By KC From Casey

That they managed to overcome their own demonsand win a close encounter against quality opposition has gained them theadmiration and respect of their supporters and the football public at large.However, as coach Peter German would be quick to add, there's still a longway to go. 

Following last week's bye, the Scorpions were expected to come up fresh andwith the aid of additional AFL players to assist the cause against theladder leaders but that source was closed off by even more injuries atMelbourne and, as a result, this week's newcomers Josh Bolton and JedCostigan were added to the long list of players - more than half the side -with less than 10 matches at this level. 

By way of contrast, Williamstown had no shortage of Bulldogs available andeven had the luxury of playing a few of them in the reserves. With a stronggroup of seasoned VFL stars they were entitled to start strong favourites sowhen they kicked off with the aid of the strong northerly and goaled withinthe first few minutes, it looked as if everything would go according to theanticipated script for the day. 

But the young Scorpions had other ideas. They defended grimly and with greatdiscipline against the strong freshening breeze and managed to bottle thegame up on the defensive side for long periods. They even ran the ballforward on a few occasions but messed up a couple of scoring opportunitiesbefore conceding Willy a second goal at the 27 minute mark of the quarter totrail by just 15 points at the first change. 

Casey was well served down back by Peter Faulks with James Wall pushing backwhen needed to lend assistance. Pocket rocket Michael Stockdale was insuperb touch bobbing up everywhere on his way to 25 kicks 10 handballs andthree marks. He was joined by Alex Silvagni, moved out of necessity to themidfield where he finished with 19 disposals and 5 marks. 

The Scorpions were fortunate to have Tim Mohr in the ruck as a replacementfor Mark Jamar who was called up the previous day to play for the Demons.Skipper Kyle Matthews was busy in and under packs and tackling hard like aterrier and Ben MacReadie racking up 10 kicks, 17 handballs and 3 marks andproviding a contest for the ball. 

Casey attacked with the wind and after a string of six behinds, Nick Scanlonmarked strongly and passed to Ben Waite for its first goal three minutesinto the second quarter. A long kick from Mohr bounced through and thevisitors' lead had been cut to a point. Then a struggle ensued in which thehome team's midfield held sway but the forwards were struggling to convertin the windy conditions.

 The sole Melbourne senior listed player was Jamie Bennell and he providedgreat run off half back in this term with the Scorpions prepared to kick theball long and move the ball quickly. They finally took the initiative withlate goals to Demon rookie Trent Zomer and Waite for his second to hold a 13point lead at the main break. The Seagulls came out after half time determined to stamp their control overthe proceedings and took little time to make up the leeway. They hit thefront with two goals to the nine minute mark but, just as they looked likerunning away with the game, they started spraying their shots at goal in awasteful display of forward play. When Casey went forward it was rewardedwith a goal to Scanlon - the first for the game against the wind. As aresult, Willy held an 11 point lead going into the final quarter and kickingagainst the wind. 

Despite the advantage of kicking with almost a gale force wind, there wassome fear among Scorpion fans that the team might tire against AFL hardenedopposition. German asked for a big final quarter effort requiring hisplayers to play smart, play on and keep moving the ball to advantage at alltimes. It paid dividends but the Williamstown players persisted throughoutand managed to kick a one against the wind. Mohr who had recently beensidelined through injury for several weeks was inspirational kicking twogoals and Matthews one as Casey showed a ton of guts to grab the lead at 28minutes.

Lees kicks a point after the siren to see Casey win by 6 points

 The Seagulls momentarily snatched it back amid flashbacks of thegame earlier this year at Williamstown when they won the game with a goal atthe death. However, this time the Scorpions prevailed. Faulks booted a longbomb at the 31 minute mark to give them a five point lead and it seemed aneternity of nervous excitement before Wade Lees, who had been busy all daywith 25 touches, took a mark and the siren sounded as he lined up for goal.The result was a point but it didn't matter. Casey had finally won a closeone. The late August winds sweep across Casey Fields long after the celebrationswere over. The Scorpions, fresh from a significant win over ladder leaderand premiership favourite Williamstown, are aware that the season is yet torun its full course: there's still more work to be done and little time toreflect on their famous victory over the Seagulls. There's an away fixtureat Box Hill and an outside chance of slipping into the top four next weekfor starters. 

Casey Scorpions 0.4.4 4.8.32 5.8.38 9.13.67 Williamstown 2.7.19 2.7.19 5.19.49 7.19.61 

Goals Casey Scorpions Mohr 3 Waite 2 Faulks Matthews Scanlon Zomer 

Williamstown Everitt Galea Gotch Joyce O'Keefe Skipper Stack

 Best Casey Scorpions MacReadie Stockdale Mohr Lees Faulks Silvagni

 Williamstown O'Keefe Johnson Skipper Stretton Callan Wood 

Reported Josh Bolton (Casey Scorpions) for charging Dean Galea(Williamstown)

 This may sound like a broken record but it would be fair to say that theScorpions were once again severely undermanned. The result was a predictableloss against a leading finals contender. Scott MacLeod was named his team'sbest.

 Casey Scorpions 1.2.8 1.2.8 4.2.26 5.2.32 Williamstown 3.4.22 8.13.61 11.18.84 19.25.139 

Goals Casey Scorpions Sykes 2 Blackie MacLeod Virtue

Williamstown Cordy Cravino Langlands Ogle O'Shea Rampe Shaw Tanner 2 JonesLockwood Lynch 

Best Casey Scorpions MacLeod Dean Clay Bolton Collins Terry 

Williamstown Langlands Lockwood Rampe Wight Young Cravino