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NORTHERN EXPOSURE by KC from Casey The Casey Scorpions have retained top spot on the 2012 Peter Jackson VFL ladder despite a disappointing 40 point home ground defeat at the hands of the lowly Northern Blues. The Scorpions were forced to make a number of changes to last week's winning line up losing Jordan Gysberts, Cale Morton and Luke Tapscott to the AFL. They also missed key players in ball magnet Tom Couch, who has been in exceptional form in the midfield, the versatile Ricky Petterd and the much improved Michael Riseley and were unfortunate enough at the same time to come up against a side in good form and bolstered by the return of several AFL players of their own. Sunshine and a tricky breeze greeted the players and despite the bright conditions it was a scrappy start with both sides making ball handling errors and poor decisions. It took until the 12 minute mark for the Blues to register their first goal and, after a couple of misses from close in by Jack Fitzpatrick, a major to Tim Smith gave the home side the lead for what was to be the only time for the afternoon. The game remained an arm wrestle until the Blues goaled at the 24 minute mark to take a five point lead and the floodgates opened with three more to the visitors opening up a handy 23 point lead at the first break. The second quarter was mainly a battle of defences but the Blues were winning the stoppages and had a far more open forward line. They skipped away to a 38 point lead with two goals in mid term with Casey struggling to get the ball past half forward. Leigh Williams got his team's first score for the quarter with a goal at the 22minute mark but the Northerners responded and were in complete control at half time. Honours were roughly even after the main break with Casey unable to reel in the Blues' big lead as the teams went goal for goal. The Scorps were able to get some more drive from the middle where Michael Evans was boring in and Matthew Bate worked hard to shrug off his tag. Evans provided one of the game's highlights with two bounces as he ran through the corridor to boot a long goal late in the quarter but his team was still trailing badly. The game opened up considerably in the final term with both sides kicking six goals but there was to be no rousing comeback for the Scorpions as there had been in their last home game against the Borough. Gus Patti who has been at Casey for a few years but played only his second senior game last week, put in an excellent game picking up 18 disposals and taking several strong marks mainly in a defence that struggled to contain its opposition forwards under the weight of an opposition that was constantly pumping the ball forward. Luke Hill showed a great deal of promise as did Leigh Williams with his three goals for the day. Fitzpatrick who had a big day out last week lowered his colours in the ruck duels but worked hard around the ground. The team hosts Geelong next Sunday and will be hoping for the return of several players from its injured list as the Cats are a much improved combination to the one which Casey easily accounted for earlier in the season. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Matthew Bate (16 kicks, 9 handballs, 4 marks, 9 tackles) - given that he was ill during the week and was tagged during the game, it was a fair effort from Bate. Not outstanding but a solid performance that would not rule him out of promotion for next weekend's game. Michael Evans (11 kicks, 4 handballs, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 1 goal) - put in a solid game and had a purple patch after half time boring into packs and moving the ball to his team's advantage. Also kicked a great running goal during the third quarter. Lucas Cook (7 kicks, 2 handballs, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 2 goals) - kicked a couple of goals but didn't exert himself on the game nearly enough. Troy Davis (7 kicks, 5 handballs, 3 marks) - it was a tough day for the Casey defenders but Davis had his moments. Jack Fitzpatrick (6 kicks, 3 handballs, 3, mark, 2 tackles, 2, goals) - beaten in the ruck by the bigger bodied Meese who had more than 50 hit outs. Fitzpatrick had 26, kicked a couple of goals and missed a couple more chances early in the game. Josh Tynan (2 Kicks, 3 handballs, 1 mark, 2 tackles) - only played in the first half and was quiet. Leigh Williams (8 kicks, 2 handballs, 5 marks, 1 tackle, 3 goals 2 behinds) - did his best work in the second half and did well to finish with three goals. Casey Scorpions 1.3.9 2.4.16 7.7.49 13.10.88 Northern Blues 5.2.32 8.5.53 14.6.90 20.8.128 Goals Casey Scorpions Williams 3 Cook Fitzpatrick Petropoulos 2 Evans Fieldsend Hill Smith Northern Blues Mitchell Thornton 5 Ellard O'Keeffe 3 Dale Marcon Thomas Wilson Best Casey Scorpions Patti Bate Hill Smith Williams McGough Northern Blues Marcon Ellard Meese Lambert Heyne Watson Disposals Bate 25 Pollard 19 Patti 18 Gent 16 Casey jumped North Ballarat in the development league game kicking eight goals to nil with the wind in the opening term and ran out easy winners by 36 points. HOW THE DEMON FARED Jai Sheahan (9 kicks, 3 marks, 1 goal) - has struggled with injury and lost form after a promising first half of the season. Casey Scorpions 8.4.52 10.9.69 14.11.95 17.16.118 North Ballarat 0.1.1 3.4.22 5.8.38 12.10.82 Goals Casey Scorpions Lang 4 Chin Cleven Galvin Lindsay 2 Eddy McInnes Sheahan Thompson Troutman North Ballarat Craig 3 Links Nicholls 2 Brayshaw Hansford Jones Kiel Peel Best Casey Scorpions Cleven Nicholls Roberts Lang Lindsay Troutman North Ballarat Currie Edwards Struth Anderson Nicholls Watson