KC from Casey

Half Time and Casey were scoreless that quarter while Frankston piled on 5 goals 6 behinds to lead by 3 points. It's well nigh on impossible to score against the wind which is blowing straight off Port Phillip Bay. The game's a shocker too! Off to the canteen to see if the hot dogs are better than the standard of football.

Watts didn't kick a goal. He played away from goals and did well. Rohan Bail played for the ressies and he was named their best. Zomer also played in that game and did well kicking 2 goals. In the main game, it's quarter time and Casey kicking with the wind kicked 5.3.33 to 0.0.0 (Robbo 3, Hughes, Silvagni 1). We'll have a better indication by half time because it'sblowing a gale straight down the ground to the Young Street end where Casey was kicking in the first term.

Goal to Robbo.

Addam Maric and Jake Spencer both are out. Players in for Casey include Bell, Cheney, Hughes and Wonaeamirri.

First blood for the Casey/Melbourne alignment with Casey Reserves winning 8.12.60 to Frankston 4.7.31. Conditions are deplorable and I'll have to restrict my reports to save the iphone which is in danger of blowing up.

Particularly nasty weather down at Frankston where the visitors lead the ressies game by six goals but the Dolphins are coming home with the tide and a strong westerly gale force wind.

No appearance this week from Sam Blease. Hopefully, next week. Will try to find out what's happening with Liam Jurrah, perhaps Rude Boy can help? Also next week's game against Coburg at Coburg is the televised game on ABC.

Port hold on to win by win by 4 points but it was a much improved effort on last week for the home side. Casey has played the two teams which most pundits believe will be the competition leaders this season. having gotten them out of the way, the Scorps have another tough assignment against Frankston next week but hopefully, a few more Demon listed players will be coming back from injury to strengthen the team further. Casey Scorpions 0.3 1.7 5.11 9.13 (67) Port Melbourne 2.4 4.5 7.9 10.11 (71) GOALS: Casey Scorpions: Robertson 3 Maric 2 Grimes Moore McGough Jurrah Port Melbourne: Bonaddio 3 Robbins 2 Mullins Dillon Raymond Burstin Smith BEST: Casey Scorpions: Valenti Wall Silvagni Spencer Panozza Robertson Port Melbourne: McGrath Pleming Smith Brewer Dalton Bonaddio REPORTED PLAYERS: Casey Scorpions: B. MaCreadie (Casey) for charging M. Smith (Port Melbourne) during the 3rd quarter Port Melbourne: Nil

Robbo back on - goal. Casey are still 10 points down at the final break 5.11.41 to 7.9.51.

A brilliant goal from Jurrah but the Scorps are still 10 points down and playing catch up football. Robbo has been a non starter so far in the 3rd quarter.

At half time it's been Grimes and Maric standing out with Shane Valenti getting plenty of the football. Casey have been very wasteful up forward and it's a tough slog out here on a cold night. The lights are just adequate but we could do with another bank or two to really light the place up plus a bonfire to keep the punters warm.

The Casey line up for today's game is Peter Faulks, Jack Grimes, Liam Jurrah, Pierce Liddle, Ryan McGough, Ben MaCreadie, Jordie Mckenzie, Tom Mcnamara, Addam Maric, Jarred Matheson, Kyle Matthews ©, Tim Mohr, Matt Moore, Evan Panozza, Russell Robertson, Alex Silvagni (VC), Jake Spencer, Michael Stockdale, Shane Valenti, Beau Vernon, James Wall (VC) and Trent Zomer. WJ was right about Cheney - he's not here tonight and is the emergency for tomorrow's game. He was also correct in saying that Watts kicked only one goal for the ressies. Casey Radio should tune in to Demonland for all their up to date info. The first quarter has been all Port. They dominated a low scoring first quarter to lead at the break 2.4.16 to 0.3.3. In the second quarter, the Scorps have been inaccurate but Robbo just received a pass from Addam Maric for a much needed goal.

In the interests of those whose eyesight is challenged, these are the teams:- Round 1 - Sandringham v Casey Scorpions (Sunday 12 April 2009 at 2:00pm) at Trevor Barker Over, Beach Road, Sandringham Casey Scorpions Backs Waite Silvagni Cheney Half Backs Matthews Wall Taylor Centreline Faulks Valenti McKenzie Half Forwards Jetta Newton Jurrah Forwards Liddle Robertson Maric Followers Meesen Dunn Stockdale Interchange (from) Bolton Collins Creed Jones MaCreadie McGough McLeod Matheson Mohr Scanlon Spencer Zomer Sandringham Backs Howard Gaertner Biddlecombe Half Backs Miles Maguire Clarke Centreline Paterakis Summers Gallagher Half Forwards Heyne Crowe Lynch Forwards Tregear Sautner Clarke Followers McGrath Fisher Armitage Interchange (from) Begley Connors Eddy Garrubba Gilchrist McEvoy Simpkin Waller Round 1 Reserves - Sandringham v Casey Scorpions (Sunday 12 April 2009 at 11:10am) at Trevor Barker Over, Beach Road, Sandringham Backs Whelan Snow Vernon Half Backs Strauss McNamara Panozza Centreline Chivers Collins Maskell Half Forwards Oldmeadow Hughes Bolton Forwards Schrape Moore Virtue Followers Patti Healey Blaser Interchange (from) Hillberge Crespin Mildren Lees Mazurek Terry Clay Williams Sykes Costigan

Casey Scorpions and Sandringham - Seniors and Reserves - HERE

And in the early game Casey had a comfortable win in the wet - 15.5.89 to 8.11.59. Both Tom McNamara and Rhys Healey of the Demons got through the game after long lay offs with injury. The purpose was to get them into stride and they were nursed into the game and interchanged a fair bit. Both would be happy with the way they went - McNamara showing a bit of aggression at times and confronting his Coburg opponents with some strong play.

SCORPIONS GEL WELL by KC from Casey The Casey Scorpions successfully rounded off their pre-season programme in wet and windy conditions at Casey Fields on Sunday with wins for both senior and reserves teams over Coburg. In the main game the visitors opened with the breeze and were first to settle down scoring early goals thanks to the early dominance of their midfield led by former Richmond best and fairest winner Mark Coghlan. The Scorpions struck back however, with John Messen rucking well and this allowed his on ballers to turn the tide. Up forward Russell Robertson, returning from injury was the centre of attention and he didn't let the crowd down. He flew high for a spectacular mark and goaled. Moments later Michael Newton goaled and soon after Robertson unselfishly passed to Newton for his second. Coburg's early start and its wind advantage had been nullified. With the change of ends the Scorpions began to assert their dominance over the game. Meesen was now in control in the ruck duels and Shane Valenti, Addam Maric Kyle Matthews and rookie Jordie McKenzie were getting the ball first out of the middle. James Wall was taking marks around the ground and Queenslander Rohan Bail was winning possessions and giving plenty of drive off half back. The hard work was finished off by some indigenous magic from Northern Territorians Liam Jurrah and Pierce Liddle. Casey enjoyed a five goal lead at the main break after keeping Coburg goalless for the second term. The wind strengthened after the main break as Coburg lifted. There was more urgency in the Tigers' game and they went long and direct. The goals flowed and suddenly they were back in the contest and it was only when they hit the lead that Casey moved to regain some momentum. Lynden Dunn was working hard and he goaled followed by another to David Collins. But Coburg was using the win well and struck back to hold a four point lead at three quarter time. Casey had the last use of the breeze and it was skipper Kyle Matthews who played a fantastic final quarter to bring his team home. Matthews threw himself in for the ball in a great display of leadership and his desperate goal in mid quarter sapped the opposition's resolve. Casey came home with a wet sail to win by 23 points. It certainly appears as if Peter German has the new alignment gelling together well but the first true test will come with the start of the season proper on Sunday when the team kicks things off at Trevor Barker Oval in what promises to be a most interesting start to 2009. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Rohan Bail - accumulated a lot of the ball running off half back in the first half and, whilst a little quieter after half time did enough to convince me that he's not too far away. Lynden Dunn - played well on the ball and impressed when he went forward where he finished off with a couple of goals. Threw himself into every contest as if he had something to prove to club selectors and should get the nod this week. Liam Jurrah - a really special player who will bring excitement and magic to the game. Has a low centre of gravity, can distance himself from his opponent in a nanosecond and can fly for a mark (although he missed a few in the wet and windy conditions). A few weeks off yet but the wait is going to be worthwhile. Addam Maric - clever and skilful, he wasn't really suited by the early heavy going but forced his way into the game as conditions improved. Had an excellent final quarter where he set up some great plays and probably worked his way into Melbourne's team for Port Adelaide next weekend. Jordie McKenzie - a decent effort as an inside player but not as outstanding in past weeks. Still, an interesting prospect who should develop at Casey this year. John Meesen - played the best game I've seen from him last week and was just as good this week. Won the hit outs, marked around the ground and showed out with good hands and was strong in contests. The big question mark is whether he can reproduce that sort of form at a higher level and I think we'll find out in the coming weeks. Michael Newton - went far and wide for a kick and put in a solid performance scoring three goals for the day. Had a few brain fades but seems to be settling down well at Casey. Russell Robertson - stepped straight into the role of the Robbo we know. Took a couple of hangers, kicked a goal, gave one or two away and would have pleased the club with his half a game plus 5 minute cameo in the third quarter before he called it a day. Should be back at Melbourne in 2 to 3 weeks. Shane Valenti - got lots of the ball and was good in the clinches on a day that was tailor made for him. Did nothing however, to suggest he should be elevated off the rookie list at this stage. Trent Zomer - solid for the second week as a defender. Zomer seems better suited there than in attack but will find it a bit of a struggle to replace any of the existing tall backs at Melbourne. Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 9.5.59 11.5.71 16.10.106 Coburg Tigers 4.2.26 4.5.29 11.9.75 12.11.83 Goals Newton 3, Dunn, Jurrah, Liddle 2, Collins, McLeod, Robertson, Silvagni, Stockdale, Valenti, Waite Best Meeson, Bail, Liddle, Dunn, Wall, Matthews

Casey Scorpions 3.2.20 9.5.59 11.5.71 16.10.106 Coburg Tigers 4.2.26 4.5.29 11.9.75 12.11.83 Goals Newton 3, Dunn, Jurrah, Liddle 2, Collins, McLeod, Robertson, Silvagni, Stockdale, Valenti, Waite Best Meeson, Bail, Liddle, Dunn, Wall, Matthews I'll do a little report summing up the game at 6.15pm

A 7 goal qtr to Coburg aided by a strong breeze saw them hit the lead on the siren 11.9.75 to 11.5.71. Robbo's called it a day and a few of the Demons rested for a good part of the qtr. Meesen continued to show strong form in the ruck. Lynden Dunn has been working hard around the ground and took a strong mark for a goal later in the qtr. Kyle Matthews is playing a real captain's game and is getting good support from Shane Valenti.

Casey doing it comfortably. Robbo's been lively and took his second hanger but his pass went astray. Scorps 9.5.59 to Tigers 4.5.29. Goals Liddle, Newton 2, Jurrah, McLeod, Robertson, Valenti, Waite Best for Casey - Bail, Meeson, Robertson, Liddle, Wall

An unselfish handpass from Robbo for Juice's second and it's a goal the difference at qtr time.

A hanger and goal to Robbo one of the few highlights at a wet and windy Casey Fields. Casey 2.2.14 to Coburg 4.2.26. Newton has the other goal.

Casey Scorpions v Coburg Tigers at Casey Fields Sunday 5 April 2009 This is the final practice game before the start of the season proper. Ten Demons have been named in the Casey seniors squad while two are in the reserves. Seniors - game starts at 2:00pm 1 Kyle Matthews © 4 Ben Waite 5 Michael Stockdale 6 Peter Faulkes 7 Nick Scanlon 8 Scott McLeod 11 James Wall (vc) 13 James Taylor 15 Tim Mohr 17 Rian McGough 20 David Collins 22 Ben MaCreadie 24 Pierce Liddle 31 Alex Silvagni (vc) 36 Josh Bolton 38 Kainen Schrape 49 Russell Robertson 51 Liam Jurrah 55 Adam Maric 57 Shane Valenti 61 John Meesen 66 Jordie McKenzie 69 Rohan Bail 70 Michael Newton 77 Trent Zomer 81 Lynden Dunn Reserves - game starts at 11.10am 22 Beau Vernon 3 Ryan Creed 9 Matthew Moore 10 Glenn Chivers 12 Andrew Oldmeadow 14 Evan Panozza 18 Jarred Matheson 19 James Terry 21 Gareth Snow 23 Matt Rosier 25 Wade Lees 26 Gus Patti 27 Cade Maskell 28 Ben McDonald 29 Tim Crespin 30 Luke Williams 32 Clay Illman 33 Terry Mildren 34 Jack Mazurek 37 Jed Costigan 39 Sam Benbow 40 Dean Kelly 41 Aaron Hillberg 42 Scott Virtue 43 Brad Sykes 44 James Blaser Kyle Swinden 71 Rhys Healey 78 Tom McNamara

Frankston 12.15.87 defeated Casey 12.12.84 Ball was going into Casey's forward line as the siren sounded. The Scorpions left their run just a little late. They allowed Frankston to break away to a three goal lead early in the final term. Players like Sylvia, Newton and Valenti all lifted but the team probably didn't deserve to win because of their poor start. Jurrah and Maric sat out the last quarter, the latter being an outside chance of playing AFL in the next couple of weeks. Wall was the best Casey player. We also saw a very good debut from NT's Pierce Liddle who looks to have a promising future. The team missed skipper Matthews as well as Austin Wonaeamirri who pulled out with hamstring soreness.

I can confirm that Aussie is out because of a hamstring strain. Not good news and he'll probably be out for a couple more weeks and then he'll need time at Casey to recover full match fitness. The flip side of that is that Addam Maric is looking very likely as a goal sneak forward. He's clever, he's cheeky, he takes risks and the crowds will love him. I get the feeling that, at this level, he's too quick for some of his teammates but he's looking the goods. The other news is that John Meesen has been controlling the rucks and is getting kicks around the ground in what is easily the best game I've seen him play. I wouldn't say he'll be a dominating footballer at the level above because his opposition ruckman is no world beater. Liam Jurrah now has three goals but still looks to be lacking condition and needs more work before he can be considered for higher honours. Rohan Bail has added a lot of run and is moving well around the ground. Newton and Sylvia are in and out of the game and more is expected if they want to play in top company. Casey kept coming at Frankston and moved to within less than a goal late in the quarter before kicking a goal on the siren to go to a 9.12.66 lead to 8.7.55.

After conceding the first goal of the second quarter, the Scorpions lifted. The comeback from Casey was sparked by a couple of nice goals from Jurrah and a clever goal to Maric who is a class above most of the others on the ground. Newton and Bail got a bit of the ball and Meesen who is improving as the game goes on, won plenty of hit outs. A couple of moves - Zomer is playing down back while Stef Martin is playing forward with the odd run on the ball. Shane Valenti is getting his hands on the footy but is not always effective. The Scorps are getting a bit of drive from newcomer Pierce Liddle from NT. Nick Scanlon looks to be a dangerous player up forward. Peter Faulks and Ben Waite doing well for Casey. A late goal to Frankston sees them holding a 14 point lead - 7.7.49 to Casey 5.5.35