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The Casey Scorpions' 2015 season came to an abrupt end today with a 21 point first elimination final loss against Essendon VFL at North Port Oval after a poor start kicking against the wind in the first term. The first five minutes of the game produced some scrambly football that resulted in a single point for each team. Casey had its opportunities early but gave away the ascendency with two goals that were directly as a result of turnovers which lifted the confidence of their opponents and quickly allowed four more to give them a 37 point break before a fantastic kick for goal from James Munro, his first for the season, gave the Scorpions some hope. When Casey's turn came with the wind, their fortunes turned quickly with Jayden Hunt playing on after a mark and when Jack Fitzpatrick, who was moved from defence, gathered and kicked Casey's third in a row, they were back in the game. The Scorps were applying great pressure and winning at the stoppages thanks to Mark Jamar's strong work in the ruck and big Max King was marking everything but they struggled to take advantage of the quarter's early momentum until they drew to within two goals in the shadows of half time thanks to a bouncing goal from Shannon Byrnes. The third quarter saw the wind blowing more across the ground in favour of the Bombers but the Scorpions were not to be denied. Unfortunately, they failed to capitalise on some early opportunities missing two early shots. Casey tried hard to gain the initiative as they game opened up and went goal for goal with goals from Essendon answered successively by Fitzpatrick, King and Tim Smith who was at last proving a focal point up forward. However, a late goal gave the Bombers a 15 point lead at the final break. The swirling wind now made things difficult for scoring at either end and the Bombers closed the game down. Try as they might, the Scorpions simply could not break through for a goal to bring them within distance and late in the term, it was the Bombers who scored the telling goal and the only one for the quarter to run out 21 point winners and advance to the semi finals. Midfielders Aidan Riley (30 touches) and Rohan Bail (26) were Casey's best but an honourable mention must go to speedster Dean Kent (22 disposals) who has only recently come back from a serious hamstring injury which kept him out for most of the season. Jordie McKenzie was tireless and Dean Terlich was steady and dogged while Jamar won the ruck duels clearly with a mammoth 64 hit outs but in the end it did not help the cause to have only 9 AFL senior listed players available for such a vital game. Mark Hutchins and Tim Smith were the best of the VFL listed players but again the Scorpions badly missed injured skipper Evan Panozza. Despite the disappointment of yet another finals exit without victory, Justin Plapp's debut season as coach was a marked improvement on last year and the club unearthed more talent which should hold it in good stead in the future. 2015 Peter Jackson VFL Casey Scorpions 1.1.7 4.3.27 7.6.48 7.8.50 Essendon VFL 6.2.38 6.4.40 9.9.63 10.11.71 Goals Casey Scorpions Fitzpatrick 2 Byrnes Hunt King Munro Smith Essendon VFL Hardingham 3 Thompson Willis 2 Ashby Coghlan Polkinghorne Best Casey Scorpions Bail Jamar Hutchins Riley Byrnes Kent Essendon VFL Coghlan Polkinghorne Tagliabue Hardingham Marigliani Ashby Statistics Rohan Bail 26 disposals 10 kicks 16 handballs 3 marks 4 tackles 88 dream team points Jack Fitzpatrick 2 goals 11 disposals 5 kicks 6 handballs 4 marks 4 tackles 4 hit outs 71 dream team points Jayden Hunt 1 goal 7 disposals 4 kicks 3 handballs 1 mark 3 tackles 40 dream team points Mark Jamar 9 disposals 7 kicks 2 handballs 3 marks 3 tackles 64 hit outs 105 dream team points Matt Jones 27 disposals 10 kicks 17 handballs 5 tackles 78 dream team points Dean Kent 1 behind 22 disposals 15 kicks 7 handballs 3 marks 7 tackles 99 dream team points Max King 1 goal 15 disposals 7 kicks 8 handballs 9 marks 2 tackles 7 hit outs 85 dream team points Jordie McKenzie 32 disposals 9 kicks 23 handballs 2 marks 5 tackles 90 dream team points Aidan Riley 2 behinds 30 disposals 11 kicks 19 handballs 1 mark 12 tackles 1 hit out 121 dream team points Dean Terlich 19 disposals 11 kicks 8 handballs 2 marks 4 tackles 1 hit out 73 dream team points The Development League team struggled throughout the year when it met Coburg Lions and today was no different with the team going down by 43 points in their elimination final. 2015 AFL Development League Casey Scorpions 3.0.18 4.5.29 8.7.55 10.8.68 Coburg Lions 3.1.19 9.5.59 11.7.73 17.9.111 Goals Casey Scorpions Fisscher Moncrieff 2 Hannon Lang Rennie Welsh K Wilson Wyatt Coburg Lions Cooper 4 Hemala Miles 2 Clarke Hunt Johns Kalanj Posar Robinson Sturgess Symes Totino Best Casey Scorpions Johnson Waters Keilty Godfrey Rosier Lang Coburg Lions Robinson Johns Symes Cooper Posar Sturgess

THREE IN A ROW FOR THE SCORPIONS by KC from Casey The Casey Scorpions produced one of their finest performances in recent years when they led all the way to record an 82-point win against Essendon at Windy Hill on Saturday. Before the game, most of the experts agreed that we were in for a close, hard fought game and this was certainly the case in the entertaining opening stanza. The Scorpions kicked the first three goals, two of them to elusive young small man Nathan Page but the Bombers came back to narrow the margin to a mere four points at the first break. With its midfield dominant, Casey bounded away in the second term as it rained goals. By half time, the visitors had opened up a 28 point lead and looked the goods. Jake Spencer (37 hitouts and six tackles) was dominant in the ruck and he was ably assisted by Jack Fitzpatrick, back from a bout of concussion, who kicked 3 goals and had 17 hitouts. Jordie McKenzie, David Rodan and James Magner were all prominent along with Rory Taggert who has missed so much football after his long layoff due to a back problem. Michael Riseley returned to the senior team with a solid four quarter performance. After the break, Casey continued to dominate all over the ground. Young sensation, Jesse Hogan who had been impressive with his strong marking and clever play, scored two quick goals setting off the scoring avalanche. By three quarter time, the visitors had 19 goals on the board and held an unassailable 69 point lead which was stretched further into a trouncing by the end of the day. Fans at the ground were treated to a glimpse of the future with Hogan and Essendon's Joe Daniher both demonstrating great raw potential. Both players scored four goals but Hogan is a year younger than the Bomber and cannot make his AFL debut until next year. He was excellent on the ground and in the air and finished with 19 disposals. Casey returns to home territory with a Saturday night clash against league leaders Williamstown. The two sides featured in a memorable game under lights to kick off the season last year and next weeks clash shows all the signs of more to come. HOW THE DEMONS FARED Sam Blease - has a good turn of speed and used it to advantage on the wing for Casey. 11 kicks, 5 handballs, 16 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle. Mitch Clisby - played well in defence and got lots of the ball. He cleared the ball out of defence crisply and mostly to the team's advantage. 11 kicks, 10 handballs, 21 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles. Tom Couch - had his usual busy day in and under the packs in the midfield and kicked two goals. 13 kicks, 10 handballs, 23 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 2 goals, 0 behinds. Troy Davis - did all the right things you want from a defender. Safe in the air and knows when and how to spoil. 5 kicks, 10 handballs, 15 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle. Jack Fitzpatrick - first game coming back from a bout of concussion and, with Jake Spencer, played his role in a dominant ruck combination and also kicked a few goals. 8 kicks, 4 handballs, 12 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 14 hit outs, 3 goals, 1 behind. Jesse Hogan - a key position player with great potential. Can't wait to see him, Clark, Howe and Dawes in the same forward line. Unfortunately, that won't be until 2014. Jesse Hogan 12 kicks, 7 handballs, 19 disposals, 5 marks, 1 tackle, 4 goals, 1 behind. Dean Kent - very quiet in the first half but worked hard in the second and also kicked a nice goal. 6 kicks, 5 handballs, 11 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 goal, 0 behinds. James Magner - his usual hard at it game in which he amassed possessions and was very good at the coal face in the packs.19 kicks, 14 handballs, 33 disposals, 7 marks, 8 tackles, 1 goal, 0 behinds. Jordie McKenzie - timely return from injury and worked hard all day showing terrific desperation although he still needs to improve his disposal. 14 kicks, 15 handballs, 29 disposals, 0 marks, 6 tackles. Daniel Nicholson - a solid game full of run. 11 kicks, 7 handballs, 18 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 1 hit out. David Rodan - the consummate professional did everything that was expected of him. Kicked three goals and is too good for this level but one wonders whether he can still cut it regularly at the level above. 9 kicks, 14 handballs, 23 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 3 goals, 0 behinds. Jake Spencer - Casey's best player. Dominated the ruck and worked hard around the ground chasing, spoiling and following up the play. 10 kicks, 9 handballs, 19 disposals, 3 marks, 7 tackles, 36 hit outs, 0 goals, 1 behind. James Strauss - an excellent game in defence and likely to travel to Brisbane to replace the suspended Neville Jetta. 9 kicks, 10 handballs, 19 disposals, 5 marks, 7 tackles, 1 goal, 0 behinds. Rory Taggert - coming back from a debilitating back injury, Taggert is shoeing slow but definite signs of improvement every week and made an impact up forward with two goals. 10 kicks, 7 handballs, 17 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 2 goals, 2 behinds. Josh Tynan - another improver who signified his presence in defence. 14 kicks, 6 handballs, 20 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 1 goal, 0 behinds. Casey Scorpions 4.2.26 11.6.72 19.9.123 25.12.162 Essendon 3.4.22 6.8.44 7.12.54 11.13.79 Goals Casey Scorpions Hogan 4 Fitzpatrick Page Rodan 3 Best Couch Kearns Taggert 2 Kent Magner Strauss Tynan Essendon Daniher 4 Bate Duscher 2 Hams Jetta Thompson Best Casey Scorpions Rodan Spencer Hogan Riseley McKenzie Magner Essendon Daniher Hams Hardingham Steinberg Tipungwuti Coghlan The Casey AFL Development League team overturned their first round defeat to Frankston in a night game at Casey Fields by 52 points with Michael Boland starring. Casey Scorpions 0.1.1 1.2.8 8.6.54 12.11.83 Frankston 2.3.15 3.5.23 3.5.23 4.7.31 Goals Casey Scorpions Smith 3 Drew 2 Hughes Jackson McInnes Matthews Meadows Pollard Troutman Frankston Rennie 2 Farmer Forato Best Casey Scorpions Boland Waters Irwin Lindsay Corry Drew Frankston Cunningham Rennie Jennings Newman Farmer Forato