DESPITE playing one short for most of the first half, the Casey Scorpions proved too strong for Geelong, running away with a 39-point win at Casey Fields on Sunday. Midfielder Aaron Fiora was being considered as a late inclusion for St Kilda before making a dash to Cranbourne to play a starring role in the Scorpions’ triumph.     By Marc McGowan

Cats’ forward Ryan Gamble caused plenty of headaches for Casey defenders Brad Howard and Alex Silvagni early, kicking three goals from four scoring shots to have Geelong up and running.

But with Andrew McQualter in top form in the middle and Jarryd Allen marking everything up forward, the Scorpions held a one-goal advantage at quarter-time.

Charlie Gardiner finished off the best of Casey’s four opening term majors when he ran back with the flight of the ball to mark Adam Parker’s long kick on his chest.

The Scorpions continued to hold off the persistent Cats, even though Sam Stavenuiter joined Gamble as a bright spark in attack for the visitors.

Two second-quarter goals to debutant Luke Miles – giving him three for the first half – ensured Casey took a seven-point buffer into the long break.

Stavenuiter bobbed up again on resumption, missing an early set shot before giving Geelong – who was missing rising stars Tom Hawkins and Harry Taylor and injured captain James Byrne – its first lead since Gamble booted the game’s opening score.

The teams were involved in a titanic struggle for the next five minutes until Stefan Garrubba managed a great goal from long range on the boundary to tie up the match.

Allen, who had been well held since the first quarter, marked and goaled barely a minute later to hand back the lead to the Scorpions against the flow of play.

While Cats Trent West and Shane Mumford had earned the early honours in the ruck, Casey big man Michael Rix was beginning to assert himself.

Rix’s partner-in-crime Ben McEvoy was down in form compared to previous weeks, but the former battled manfully and proved a good target when up forward. His second goal and a similar effort to Garrubba’s by Fiora suddenly gave the Scorpions a 21-point edge at three-quarter-time.

Casey coach Greg Hutchison urged his troops to finish the job, but Geelong had one last effort left in it.

Drew Barnes was the beneficiary of a 50-metre penalty and his major gave the Cats two of the first three goals of the last term to cut the margin to 16 points.

But that was as close as Geelong came from then on as it became the McQualter, Gardiner and Fiora show.

The trio linked up on many occasions and it was a Fiora tackle that resulted in a turnover and goal to McQualter that sealed the match and the Scorpions’ sixth success of the year.

Hutchison recognised the tough nature of the clash and was pleased to record another victory.

“It was a struggle, but to the players’ credit they really worked hard and kept persevering,” he said.

“I think once we got our forward line structure organised we looked a bit better and more potent and dangerous.”

Hutchison was most impressed with McQualter, but praised his players’ ability to cover Fiora’s absence in the first half.

“We played with 21 for that period of time and tried to manage them through it, particularly when we had some guys on limited time as well,” he said.

“It was very difficult early.”

Casey faces an interesting assignment on Saturday against Melbourne-affiliated Sandringham following the news that they will switch alliances at the end of the season. The fixture begins at 1.10pm and will be broadcast live on ABC television.