THREE IN A ROW FOR THE SCORPIONS by KC from Casey

The Casey Scorpions produced one of their finest performances in recent years when they led all the way to record an 82-point win against Essendon at Windy Hill on Saturday.

Before the game, most of the experts agreed that we were in for a close, hard fought game and this was certainly the case in the entertaining opening stanza. The Scorpions kicked the first three goals, two of them to elusive young small man Nathan Page but the Bombers came back to narrow the margin to a mere four points at the first break.

With its midfield dominant, Casey bounded away in the second term as it rained goals. By half time, the visitors had opened up a 28 point lead and looked the goods. Jake Spencer (37 hitouts and six tackles) was dominant in the ruck and he was ably assisted by Jack Fitzpatrick, back from a bout of concussion, who kicked 3 goals and had 17 hitouts. Jordie McKenzie, David Rodan and James Magner were all prominent along with Rory Taggert who has missed so much football after his long layoff due to a back problem. Michael Riseley returned to the senior team with a solid four quarter performance.

After the break, Casey continued to dominate all over the ground. Young sensation, Jesse Hogan who had been impressive with his strong marking and clever play, scored two quick goals setting off the scoring avalanche. By three quarter time, the visitors had 19 goals on the board and held an unassailable 69 point lead which was stretched further into a trouncing by the end of the day.

Fans at the ground were treated to a glimpse of the future with Hogan and Essendon's Joe Daniher both demonstrating great raw potential. Both players scored four goals but Hogan is a year younger than the Bomber and cannot make his AFL debut until next year. He was excellent on the ground and in the air and finished with 19 disposals.

Casey returns to home territory with a Saturday night clash against league leaders Williamstown. The two sides featured in a memorable game under lights to kick off the season last year and next weeks clash shows all the signs of more to come.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Sam Blease - has a good turn of speed and used it to advantage on the wing for Casey. 11 kicks, 5 handballs, 16 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle.

Mitch Clisby - played well in defence and got lots of the ball. He cleared the ball out of defence crisply and mostly to the team's advantage. 11 kicks, 10 handballs, 21 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles.

Tom Couch - had his usual busy day in and under the packs in the midfield and kicked two goals. 13 kicks, 10 handballs, 23 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 2 goals, 0 behinds.

Troy Davis - did all the right things you want from a defender. Safe in the air and knows when and how to spoil. 5 kicks, 10 handballs, 15 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle.

Jack Fitzpatrick - first game coming back from a bout of concussion and, with Jake Spencer, played his role in a dominant ruck combination and also kicked a few goals. 8 kicks, 4 handballs, 12 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 14 hit outs, 3 goals, 1 behind.

Jesse Hogan - a key position player with great potential. Can't wait to see him, Clark, Howe and Dawes in the same forward line. Unfortunately, that won't be until 2014. Jesse Hogan 12 kicks, 7 handballs, 19 disposals, 5 marks, 1 tackle, 4 goals, 1 behind.

Dean Kent - very quiet in the first half but worked hard in the second and also kicked a nice goal. 6 kicks, 5 handballs, 11 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 goal, 0 behinds.

James Magner - his usual hard at it game in which he amassed possessions and was very good at the coal face in the packs.19 kicks, 14 handballs, 33 disposals, 7 marks, 8 tackles, 1 goal, 0 behinds.

Jordie McKenzie - timely return from injury and worked hard all day showing terrific desperation although he still needs to improve his disposal. 14 kicks, 15 handballs, 29 disposals, 0 marks, 6 tackles.

Daniel Nicholson - a solid game full of run. 11 kicks, 7 handballs, 18 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 1 hit out.

David Rodan - the consummate professional did everything that was expected of him. Kicked three goals and is too good for this level but one wonders whether he can still cut it regularly at the level above. 9 kicks, 14 handballs, 23 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 3 goals, 0 behinds.

Jake Spencer - Casey's best player. Dominated the ruck and worked hard around the ground chasing, spoiling and following up the play. 10 kicks, 9 handballs, 19 disposals, 3 marks, 7 tackles, 36 hit outs, 0 goals, 1 behind.

James Strauss - an excellent game in defence and likely to travel to Brisbane to replace the suspended Neville Jetta. 9 kicks, 10 handballs, 19 disposals, 5 marks, 7 tackles, 1 goal, 0 behinds.

Rory Taggert - coming back from a debilitating back injury, Taggert is shoeing slow but definite signs of improvement every week and made an impact up forward with two goals. 10 kicks, 7 handballs, 17 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 2 goals, 2 behinds.

Josh Tynan - another improver who signified his presence in defence. 14 kicks, 6 handballs, 20 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 1 goal, 0 behinds.

Casey Scorpions 4.2.26 11.6.72 19.9.123 25.12.162

Essendon 3.4.22 6.8.44 7.12.54 11.13.79

Goals

Casey Scorpions Hogan 4 Fitzpatrick Page Rodan 3 Best Couch Kearns Taggert 2 Kent Magner Strauss Tynan

Essendon Daniher 4 Bate Duscher 2 Hams Jetta Thompson

Best

Casey Scorpions Rodan Spencer Hogan Riseley McKenzie Magner

Essendon Daniher Hams Hardingham Steinberg Tipungwuti Coghlan

The Casey AFL Development League team overturned their first round defeat to Frankston in a night game at Casey Fields by 52 points with Michael Boland starring.

Casey Scorpions 0.1.1 1.2.8 8.6.54 12.11.83

Frankston 2.3.15 3.5.23 3.5.23 4.7.31

Goals

Casey Scorpions Smith 3 Drew 2 Hughes Jackson McInnes Matthews Meadows Pollard Troutman

Frankston Rennie 2 Farmer Forato

Best

Casey Scorpions Boland Waters Irwin Lindsay Corry Drew

Frankston Cunningham Rennie Jennings Newman Farmer Forato

Hogan must be in serious contention for VFL leading goal-scorer. Has he had a poor game yet?

6th on the VFL goal kicking with a game in hand on 10. Ben warren on 15 is leading

Hogan must be in serious contention for VFL leading goal-scorer. Has he had a poor game yet?

I was thinking the exact same thing, what a springboard for an AFL career he has here.