by KC from Casey

The Casey Scorpions came out trumps in their danger game against 2009 grand finallists the Northern Bullants on Saturday and go into the week's break for the VFL interstate match against WA full of confidence and in third place on the ladder.

The visitors have never won at the venue before and they set themselves to break their Casey Fields "hoodoo" so it was no surprise that they came out onto the ground full of determination and took the game right up to their hosts in a tightly fought opening quarter. The ground was heavy, particularly in the centre corridor, after some heavy rain during the week and the Scorpions had their noses in front by a mere point at the first break.

The home side broke the shackles in the second quarter when they piled on 5.5.35 to a mere two points and were in full control at half time. They held onto their five goal buffer to the end of the third stanza despite some inconsistency in their performance before pulling away to record their fifth win in six games. The strong seven goal final quarter was exactly what the coach Brad Gotch wanted before moving on to plan the rest of the season and a fortnight's rest.

The Scorpions were well served in the midfield by find of the year and VFL state squad member Danny Nicholls (from Rowville via Collingwood) and in form young Demon Jordan Gysberts who again showed why he was drafted, with a strong performance around the stoppages. Gysberts seems destined for bigger things.  The pair gave plenty of supply of the football to key forwards Brad Miller (4 goals) and Michael Newton (3). Miller was again a focal point forward and must be pushing hard for a spot in the Demons' squad for Darwin.

Cale Morton, in his second game back from a knee injury, started on a wing and was heavily tagged. With a license to go forward or back as the mood took him, Morton finished with three good goals and was a very handy performer on the day.

Michael Stockdale continued his excellent form, combining good defence with plenty of run through the lines. On occasion, he was able to sneak deep into the forward and managed to kick two goals unopposed. Fellow defender Joel Mac Donald was strong and consistent across half back and if not best on ground was in the top two or three. Jake Spencer, while not outstanding, did the bulk of the ruck work and put in a solid performance.

Acting skipper James Wall was serviceable, and is a good chance to make the 23 player VFL State Squad that will fly west to take on the WAFL on Saturday.

The brightest news on the weekend was that captain Kyle Matthews made a game day return to the club on Saturday, approximately two months after being bashed outside a Hawthorn pub. Kyle left a rehabilitation hospital about 10 days ago and while he is now at home, he is still undertaking regular rehab sessions. He is some way off returning to work and is unlikely to play football this season, but is in good spirits and is ecstatic with the way are travelling, and would love to be out on the ground amongst the action!

Casey Scorpions 3.5.23 8.10.58 13.8.86 20.12.132

Northern Bullants 3.4.22 3.6.24 8.9.57 12.12.84

Casey Scorpions Miller 4 Morton Newton 3 Jetta Stockdale Wonaeamirri 2 Gysberts Macdonald Maric Nicholls

Northern Bullants Henderson 4 Wiggins 2 Anderson Biffin Casboult Labi Morgan Robinson

Best

Casey Scorpions Macdonald Stockdale Miller Maric Gysberts Nicholls

Northern Bullants Henderson Robinson Kerr Wiggins Cachia Anderson

The Casey Reserves won their second game to keep alive their hopes for the season. The Scorpions were always on top of the Bullants in the general play but their kicking for goal was in stark contrast to that of their opponents who kicked nine straight goals after being held scoreless in the first term. At one stage in the third quarter Casey led 7.13.55 to 9.0.54 before taking control of the game and running out winners by 49 points.

Promising young tall Luke McDonald was best for the second consecutive match and Cam Purdy booted four goals.

Casey Scorpions 3.6.24 5.7.37 11.13.79 18.19.127

Northern Bullants 0.0.0 6.0.36 9.1.55 11.2.68

Goals

Casey Scorpions Purdy 4 Woodhead 3 M Dowse Patti Petropoulos Weekes 2 David Bell Smith Sykes

Northern Bullants  Saad 6 Prior 2 Smith

Best

Casey Scorpions McDonald Cleven Weekes Patti Lees Woodhead

Northern Bullants Dyer Dufficy Smith Saad Coughlan Church