PORT SIDE SMASHED by K C from Casey

[Demonland 73,106]

The Casey Scorpions overcame wet and greasy conditions and a persistent opponent in Port Melbourne to remain perched on top of the VFL ladder as the halfway mark of the season approaches. The 35 point win over the Borough was by no means convincing but it was a testament to the superior fitness and a determined final quarter effort that has characterized the team's season to date.

Casey dominated the opening term and though wasteful in front of goals, it held a handy 15 point lead at quarter time. Port scored its first goal of the match early in the second term but the Scorps maintained their grip on the game and their inaccuracy until an unexpected burst of three goals from the visitors saw them grab the lead in the shadows of half time.

The condition were dark and grey and the home side was far from convincing after the main break with the Borough scoring the first goal to make it four on end and threatening to take control of the game. A few individual efforts from the Scorps kept them in the game but when Port kicked successive goals to go to an eight point lead, the danger signals were out. A late goal against the flow saw them go into the final huddle three points in arrears and with a real game in their hands.

Coach Justin Plapp's call to arms got the desired result as his charges took a stranglehold on the game with an emphatic six goals three behinds to a solitary point in the next half hour. Fittingly, it was two of the day's dominant players, one small and one tall, who each scored two goals that drove the momentum in their team's favour. Ben Kennedy who was busy all day and started with fourteen touches on the way to a 30 possession and three goal game showed that he was up to taking on his old club in the coming Queens Birthday Blockbuster while Port had no answer to big Jake Spencer in the ruck and he drove the nail into the coffin with those strong goals in the last.In the end Port was smashed.

Other Demon listed players to impress were midfielders Ben Newton and Viv Michie while Jack Grimes' experience around the ground was invaluable. The Scorps were well served by skipper Jack Hutchins and promising Declan Keilty in defence and unearthed another youngster in second-gamer Dylan Collis. 

If there was a dark cloud on the horizon it was the injury to Lynden Dunn who left the field early with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

Casey comes up next against an improving Collingwood in what has become a traditional game on the Saturday of Queens Birthday weekend. The Magpies sit in fifth spot on the ladder and that must have been behind the decision of the Seven Network to televise the game - Casey's first for the season. 

Casey Scorpions 2.6.18 3.9.27 6.11.47 12.14.86

Port Melbourne 0.3.3 4.4.28 7.8.50 7.9.51

Goals 

Casey Scorpions Kennedy 3 Hulett Spencer Terlich 2 Michie Pattison Weideman 

Port Melbourne Scipione 4 Sandilands 2 Rivett

Best

Casey Scorpions Kennedy Hutchins Keilty Spencer Hulett Michie

Port Melbourne Crocker Haretuku, Mascitti Sandilands Dickson L Tynan

Statistics

 

Lynden Dunn 6 disposals 3 kicks 3 handballs 2 tackles 20 dream team points [injured]

Jack Grimes 25 disposals 13 kicks 12 handballs 4 marks 15 tackles 137 dream team points

Liam Hulett 2 goals 13 disposals 8 kicks 5 handballs 6 marks 2 tackles 69 dream team points

Max King 1 behind 10 disposals 7 kicks 3 handballs 3 marks 5 tackles 11 hit outs 68 dream team points

Matt Jones 11 disposals 7 kicks 4 handballs 3 marks 6 tackles 59 dream team points

Ben Kennedy 3 goals 2 behinds 30 disposals 19 kicks 11 handballs 9 tackles 139 dream team points

Jay Kennedy-Harris 1 behind 11 disposals 5 kicks 6 handballs 8 tackles 60 dream team points

Viv Michie 1 goal 21 disposals 14 kicks 7 handballs 5 marks 4 tackles 90 dream team points

Alex Neale-Bullen 22 disposals 9 kicks 13 handballs 2 marks 6 tackles 77 dream team points

Ben Newton 30 disposals 9 kicks 21 handballs 13 tackles 110 dream team points

Cam Pedersen 1 behind 12 disposals 6 kicks 6 handballs 4 marks 8 tackles 6 hit outs 82 dream team points

Jake Spencer 2 goals 1 behind 11 disposals 7 kicks 4 handballs 3 marks 6 tackles 47 hit outs 121 dream team points

Dean Terlich 2 goals 1 behind disposals 13 kicks 6 handballs 3 marks 6 tackles 94 dream team points

Sam Weideman 1 goal 2 behinds 12 disposals 5 kicks 7 handballs 3 marks 1 tackles 49 dream team points

Mitch White 1 behind 25 disposals 13 kicks 12 handballs 6 marks 2 tackles 90 dream team points

 

The Development League team lost a hard fought, high scoring game by 21 points.

Casey Scorpions   2.3.15 5.6.36 10.8.68 14.11.95 

Port Melbourne   2.1.13 7.3.45 13.8.86 18.8.116 

Goals

Casey Scorpions Baker 3 Freeman Wilson 2 Ambler Briggs Cotte Lovett McInerney MacHaya Muir

Port Melbourne Hogan 6 Beddison 3 Toman Williams 2 Hogan Osborne Pearson Spencer Urban

Best 

Casey Scorpions Daniel Johnston Moncrieff Lovett Muir Wilson McInerney

Port Melbourne Toman Spencer Urban Hogan Osborne Beddison