WATTS POWERS CASEY

[Demonland 71,629]

WATTS POWERS CASEY by Ice Station

The Casey Scorpions had to battle hard to win their opening game of the season against flag favourites Williamstown by 2 points at Casey Fields on Saturday night.

The game was tinged with sadness as flags flew at half mast and the players and crowd paid their respects to the great Jim Stynes who passed away earlier in the week. It was under his presidency, that the alignment between Melbourne and Casey was consummated.

The Scorpions had the better of their opponents for most of the first half with young Demons Luke Tapscott and Jack Watts firing up forward and Jordan Gysberts winning the ball well from contested stoppages. Unfortunately, they were unable to put too much distance between themselves and their rivals and they led by 13 points at the main break.

Willy took advantage of this when it dominated the third quarter and turned the game around to lead by 14 points at the end of the term at which point the Seagulls looked likely winners.

However, Watts produced some of the form that made him a number one national draft choice back in 2008. Early in the game he set up some crucial goals and his third quarter goal was his team's only score in the third term but there was more to come.

The Scorpions were right behind the eight ball at the final break. They had conceded the last three goals of the third term and trailed by eight points with three payers unable to come off the interchange.

But in the final stanza, it was Watts who was the difference in class. He kicked a nice long goal himself and combined with onballers Couch and Gysberts to ensure that his team would fight its way back into the game setting up a close and exciting finish.

David Collins crumbed a ball to put the team in front at the 22-minute mark and, after some tense moments Michael Riseley's marked and goaled to put the team ahead by eight points with minutes left. The Seagulls broke back with a late goal but the Scorpions held on in exciting finish to win by two points.

The best of the Casey listed players were Collins while Evan Panozza was steady in defence after a tough start. His co-captain Kyle Matthews just can't take a trick after enduring the past two years coming off with an injured shoulder early in the game after his usual show of courage when attempting to intercept a mark.

It was a good win over a highly fancied opponent which had more AFL listed players but their calibre was not of the same standard as Watts and co and one wonders whether the Scorpions will be able to field as strong a side once the regular AFL season commences.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

A dozen Demons took part in the game but quite a few would be considered candidates for the club's best 22. Here is how they fared:-

Rohan Bail - tough, hard and added some pace.

Thomas Couch ® - a really hard working effort on the ball. A great contestant and needs to keep up that standard for promotion to the senior list.

Jack Fitzpatrick - worked hard but beaten in the ruck and was reasonably solid around the ground. Probably better suited to the forward/rucking role at this stage of his career.

Jack Grimes - started off strongly in the first quarter and did all of the right things as a defender but faded out and was used sparingly after that.

Jordan Gysberts - excellent in the clearances and won the ball with great consistency through all four quarters to mount a strong case for inclusion in Melbourne's team for the opening round.

Tom McDonald - overshadowed by Watts as a forward but he didn't let the team down. Marked strongly, kicked a goal and provided good assistance when occasionally called into the ruck.

Cale Morton - working his way back into form and a place in defence after missing several weeks of the preseason with injury. Started poorly and had a few goals kicked on him but put in a much better second half in which he also kicked the first goal of the last quarter to get the revival under way.

Jai Sheahan ® - impressed again in defence and suppressed a dangerous opponent in Skinner.

James Strauss - played a solid defenders game whereby he stopped his opponents and delivered the ball with accuracy without doing anything obtrusive. Copped a heavy knock to the face late in the game.

Luke Tapscott - did well in his first run after injury, particularly in the first half when he slotted two goals and played a strong role at half forward.

Josh Tynan - impressive youngster who had a go whether in defence or when moved forward later in the game. Kicked a goal and could be a real surprise packet.

Jack Watts - sublime skills, beat his opponents hands down whether on a wing or drifting further forward. Doesn't bash and crash (he might in time) but if he takes that game into the first round of AFL, the club will benefit greatly.

Casey Scorpions 3.4.22 8.7.55 9.7.61 13.9.87

Williamstown 3.1.19 6.6.42 10.9.69 12.13.85

Goals

Casey Scorpions Tapscott Watts 2 Collins Fieldsend Fitzpatrick T McDonald Morton Nicholls Riseley Salton J Tynan

Williamstown Panos 3 Cravino 2 Campbell Hoghton Hooper Johannisen Redpath Sherman Skinner

Best

Casey Scorpions Watts Collins Couch Panozza Gysberts Fitzpatrick

Williamstown Jolley Roberts Campbell Goodes Djerrkura McNamara

AFL Vic Development League

Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 5.3.33 6.6.42 9.7.61

Williamstown 2.2.14 9.4.58 16.5.101 19.9.123

Goals

Casey Scorpions Johnson Petropoulos Thompson 2 Costigan Pollard Smith

Williamstown Woods 3 Anastasio Conway McHarg Wallace 2 Carr Gray Hevern McLeod Mead Morris Muggivan Witkowski

Best

Casey Scorpions Pollard Patti Petropoulos Hill Plummer Smith

Williamstown Witkowski Carr Morris McHarg Gray Sing