TIGERS CRASH CASEY'S PARTY

TIGERS CRASH CASEY'S PARTY by Ice Station

The Casey Scorpions crashed to earth on Saturday when their five game winning streak ended with an emphatic 78 point thrashing at the hands of the third placed Werribee Tigers at Avalon Airport Oval.

It was only the second defeat for the season for Scorpions who have become renowned for scraping out of difficult situations with narrow victories but it must worry the football department that both losses have been blow outs with massive margins involved.

Earlier in the year, Casey lost its only other game of the season to the Bendigo Bombers by 71 points in a similarly disappointing display.

The Scorpions rang in several changes to the team (eight in total) from last week's exciting encounter at Sandringham with selectors naming a relatively inexperienced line up. Second gamer Chris Clay was joined by two debutants in Nathan Page and Gippsland Power's Shannen Lange as 23rd man. Page and Clay vindicated their selection and both were named in the best players for their team.

The game was played in cold, bleak conditions with swirly breezes making it difficult to produce good football. The home side capitalised on its local knowledge and handled the early conditions much better, kicking accurately to open up a 16 point lead at the first break.

From there, the result was never in doubt with the home side dominating the ruck, on the ball and up forward where enigmatic former Geelong premiership player Nathan Ablett  was proving a handful for the Casey defence. The Tigers stretched their lead in every quarter and were untroubled to record a 13 goal winning margin.

Casey's Michael Riseley worked hard all day and was deservedly the visitors' best player on the day. His improvement this season along with Luke Tynan from reserves players to regular seniors members has been a highlight. Skipper Evan Panozza also worked hard to generate some momentum for his team but it was to no avail.

Tom Couch who was moved back on to Melbourne's rookie list to make way for Neville Jetta (returning from injury) racked up 27 disposals ahead of Cale Morton with 26 but generally, the AFL contingent disappointed although it must be added that a few were in the comeback trail after injury and will be better for the run.

After the game, Casey coach Brett Lovett described Werribee as the best team the Scorpions have played so far and told reporters, ''We just think our guys, particularly early, didn't come to play and didn't come to play all day. They showed today that they're bloody good opposition. I thought their ball use and their strength, they just beat us in most areas.''

The Scorpions had better turn up to play next week. They meet top team and reigning premier Port Melbourne at Casey Fields on Sunday in an important top of the ladder contest.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED 

Only eleven Demons lined up for the Scorps and, for the most part, they were disappointing.

Lucas Cook - it wasn't really a day for a key forward in the Casey line up 

Thomas Couch - worked tirelessly, got a lot of the football (27 disposals) and was one of the few shining lights in his team.

Troy Davis - had his hands full for the second week in a row and was beaten in the end simply by the flow of the ball into his part of the ground. 

Jack Fitzpatrick - a good comeback in the ruck and up forward after being well beaten early in the day by Majak Daw. 

Jordan Gysberts  - started well but appeared to suffer an injury in the second quarter and faded out of the game. 

Neville Jetta  - had a quiet return after a long stint out with an ankle injury but what he did, he did well. Will improve with more game time.

Cale Morton - had 26 touches but really didn't seem to make much of an impression despite getting plenty of the ball.

Ricky Petterd  - had his moments but like most of his AFL listed teammates, he was disappointing overall.

James Strauss - a great user of the ball who worked hard in his second or third game back from a long term injury.

Josh Tynan - fearless and that got him hurt in one incident. Generally quiet.

Leigh Williams - marked well and kicked a couple of goals. Promising.

Casey Scorpions 2.3.15 4.4.28 5.5.35 8.7.55

Werribee Tigers 5.1.31 11.5.71 14.10.94 20.13.133

Goals

Casey Scorpions Cook Fitzpatrick Williams 2 Page Smith  

Werribee Tigers Ablett 4 McKinley 3 Daw Lynch 2 Bolton Mather Moloney Ruggles  Sharp Sherlock Sierakowski  Speight Warren

Best

Casey Scorpions Riseley Couch Fitzpatrick Williams Page Clay

Werribee Tigers Ablett Ross Daw Pedersen Kennedy Sierakowski

The Scorpions led in their development league game against Werribee for most of the day before losing the lead late in the game. Rian McGough, who was down from the seniors, knew exactly what had to be done. He booted home the winning goal with seconds to spare.

Seniors co-skipper Kyle Matthews, on return, again injured a shoulder.

2012 AFL Vic Development League

Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 6.4.40 9.8.62  12.12.84

Werribee Tigers 2.3.15 4.7.31 7.8.50 12.9.81

Goals

Casey Scorpions Galvin 3 McGough 2 Weekes 2 Troutman  Collins  Pollard  Sheahan  Hill

Werribee Tigers Schibeci 3 Purton-Smith 3 Risol  Barbuto  Lucas  Ruffles Davis  Sodomaco

Best

Casey Scorpions Patti Pollard Weekes Collins Gent McGough

Werribee Tigers Laracy Sodomaco Purton-Smith Schibeci Risol McCormack