SCORPIONS DO IT SWEETLY by Ice Station

The Casey Scorpions scored their second successive come from behind narrow victory of the season with a six-point win over the Coburg Tigers at Mantello Holden Oval (Coburg City Oval).

Casey won the game off a dominant first half when it led by as much as eight goals during the second term after conceding the first goal of the match. They lost Jordan Gysberts who hobbled off with an ankle injury before half time and the Tigers came back strongly.

Demons Lynden Dunn and Tom McDonald with three goals each proved a formidable combination in front of goal. It was a fine effort in particular from Dunn who was emergency for Melbourne and didn't get to the ground until quarter time.

Leading by 31 points at the main break and looking to be in full control in the warm and woolly conditions, the Scorpions fell into a hole in much the same way as their alignment partner down the road at the MCG failing to score a goal against the home side in the third quarter.

A shaky lead of 15 points at the final break soon evaporated to nothing as the Tigers rammed home three successive goals and the Scorpions looked done and dusted before gathering a second wind. Like last week, they found enough to get their noses in front and then hang on to a six-point victory.

The result was sweet revenge for the Scorps who reversed two of last year's most disappointing performances when they lost both games to the then lowly Tigers who are considered one of the improving teams of 2012.

Casey was without injured co-skipper Kyle Matthews and dour defender Wade Lees but Matt Fieldsend (24 disposals) signalled a promising return to the form he showed in his debut season two years ago and Rian McGough was handy near the big sticks with two goals. Debutant Jordan Pollard and Will Petropoulos were also handy for the Scorpions. Michael Riseley is one of 21 young players included in the inaugural intake for the AFL Victoria VFL Academy.

Cale Morton (23 possessions) and Jamie Bennell were both strong in defence and with Adelaide recruit James Sellar, they put their hands up for promotion for Melbourne's trip west next week. Former Magpie VFL player Tom Couch was top possession winner with 25.

The Scorpions will play host to neighbourhood rival Frankston on Easter Sunday.

Casey Scorpions 3.4.22 9.6.60 9.10.64 13.15.93

Coburg Tigers 1.4.10 4.5.29 7.7.49 13.9.87

Goals

Casey Scorpions Dunn McDonald 3 McGough 2 Couch Fitzpatrick Lawrence Petropoulos Pollard

Coburg Tigers Maric 4 Carnell 3 White 2 Browne Contin Graham O'Hanlon

Best

Casey Scorpions McDonald Morton Couch Sellar Bennell Fieldsend

Coburg Tigers Maric Arnot White Wheeler Batchelor Carnell

2012 AFL Vic Development League

Casey Scorpions 1.0.6 2.1.13 3.1.19 7.9.51

Coburg Tigers 8.6.54 11.9.75 14.13.97 14.17.101

Goals

Casey Scorpions Smith 3 Rosier 2 Galvin Page

Coburg Tigers Hore 3 Thomas 3 Cole 2 Iudica Uysal Linton Egger Robertella Younan

Best

Casey Scorpions Plummer Smith Gent Patti Lindsay Bolton

Coburg TigersThomas Masters Cole Cartelli Uysal Groves

Tom McKenzie, eh?

Good report otherwise. I wonder who'll be in the team next week.

did gysberts and tapscott play, does anyone know?

Looks like everyone's favourite, Dunn will be playing next week.

Morton must play. He's too good for VFL and he was touted as the second best junior in Aust. at age 17 or 18.

Sick of our high draft picks being wasted.

Looks like everyone's favourite, Dunn will be playing next week.

Morton must play. He's too good for VFL and he was touted as the second best junior in Aust. at age 17 or 18.

Sick of our high draft picks being wasted.

So was Sellar at the same age... But he has already been delisted by one club and is trying to earn a spot in a pathetic Melbourne side. Does that mean he should be a walk up start next week?

Morton will play when he earns a game. Not because he was touted as the second best junior at the age of 17 or 18.

That's ridiculous.

Maric played for Coburg? Is that a third Maric on the Tiger's list? It's a bit like the Riolis in the Top End but perhaps without the same talent and flair..

It's Nick - a younger brother of Addam Maric, now with Richmond. He's a terrific young player but unfortunately not tall enough for the AFL at 165cm.

Two interesting stories about the game:-

VFL: Casey Scorpions send signal to Demons

Scorps hold off Coburg