WELL ACROSS THE LINE by KC from Casey

Posted August 11, 201312 yr

Casey travelled across to Frankston to meet its bayside neighbour and won an unusual encounter by 31 points to take a mortgage on a top four spot with two rounds left to play before the finals.

The sun shone and conditions at ground level looked favourable but the white caps on the waters of Port Phillip Bay in the background signalled that swirly winds would be the order of the day and that they would favour the Kars Street end to which the home side kicked first.

The Dolphins opened with an early goal but Casey replied after a James Magner mark in front. The game never hit any high notes for the rest of the term and became a battle of the defences with the Scorpions controlling the play through the agency of the likes of Luke Tynan, Joel Macdonald, James Sellar, Sam Blease and Neville Jetta. In hindsight, the first term against the wind which saw the Scorpions leading by a point set up their win.

Casey controlled the second quarter but inaccuracy in front of goal saw their half time lead limited to only 24 points while it held Frankston scoreless for the term. Gawn was rucking well and taking marks around the ground while Magner and Rodan were winning the ball at stoppages. Still, the absence of Jesse Hogan was clear and obvious with nobody on the forward line able to take control with the big grab in the packs.

Frankston came out after half time with a steely determination and completely turned the game around. They attacked the goals incessantly and put great pressure on the Casey defence which was forced into costly errors that reaped rewards for the home side that took little time to make up the gap and take a 19 point lead into the final break. They had kicked seven goals three behinds to nothing and had the local crowd full of voice and the Casey team stunned.

What followed was a nine-goal final quarter onslaught by a Casey Scorpions team that was stunned into action after one of its worst quarters of football for the year. Certainly, the wind was an influence but the thought of being tipped out of the top four after such a good start to the season must have come into play. Neville Jetta got them going and goal followed goal. Suddenly, the lead was theirs. By mid-term the Scorps were 7 points up but the Dolphins were still fighting hard.

The killer blow came when Tim Smith intercepted to run straight into goal for his second of the quarter. An altercation followed and a free in front was paid to Nathan Page. The double goal knocked the stuffing out of the home side and Casey finished with two more goals for a 31-point victory which also killed off the Dolphins chances of sneaking into the finals.

Best for the Scorpions was Jetta who defended stoutly early and kicked two crucial final quarter goals at the end. Jimmy Toumpas picked up 25 touches and David Rodan 22.

In the end, it was Casey's desire to work hard and get the hands on the footy first which was lacking in the third quarter but very much evident in the last that got it well across the line.

HOW THE DEMONS FARED

Rohan Bail 10 kicks 8 handballs 18 disposals 4 marks 5 tackles

Dominic Barry 10 kicks 8 handballs 18 disposals 4 marks 1 tackle 1 behind

Sam Blease 14 kicks 6 handballs 20 disposals 6 marks 2 tackles 1 goal 1 behind

Max Gawn 13 kicks 8 handballs 21 disposals 10 marks 2 tackles 34 hitouts 1 behind

Neville Jetta 17 kicks 3 handballs 20 disposals 8 marks 3 tackles 2 goals 2 behinds

Joel Macdonald 16 kicks 5 handballs 21 disposals 8 marks 1 tackle 1 hitout

James Magner 6 kicks 13 handballs 19 disposals 5 marks 6 tackles 2 goals

David Rodan 15 kicks 7 handballs 22 disposals 8 marks 7 tackles 1 goal 1 behind

James Sellar 8 kicks 10 handballs 18 disposals 12 marks 1 hitout 2 goals

Rory Taggert 9 kicks 4 handballs 13 disposals 8 marks 1 tackle

Jimmy Toumpas 18 kicks 7 handballs 25 disposals 8 marks 3 tackles