NO CLOSE SHAVE

[Demonland 64,385]

NO CLOSE SHAVE by KC from Casey

The Casey Scorpions have finally played in a game that was close on the scoreboard but this time they lost.

History will record that Geelong came to Casey Fields and scored a fourteen point victory on a cold, gloomy Sunday afternoon but the reality is that the Cats dominated totally for three quarters and that the Scorpions' big quarter for the day - the second - was never going to be enough to enable them to take the four premiership points on offer. Instead, their lacklustre performance saw them tumbling from first to third on the competition ladder and they are in possible danger of missing out on a top four spot with the finals a matter of three weeks away.

The game started in a not too dissimilar vein to last week. Geelong looked strong on attack through the middle while Casey was wasteful, mainly through a couple of missed shots from Jack Fitzpatrick who was at least able to find target as the game went on. At the quarter time break, the visitors held a four goal lead.

The second quarter opened dramatically with Liam Jurrah entering the field for the first time and scoring a goal within thirty seconds. With young Luke Hill dominating on his way to a 51 hit out game, the Casey midfield took the ascendency. Tom Couch, Jordan Gysberts and lively youngster Jack Viney were winning the ball well and, with plenty of avenues to go forward, the goals came at frequent intervals. Fitzpatrick, Lucas Cook and Leigh Williams all impressed during this term and by half time the home side appeared to have assumed total control with a 20 point lead after an eight goal to one second quarter.

After half time the wheels slowly fell off and Geelong took command. An injury to Leigh Williams did not help matters and nor did the fact that Jurrah, coming back from a long stint on the sidelines, was being used sparingly. Casey toiled manfully and maintained a lead for most of the third quarter but Geelong's AFL experienced players kept coming and with two late goals, they snatched the lead by a point in the shadows of three quarter time.

Despite a good solo five goal effort from Fitzpatrick, some strong work from Evan Panozza and Jai Sheahan down back and a promising display from Aiden Lindsay in his first game, the Scorps were unable to stem the tide.

Geelong maintained a tight grip on the game in the final stanza and this time there was no dramatic last minute home team comeback to snatch victory. In fact, it was no close shave and the final margin of 14 points was flattering.

Tom Couch made a welcome return from injury with 29 disposals including 5 tackles. David Collins had 24 touches, one more than Jordan Gysberts while Michael Evans, Fitzpatrick and Sheahan each had 20 possessions.

The Scorpions have just six days to recover for Saturday's ABC televised game against Collingwood at Victoria Park in a must win game. They are likely to find themselves opposed to suspended Magpie Dane Swan.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

As the number of MFC-listed players dwindles, so do Casey's stocks. Another injury today, this time to Leigh Williams while Liam Jurrah, on comeback from injury, was only used sparingly.

Lucas Cook (4 kicks, 4 handballs, 4 marks, 1 goal) - didn't have a great impact apart from one strong mark that resulted in his only goal.

Tom Couch (15 kicks, 14 handballs, 3 marks, 5 tackles)  - never stopped working all day and deserves another chance at AFL level for that performance.

Troy Davis (7 kicks, 2 handballs, 2 marks) - appears to have slipped in confidence as the season has worn on.

Michael Evans (14 kicks, 6 handballs, 5 marks, 3 tackles) - a very encouraging effort for Pickles who has come back solidly after missing most of the season with a back injury.

Jack Fitzpatrick (13 kicks, 7 handballs, 6 marks, 23 hit outs, 5 goals) - after a dubious start when two gettable shots at goal produced one point, Fitzpatrick came good with some solid marking in a five goal game.

Jordan Gysberts (9 kicks, 14 handballs, 4 tackles, 2 goals) - fought hard in the midfield where he is good at getting the football and went forward to kick a couple of nice goals.

Liam Jurrah (3 kicks, 2 handballs, 1 goal) - used only sparingly on his comeback and looked at least a month away from being fully fit. Proved he still has the magic but one wonders why he doesn't concentrate on the personal issues in his life and comes back when these have been dealt with.

Jai Sheahan (16 kicks, 4 handballs, 5 marks) - a tremendous response after injury an a couple of development league games. Needs to play out the season at this level and is a definite prospect.

Josh Tynan (6 kicks, 3 handballs) - looked a fair way off the pace.

Leigh Williams (5 kicks, 2 handballs, 3 marks, 1 goal) - was playing what was probably his best game at the club until he injured his ankle.

Casey Scorpions 2.2.14 10.6.66 11.8.74 14.11.95

Geelong 6.2.38 7.4.46 11.9.75 16.13.109

Goals

Casey Scorpions Fitzpatrick 5 Gysberts 2 Collins Cook Gent Jurrah Nicholls Viney Wiilliams

Geelong Kersten 5 Blicavs Hollmer 3 Byrnes 2 Brown Gleeson Maas

Best

Casey Scorpions Fitzpatrick Couch Gysberts Sheahan Collins Lindsay

Geelong Kersten Stringer Gillies Horlin-Smith Brown Byrnes

The development league team played its game at Trevor Barker Beach Oval. They were 29 points up at ¾ time but couldn't hold off the fast finishing Zebras who won by 2 points.

Casey Scorpions 6.2.38 6.6.42 14.7.91 19.9.123

Sandringham 4.1.25 6.4.40 9.9.63 18.17.125

Goals

Casey Scorpions Weekes 4 Galvin 3 Eddy Fieldsend Lang Pollard Thompson 2 McInnes Salton

Sandringham Fallon Maley 3 Coleman Soriano Staley 2 Andreoli Beech La Rocca Mavric Stapleton Widdowson

Best

Casey Scorpions Corry Lang Pollard Rosier Petropoulos McInnes

Sandringham Plostins Maley Michaliades Jones Beech Staley