GORILLA IN THE MIST by KC from Casey

[Demonland 65,441]

The scene on entering the Casey Fields sporting complex was surreal. The entire area was covered in a blanket of mist; there was no movement at all and yet, a feeling of expectation hung over the crispy, cold early afternoon air.

The Casey Scorpions ran out wearing their old, traditional Springvale Football Club jumper. Their opponents were somewhat incongruously dressed in the Preston red of old prompting the question as to why they are now called the Blues? As the teams ran onto the ground, there was a feeling that something special was about to happen.

It wasn't as if young rising star Jesse Hogan announced himself to the football world with his six goal performance that highlighted Casey's 28-point victory. The powerfully built forward had already done that in his days as a junior, having made the AFL Under 18 All Australian team with a year left in those ranks. He had already kicked five goals earlier in the season against Geelong VFL. On this day however, he displayed all of his attributes as a player of enormous promise in front of a big audience on ABC TV and he stood out, literally like a gorilla in the mist.

The youngster kicked the first two goals of the game, took strong contested grabs, finished with 23 possessions and 10 marks, crashed through packs, led with acceleration and monstered AFL credentialed opponents. Even as he strutted his stuff in the lifting fog of a still rustic tree lined oval in Cranbourne, all eyes were trained on the big amphitheater 45 kilometres away where he will soon ply his trade.

The game wasn't all about Hogan. The Scorpions, with their midfield dominant, raced away to score the opening three goals of the game before the accurate Blues scraped their way back into the game and, for a brief while, wrested the lead away from their hosts. However, that was merely the signal for the Scorps to get on their bikes and push out to a 16-point lead at the final break before cruising to a 13.14 (92) to 9.10 (64) victory.

The defence led by Cam Petersen (8 marks), skipper Evan Panozza, the Tynan brothers and an improving James Strauss held sway and the midfield dominated despite the presence of Carlton's Carazzo and Bell among the opposition. James Magner collected 29 possessions, Danny Nicholls 27 and Tom Couch was close behind with 26. The improving Mitch Gent played his role with 22 touches.

Local district cricket captain Jake Best was dangerous with two goals as was Luke Tapscott who also chipped in with two of his own. Rory Taggert is shrugging off his injury woes and was busy, particularly at the end.

The VFL's split round gives the Scorpions a week's break and affords coach Rohan Welsh time to plan his team's run into the finals knowing he has some potent weapons to help conduct the campaign ahead.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Rohan Bail 1 kick 2 handballs 3 disposals 1 mark

Dominic Barry 4 kicks 9 handballs 13 disposals 2 marks 7 tackles

Tom Couch 10 kicks 16 handballs 26 disposals 5 marks 4 tackles

Troy Davis 9 kicks 9 handballs 18 disposals 7 marks 4 tackles 2 hit outs 1 goal 3 behinds

Tom Gillies 7 kicks 7 handballs 14 disposals 3marks

Jesse Hogan 17 kicks 6 handballs 23 disposals 10 marks 3 tackles 6 goals 2 behinds

Neville Jetta 5 kicks 8 handballs 1 3 disposals 1 mark 3 tackles 1 hit out 1 behind

James Magner 17 kicks 12 handballs 29 disposals 3 marks 4 tackles

Cam Pedersen 11 kicks 11 handballs 22 disposals 8 marks 4 tackles

James Strauss 10 kicks 13 handballs 23 disposals 5 marks 2 handballs

Rory Taggert 10 kicks 4 handballs 14 disposals 7 marks 5 tackles 1 goal

Luke Tapscott 14 kicks 4 handballs 18 disposals 3 marks 2 goals

Josh Tynan 14 kicks 10 handballs 24 disposals 4 marks 2 goals

Casey Scorpions 3.3.21 6.6.42 10.9.69 13.14.92

Northern Blues 2.0.12 6.0.36 8.5.53 9.10.64

Goals

Casey Scorpions Hogan 6 Best Tapscott 2 Davis Smith Taggert

Northern Blues Warnock Wilson 2 Buckley Laidler Lincoln Mitchell Rowe

Best

Casey Scorpions Hogan Strauss Pedersen Gent Nicholls Tapscott

Northern Blues Meese McInnes Wilson Graham Duigan Carrazzo

The AFL Victoria Development League team won by a comfortable 27 points in a low scoring game in the curtain raiser. The fourth placed Northern Blues were kept goalless in the second half.

Casey Scorpions 4.1.25 5.4.34 5.7.37 7.10.52

Northern Blues, 2.0.12 3.3.21 3.5.23 3.7.25

Goals

Casey Scorpions Fowler 4 Boland Lang Riseley

Northern Blues Dorman 2 Dirago

Best

Casey Scorpions Troutman Roberts Lang Fusinato Boland Fowler

Northern Blues McDonald Dirago Cattapan Gleeson Currie Posar

[dpositive 1,547]

Another excellent literary piece from you KC and thanks for all the updates and comments.

I did get to see some of the match on TV yesterday and can understand why you have such a positive emotional output. The Scorps are playing well and have many aspects to be positive about.

There is no doubt you cannot get the full effect from the screen and I do appreciate your broader insight and the expression of emotion that is displayed with the immeadiacy of your reports.

I hope the club keeps providing you with the moments to savour and that you can continue to pass on to us isolated supporters the joys of being there.