courageous Casey co-captain Kyle Matthews but there are many other stories to tell from the game.

Mathews suffered head injuries including a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain in an attack outside a Hawthorn hotel left him in a coma in March, 2010. He worked hard to return to the game after a 12-month absence but suffered further setbacks in the form of two hamstring injuries and a fractured fibula (from a mid-season scratch match).

He was in line for senior selection last week against Werribee after three reserves games but his brother's wedding meant that his senior comeback was delayed a further week. The wait was worth it and his triumphant return came almost two years to the day after his last game which was his team's disastrous loss in the 2009 elimination final against Collingwood.

Wearing a head guard and looking like a kid with his slight build, Matthews took the game by the scruff of the neck and set the example for his team with his second, third and sometimes fourth efforts that can only be described as sublime. His desperation, his attack on the football and the way he threw his body into every contest permeated through the team and inspired the group to produce its finest performance for the season.

Matthews set the example through the midfield and up forward where he had five goals on the board by the final break at which time he had earned a rest and the opportunity to watch his team coast home against an opposition which until very recently was considered a top four certainty.

The Bullants had every reason to feel confident when they arrived at the ground, their team brimming with AFL experience. They had 15 Carlton listed players, many with aspirations of taking part in the finals at elite level while suspensions and injuries at Melbourne kept Casey's AFL list down to a season's low of ten players.

The early part of the game suggested that the Bullants' size and greater experience would prevail. At the midpoint of the opening term, they had McLean and Russell dominating possessions and things looked ominous after goals to Hampson and Houlihan gave them an eleven point lead - 3.1.19 to 1.2.8. Casey's lone goal had been kicked by Lynden Dunn.

However, the game was dramatically turned on its head by the brilliance of Matthews and red headed Demon Matthew Bate. The pair were the catalysts for the turnaround which started when the day's other big emotional story Brendan Fevola kicked his first goal after accepting a fine pass from Rohan Bail.

It was the first of ten for Fevola after a week in which it was revealed that he had yet to attract any interest from any AFL club for 2012 and in which his father Ange made a plea to the Demons to give his son a chance at AFL redemption in 2012.

Fevola came to the club as an overweight tormented soul, missed the early part of the season, struggled for form and finally hit his straps with two double figure totals in the run home to finish four goals shy of the Frosty Miller trophy for the VFL's top goal kicker.

Moreover, he's been a model citizen on and off the field and has well and truly justified the faith put into him by the Scorpions' board. He seems contented in his life and his work and was paid the ultimate compliment on Ten's Before the Game programme which crossed to the Casey rooms to award him the player of the day prize where he revealed he had lost 16kg since March on the same diet that has given Shane Warne a new slim line figure.

The star forward saw off three quality AFL opponents in Jamison, Bower and Watson and finished with 17 possessions and ten marks. His 10.2 haul included angle goals, snaps and a couple that just dribbled through the big sticks.

Posters of the man affectionately known as "The Fev" were for $10.00 and, by the game's latter stages, he even had the large contingent of Carlton fans on hand at the ground applauding as he destroyed the defenders who were unfortunate enough to be pitted against him.

Casey won every quarter on its way to claiming a top four placing and an appointment with undefeated Port Melbourne for next week's qualifying final at North Port.

The emotion of the day did not end there. Bate who has had a tough time finding the form to get an AFL game but has been very good at the Scorpions blitzed in the midfield with 38 possessions (14 in the final quarter), Bail starred with his pace and long kicking picking up 27 touches and Dan Nicholson (25 disposals) provided great run. Kelvin Lawrence also showed brilliance and some scintillating running and passing. The big men Robert Campbell and young Max Gawn dominated in the ruck and around the ground while beanpole Jack Fitzpatrick bobbed up with four goals and demonstrated amazing pace for one so tall.

These big stories overshadowed the tale of Casey's dominant defence led by Matthew Warnock who was well backed up by Demon youngster Troy Davis who overcome a thyroid problem to rise to prominence in the Scorpion backline and underscore his future potential at a higher level and the much improved Tim Mohr who is bound for the AFL draft combine in October.

There's more because Matthews' inspiration also lifted many of his fellow Casey listed players to their personal best games of the season. His ever reliable co-skipper James Wall dominated his wing with 24 possessions, Danny Nicholls (who also overcame a serious injury to break back into the team), Rian McGough, Dave Collins and Will Petropoulos played out their respective roles and 23 year old debutant Jess Bolton will never forget his own impressive debut in senior ranks. Wade Lees captured another big scalp in shutting out Ed Curnow.

The win was also a tribute to the work of coach Brad Gotch. Mindful of the fact that there's much work to do in the month ahead he fired his charges up at the last break urging them to go on with it and not to let up.

"Good sides don't hold back."

They didn't hold back and their coach's message will remain on the mind of every player as the team takes on the undefeated minor premiers in the big one next weekend.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

There were only ten MFC listed players in the Casey 23 and they were all part of this fine team effort as Melon22 describes:

Rohan Bail – was dynamic in his third game back from injury; his disposal all day was exquisite and ran out the game really well to show he is almost back to full fitness. Definitely ready to come back into the Demons line up but I am sure Brad Gotch would love to have his class for the crucial game against Port Melbourne next week.

Matthew Bate – the dominant player for Casey in a brilliant team display. Because of injuries and suspension to the Demons, Matty was played in the midfield where he excelled. When he did spend time forward he was too strong and quick for his opponents in what was a brilliant all-round display. If he is called up for the Demons it would be a devastating blow for Casey’s chances as Matty always gives his all and has been probably been Casey’s best player this year.

Robbie Campbell – formed a formidable ruck partnership with Gawn and dominated the hit outs all day. His agility and second efforts around the clearances have significantly improved over the last few weeks and he is starting to regain the kind of form that could see him on a senior AFL list next year.

Troy Davis – one of his best displays for Casey this year, dominated across half back and was able to give good run out of defence as well. Troy plays with a great intensity and always hits the contest hard. He was a little sloppy with his kicking which slightly marred a fantastic performance.

Lynden Dunn – played at CHF and he will be disappointed that he wasn’t able join in the demolition of the Bullants as much as he would have wanted but did kick two nice goals.

Jack Fitzpatrick – kicked 4 goals including one brilliant snap on the run in an enterprising display from the big man. He has shown enough in small glimpses to suggest that he has a big future as a key forward.

Max Gawn – shared the ruckwork evenly with Robbie Campbell and contributed to the dominant display with some sublime tap work. He is getting himself in some dangerous areas around the ground and becoming involved in the play as a target coming out of defense.

Kelvin Lawrence – played on a wing and was energetic without having a great influence on the game. Missed a couple of early shots at goal which he would have been disappointed with.

Daniel Nicholson – was played across half back with stints in the midfield. Displayed a great amount of energy all day and was always willing to run and carry. Managed to be a lot tidier in his disposal this week but had a couple of opportunities to finish his runs with a goal but unfortunately wasn't able to capitalise.

Matthew Warnock – was on AFL calibre forwards in Hampson and Setenta O’Halpin and had the better of them for most of the day in a very impressive display.

Casey Scorpions 4.6.30 13.8.86 19.10.124 28.12.180

Northern Bullants 3.3.21 5.3.33 7.8.50 11.14.80

Goals

Casey Scorpions Fevola 10 Matthews 5 Fitzpatrick 4 Bate Dunn Petropoulos 2 Bail McGough Wall

Northern Bullants Lambert Saad 2 Arrowsmith Austin Biffin Hampson Houlihan Iacobucci O'hAilpin

Best

Casey Scorpions Bate Bail Fevola Mohr Lees Matthews

Northern Bullants Lucas McLean Iacobucci Russell Lambert Dare

The Casey reserves made it ten games on end with a seven goal victory over the Bullants, the team that beat them way back in round one, well before the Scorpions began flexing their muscles on the way to their first finals series since moving from Springvale.

Tom Corry starred in the midfield and was ably backed up by Matt Fieldsend while Blake Carew bobbed up with four goals. Aaron Purves finished the home and away series as the top goal kicker in the VFL Reserves competition.

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 Scorpions Carew 4 McShane 3 Dowse Waite 2 Baumgartner Clay Hill Lindsay Newton Purves J Roberts

Northern Bullants Bray Casboult Marcon 2 Bransgrove Dorman Dufficy McLellan Wilson

Best

Casey Scorpions Corry Fieldsend McShane Pollard Dowse Purdy

Northern Bullants A Gianfagna Dirago Marcon Gale Lincoln Bransgrove