SCRAP by KC from Casey

The game against Collingwood VFL at Casey Fields was without doubt the Casey Scorpions' worst performance for the year. In fact, it was the among the club's worst in VFA/VFL history - a game in which it recorded its lowest ever score of 2.7.19 which is three points less than the 3.4.22 it recorded against North Ballarat in 2004 when it was known as Springvale.

The conditions were not by any means conducive to good football; the ground was heavy under foot, it rained intermittently, the wind swirled around from time to time and it was freezing cold in between the times when the sun peered through the watery clouds. Perfect conditions for a good, old fashioned scrap.

Casey was first into attack but when a kick across the ground presented an easy mark in front of goals to Matt Jones but was dropped, the tone of the day was set. The Magpies pushed the ball forward and recorded two goals in five minutes. The Scorpions took until well into time on (24½ minutes) of the opening quarter to record their first score - a goal to Ben Newton and the game remained pretty much in the balance until well into the third term before the home side eventually capitulated in the face of a four goal final term from the visitors. Casey's second and only other goal for the day came 10 minutes into that quarter and by that time it was a case of too little, too late.

The team was only a shadow of the one that has taken almost all before it this season, despite a preeminent exhibition of ruck work that saw Jake Spencer amass the outstanding number of 82 hit outs. Unfortunately, for Casey this domination did not translate into the advantage that number would normally bring a team. The conditions and the congestion of the close in tight packs and the determination and discipline of the Magpie midfield saw to that.

Both teams struggled with their marking, disposal and ball handling but, as the result suggested, Collingwood was so much better on the day and their defence reigned supreme nullifying Casey's normal marking strength up forward.

Down back, the Scorps' skipper Jack Hutchins continued on his good form and he was assisted by Declan Keilty. Mitch White was steady as usual and Newton had his moments.

The Casey on-ballers who usually produce big numbers were not as effective as usual with their ball use and, as a result, their team rarely opened the game up to the swift free-flowing movement that has been characteristic of their 2016 season to date.

Next week, the team will have to regroup in another place not usually known for hospitable conditions at this time of year - North Ballarat.

Casey Scorpions 1.0.6 1.2.8 1.5.11 2.7.19

Collingwood VFL 2.2.14 3.2.20 4.8.32 8.11.59

Goals

Casey Scorpions Newton T Smith

Collingwood VFL Cloke 2 Aish Collopy Ferguson Gault Knight Smith

Best

Casey Scorpions Keilty Michie Hutchins Garland Spencer White

Collingwood VFL Aish Smith Cloke Oxley Howe Wills

The Development League team sat it out this week due to a bye.

Statistics

Colin Garland 14 disposals 12 kicks 2 handballs 2 marks 3 tackles 55 dream team points
Jeff Garlett 8 disposals 4 kicks 4 handballs 7 tackles 46 dream team points
Jack Grimes 14 disposals 12 kicks 2 handballs 2 marks 9 tackles 82 dream team points
Liam Hulett 1 behind 8 disposals 5 kicks 3 handballs 6 tackles 46 dream team points
Max King 10 disposals 5  kicks 5 handballs 1 mark 6 tackles 10 hit outs 61 dream team points
Matt Jones 27 disposals 15 kicks 12 handballs 3 marks 8 tackles 92 team points
Viv Michie 23 disposals 17 kicks 6 handballs 1 mark 4 tackles 84 dream team points
Alex Neale-Bullen 18 disposals 11 kicks 7 handballs 6 tackles 71 dream team points
Ben Newton 1 goal 17 disposals 9 kicks 8 handballs 7 tackles 2 hit outs 84 dream team points
Cam Pedersen 1 behind 10 disposals 6 kicks 4 handballs 1 mark 7 tackles 6 hit outs 59 dream team points
Jake Spencer 10 disposals 9 kicks 1 handball 2 marks 7 tackles 82 hit outs 142 dream team points
Dean Terlich 9 disposals 5 kicks 4 handballs 1 mark 4 tackles 33 dream team points
Mitch White 1 behind 19 disposals 7 kicks 12  handballs 1 mark 10 tackles 86 dream team points