The game between two of the VFL's leading teams Casey and Williamstown was strongly influenced by Mother Nature and the strong winds she conjured up that swept across Casey Fields on Saturday night.

The angry conditions that resulted provided a suitable backdrop to the Scorpions' theme for the night which was to support the White Ribbon Campaign against violence on women and the club deserves accolades for its involvement in such a worthy cause.

It was fitting therefore that the home team would ultimately triumph against the elements and the opposition through hard work, particularly when defending against the strong breeze. The team managed only three goals against the wind but every one of them was significant in terms of the final outcome in a game where subtle changes of direction were significant.

The Scorpions came out of the blocks with all guns blazing. With Jake Spencer winning in the ruck and feeding a hungry midfield, the team racked up the goals and had four on the board by mid term through the agency of Chris Dawes, Jesse Hogan, a long bomb from Lynden Dunn and one from Rory Taggert. The visitors then settled defensively and managed to contain the damage to a couple of points for the rest of the term. Casey's cause was not helped when Hogan incurred a knock and left the field with a corkie. His night had ended and, from the team's point of view, the feeling was that a 26 point lead was hardly enough in these conditions.

Sure enough, Williamstown wasted no time when its chances came to reel in the Casey advantage by halfway through the second quarter. The Scorpions were facing the possibility of a major half time deficit when, against the run of play, their other young West Australian Dean Kent, produced the highlight of the night. He gathered the ball in defence and ran like the wind that was blowing into his face. Several bounces later, he kicked truly to regain the lead and lift the spirits of his team. The Seagulls struck back but late in the quarter, Jack Fitzpatrick scored a handy goal to make it a two point deficit at the half.

As they have done for most of this season the Scorpions turned on their best football in the third quarter. Fitzpatrick was again to the fore booting three further goals to add to the one he scored just before half time to ensure that his team would be defending a lead in excess of five goals in the final term.

Casey closed the game down and with the visitors managing only a few points in the first half of the term, Danny Nicholls and Jake Best combined well for a goal to put the game beyond doubt. Willi managed a couple of late goals but could do nothing to prevent their hosts from moving to the top of the ladder with a well deserved 23 point victory.

Nathan Page was the best of the Casey listed players. Luke Tynan was another who worked hard all night. Lynden Dunn was the star off half back.

Casey Scorpions 4.4.28 6.5.41 13.8.86 14.8.92

Williamstown 0.2.2 6.7.43 7.10.52 9.15.69

Goals

Casey Scorpions Fitzpatrick 4 Dawes Dunn Taggert 2 Best Hogan Kent Page

Williamstown Cordy 3 Nastasi 2 Addison Grant Howard McCallum

Best

Casey Scorpions Dunn Couch Fitzpatrick Magner Page Spencer

Williamstown Markovic Lockwood Addison Cordy Wood Sing

The development league team came up against ladder leader Williamstown who were far too strong and ran away with the game in a frenetic final quarter to win by 69 points. Josh Tynan was Casey's best.

Casey Scorpions 2.4.16 3.5.23 7.12.54 7.12.54

Williamstown 2.1.13 10.4.64 11.4.70 19.9.123

Goals

Casey Scorpions Hughes 2 Barry McInnes McPhie Pollard Smith

Williamstown Ball Coneay Deery 3 Anastasio Burgess 2 Giles Hetherington McConnon Norton Polizzi Williams

Best

Casey Scorpions Tynan Hill Troutman Pollard Hughes Lindsay

Williamstown Hoghton Hetherington Giles Dorgan Deery Casley

Thanks for that summary, the VFL gameday thread got hijacked.

At least Casey are stringing some wins together...