DREAM START AT NIGHT by Ice Station

Led out by new skipper Jack Hutchins, the Scorpions put a very strong team out on the field including 16 AFL listed players. They were expected to be far too strong for the struggling Dolphins who came out full of aggression but that withered early and the home side took advantage to the fullest by increasing their lead at every change despite being short on rotations as a result of three injuries early in the game. 

Jack Trengove's long-awaited return from a two year foot injury was put on hold early after he was concussed in the opening moments by a blow from the opposition skipper which earned him a two match suspension. Worse still was the injury to young ruckman Mitch King who suffered a second ACL injury in three years. Also off the ground by the main break was Jay Kennedy-Harris with a hamstring injury.

Despite losing their ruckman and giving away a huge advantage in height, the Scorpions won the overall ruck duels thanks to the double teaming of Declan Keilty and Cam Pedersen which allowed the team to dominate the stoppages with Alex Neal-Bullen and Angus Brayshaw which, in turn produced plenty of scoring opportunities and a record score for Casey against Frankston. Tim Smith (5 goals) and Sam Weideman (4) were the major recipients.

Boom recruit Christian Petracca who missed last year with a knee reconstruction made an excellent return to the game picking up over 30 touches and kicking two goals and three behinds. It was a good day from a Melbourne perspective with many young players standing out. Jayden Hunt was given a free rein to showcase his pace on the flanks, Oscar McDonald was outstanding in defence and rookies Joel Smith and Mitch White showed plenty of promise and great endeavour. The more mature players in Colin Garland, Viv Michie and Dean Terlich provided the steadiness needed to guide the youngsters even though the game resembled a practice match at times.

The VFL listed contingent also had a very good night with Tim Smith, who missed much of the latter half of 2015, outstanding up forward and James Munro hard in the clinches and a prolific ball getter, as was the dangerous Angus Scott. Declan Keilty underlined his promise in the ruck and around the ground capping the night off with three goals and the skipper was solid when required down back on a night where defenders had things easy due to the poor opposition. Youngster Connor Ambler, as 23rd player, also got into the action and did some nice things and finished with a goal on his debut.

Despite the percentage boosting start it's hard to take away too much from the one sided start to the season and Saturday's curtain raiser against Collingwood (albeit across the road from the MCG) will be a much better test for the flying Scorpions.

Peter Jackson VFL 2016

Casey Scorpions 3.7.25 8.9.57 15.12.102 27.17.179

Frankston 1.2.8. 3.4.22 4.4.28 5.5.35

Goals

Casey Scorpions T Smith 5 Weideman 4 Keilty 3 Brayshaw Michie Pedersen Petracca 2 Ambler Hulett Hunt Scott Terlich White K Wilson

Best

Casey Scorpions 

Brayshaw T Smith Neal-Bullen Petracca Munro Pedersen 

The Casey Scorpions Development League side  was far too strong for its Frankston counterpart winning by 36 points

AFL Victoria Development League

Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 5.5.35 9.8.62 14.12.96

Frankston 1.2.8. 3.4.22 4.4.28 5.5.35

Goals

Casey Scorpions Hannon 5 Baker Batten Briggs Machaya 2 Cox

Best

Casey Scorpions Muir Hannon Pattison D Johnston Gordon Machaya

Statistics

Angus Brayshaw 2 goals 2 behinds 31 disposals 19 kicks 12 handballs 5 marks 8 tackles 139 dream team points