THE CASEY AVENGERS by KC from Casey

 The Casey Scorpions avenged their loss in last year's VFL Elimination Final and took second place on the competition ladder following a solid 17 point victory against Essendon VFL in blustery conditions at Windy Hill on Sunday. 

The Scorpions were given a boost when they won the toss and kicked with the advantage of a strong wind and, but for some wayward kicking for goal, could have had the game wrapped up much earlier. They led 4.8.32 to 2.0.12 at quarter time with a winning midfield despite the early loss of Angus Brayshaw who suffered a heavy knock to the head. 

The Bombers regrouped when their turn to kick with the advantage of the wind but they were held back for a significant part of the second term until a late surge saw them back in the game with a deficit of only four points at the main break. The Scorpions were held scoreless for the term.

Casey's midfield led by Jack Trengove whose ability was acknowledged by a heavy tag throughout the afternoon, rookie Viv Michie and youngster Clayton Oliver and the brilliant Billy Stretch who proved a handful with his pace and skills. As a result, the Scorpions were able to draw away from the Bombers in the vital third term with five goals to a solitary major for the home side to set up a 30 point lead at the final break. 

The Scorpion defence successfully closed the Bombers down for most of the final term forcing them wide and keeping them down to just two goals with Ben Newton's goal after a 50 metre penalty in mid quarter virtually sealing the game.

The standouts for the visitors were Oliver with 29 disposals and 16 tackles (who belied the decision to keep him out of the Melbourne line up after being managed by resting last week), Trengove with 28 touches and the prolific Michie (33 possessions) while Colin Garland, Mitch White and Oscar McDonald put their hands up to shore up the Demons' defence. Liam Hulett continued to show promise as a potential forward line partner for Jesse Hogan.

Of the Casey listed players James Munro ran hard and collected 22 touches and Kody Wilson, though quiet for most of the afternoon, sparked the side with two vital third quarter goals.

The team returns to Casey Fields for its first daytime home fixture next Sunday against the Northern Blues.

Casey Scorpions 4.8.32 4.8.32 9.11.65 10.11.71

Essendon VFL 2.0.12 4.4.28 5.5.35 7.12.54

Goals

Casey Scorpions Newton K Wilson 2 Garland Hulett Max King Michie Neal-Bullen Spencer

Essendon VFL J Langford 2 Kommer McKernan McNiece J Merrett Thompson

Best

Casey Scorpions  Michie Trengove Hulett Garland Spencer T Smith

Essendon VFL Grima Coghlan Jamar Ambrose McNiece Redman

Statistics

Angus Brayshaw 3 disposals 1 kicks 2 handballs 2 tackles 15 dream team points [injured]

Colin Garland 1 goal 18 disposals 14 kicks 4 handballs 4 marks 4 tackles 81 dream team points

Jack Grimes 23 disposals 11 kicks 12 handballs 5 tackles 74 dream team points

Liam Hulett 1 goal 1 behind 15 disposals 13 kicks 2 handballs 7 marks 71 dream team points

Max King 1 goal 2 behinds 13 disposals 6 kicks 7 handballs 3 marks 3 tackles 8 hit outs 63 dream team points

Oscar McDonald 1 behind disposals 10 kicks 9 handballs 6 marks 1 tackles 71 dream team points

Viv Michie 1 goal 1 behind 33 disposals 19 kicks 14 handballs 4 marks 99 dream team points

Alex Neal-Bullen 1 goal 1 behind 19 disposals 7 kicks 12 handballs 3 marks 5 tackles 1 hit out 73 dream team points

Ben Newton 2 goals 3 behinds 21 disposals 10 kicks 11 handballs 3 marks 7 tackles 105 dream team points

Clayton Oliver 29 disposals 8 kicks 21 handballs 3 marks 16 tackles 1 hit out 131 dream team points

Jake Spencer 1 goal 11 disposals 4 kicks 7 handballs 4 marks 2 tackles 22 hit outs 75 dream team points

Billy Stretch 1 behind disposals kicks handballs marks tackles 93 dream team points

Dean Terlich 19 disposals 12 kicks 7 handballs 4 marks 1 tackle 66 dream team points

Jack Trengove 28 disposals 8 kicks 20 handballs 3 marks 9 tackles 108 dream team points

Mitch White 22 disposals 11 kicks 11 handballs 3 marks 7 tackles 92 dream team points

Matt Jones did not play

The Casey Development League team had a bye.