NIGHT CRASH by KC from Casey

[Demonland 64,783]

After recording two strong victories to open their 2016 campaign, the Casey Scorpions crashed down to earth in their match against reigning premier Williamstown at Casey Fields on Saturday night.

The Scorpions matched the strong stand alone Seagulls in the opening quarter but were outplayed in each succeeding quarter to finally succumb by the margin of 44 points. It was a comprehensive victory for the visitors who were smarting from last week's loss at the hands of the Box Hill Hawks. They drove home the advantage of a winning ruck and played with far more precision and purpose whether in defence or when going into attack.

The Scorpions were best served by Jack Trengove and Viv Michie in the midfield, the former serving notice that he is not too far off a return to AFL football after a two-year hiatus with a serious foot injury. Trengove moved well and used the ball with the class that made him a top two draft selection in 2009. Another player drafted in that position, Christian Petracca might not have been as dominant as in the previous two games, but he too showed enough class to suggest that he is not too far away.

The other highlight on a dismal night for Casey was the form in front of goal of Liam Hulett who marked strongly and booted four goals. The solidly built forward is adapting to the pace of the game after missing a lot of football late in his junior days.

Max King was back in the goals with a couple but he and first-game beanpole Oscar McInerney (replacing the injured Declan Keilty who was sorely missed) were no match for the Seagull ruckmen.

The players generally looked flat after two stellar performances and found Williamstown's pressure all over the ground far too much on the night. With AFL numbers down a little from recent weeks, the young side was lacking in overall experience to counter the drive of the Seagulls but are sure to improve as the season progresses.

Another tough encounter beckons next Sunday when Casey takes on Essendon VFL at Windy Hill.

Casey Scorpions 4.1.24 6.2.38 10.2.62 11.4.70

Williamstown 5.2.32 10.4.64 14.10.94 17.12.114

Goals 

Casey Scorpions Hulett 4 Max King Trengove Weideman 2, Grimes

Williamstown Siposs 4 Anastasio Conway Cordy Dunnell Masters 2 Hetherington Meese Sing

Best

Casey Scorpions Trengove Michie Petracca Hulett Max King Munro

Williamstown Wheeler Sullivan Masters Siposs Currie Hetherington

Like their senior counterparts, the Scorpions' development leaguers were overwhelmed by the Seagulls after a competitive opening quarter. They lost by 35 points but were never really in the hunt after the first break. Ed Carr who has had a lengthy lay off with injury was prolific in the early going and is one player likely to stake a claim for a senior berth in the very near future.

Casey Scorpions 3.3.21 5.4.34 9.7.61 10.9.69

Williamstown 3.1.19 9.5.59 12.6.78 16.8.104

Goals

Casey Scorpions Wyatt 2 Anderson Briggs Cox Gains Hannon Johnston Machaya Morris

Williamstown Di Ciero 3 Carr Owen Shultz 2 Bugeja Condon Di Donato Eales Ebinger Johnstone Minogue

Best

Casey Scorpions Wyatt Machaya Morris Briggs Gains D Collis

Williamstown Shultz Carr Owen Minogue Bugeja Buykx-Smith

Statistics

Colin Garland 22 disposals 15  kicks 7 handballs 7 marks 4 tackles 94 dream team points

Jack Grimes 1 goal 22 disposals 6 kicks 16 handballs 4 marks 5 tackles 80 dream team points

Liam Hulett 4 goals 1 behind 7 disposals 6 kicks 1 handballs 3 marks 48 dream team points

Max King 2 goals 11 disposals 6 kicks 5 handballs 2 marks 4 tackles 25 hit outs 88 dream team points

Viv Michie 27 disposals 19 kicks 8 handballs 6 marks 2 tackles 94 dream team points

Ben Newton 20 disposals 12 kicks 8 handballs 4 marks 4 tackles 74 dream team points

Christian Petracca 23 disposals 11 kicks 12 handballs 6 marks 3 tackles 4 hit outs 89 dream team points

Billy Stretch 20 disposals 13 kicks 7 handballs 1 marks 11 tackles 99 dream team points

Dean Terlich 21 disposals 14 kicks 7 handballs 6 marks 9 tackles 91 dream team points

Jack Trengove 2 goals 30 disposals 14 kicks 16 handballs 4 marks 10 tackles 140 dream team points

Sam Weideman 2 goals 10 disposals 5 kicks 5 handballs 5 marks 1 tackle 56 dream team points

Mitch White 18 disposals 11 kicks 7 handballs 4 marks 4 tackles 73 dream team points