 | | Gippsland Power player Mitch Dowse was impressive for the Scorpions playing as the 23rd player. Photo from Berwick Leader |
AT three-quarter-time they had their hands full with a persevering Werribee. But by the final siren the Casey Scorpions had turned a struggle into a stroll, pushing on to a 50-point victory in the Round 9 clash at Casey Fields on Saturday By Paul Amy- Leader News
Seven goals to one in the final quarter, when they heeded coach Peter German's call to stop fiddling on the flanks and ``own the corridor'', put it away for the locals. It wasn't their most convincing performance but the Scorpions improved to 4-4 approaching the halfway mark of the season and are making steady progress under German. But tests abound at this level. Another comes this Saturday when they visit Visy Park to tackle the Northern Bullants, who knocked over ladder leader Williamstown on Saturday and are 6-2. As part of a fundraising initiative for research into breast cancer, Casey wore pink jumpers against Werribee and the sight of the fluorescent strip caused some spectators to rub their peepers in disbelief.  | | Liam Jurrah, from the berwick News |
``What's going on here?'' Melbourne assistant coach Mark Williams said as the players ran on to the ground. Soon lithe Scorpion Liam Jurrah was grabbing eyes. The Melbourne hope had a terrific first half, kicking three goals, the best of them when he was rewarded for a tackle and converted a long set shot. He finished with four goals, as did Neville Jetta, a clever small man. Throw in bullocking Brad Miller (three goals), the always-dangerous Michael ``Juice'' Newton (one) and a good midfield and the Scorpions always had opportunities to score. The pity was that yet again they failed to take them, finishing with more points than goals. There was a bit of a cross breeze and Miller filled his sails in the second half, taking a series of marks after powerful leads. The ABC TV commentators judged him man-of-the-match. It came as a surprise to the Casey coaches, who talked up Alex Silvagni as the game-turner. Playing his 50th senior match, Silvagni started at full-back on Marty Pask, but went into the ruck in the second quarter and almost immediately kicked a goal. The other noteworthy performance came from first-year VFL player Ben MacReadie, who exuded calm every time he got the ball and put it on to his neat left-foot. The Scorpions played Gippsland Power player Mitchell Dowse as their 23rd man and he looked a busy little player, kicking a goal. The reserves match also provided a highlight for Casey. The Scorpions won their third match in a row, highlighting just how far the list has come in the past 12 months. Two or three years ago Casey seconds could not beat a drum. Now they have players rapping at the door of the selectors and will give the finals a nudge. Wade Lees, the brother of football manager Craig, was named in the best for the third time in four matches. $1000 Leader player of the year (votes by Paul Amy): 3 Brad Miller, 2 Alex Silvagni, 1 Ben MacReadie. Progressive: 7 Wall, Valenti, 4 Silvagni, 3 Miller, Jamar, Bell, Newton, Matthews, 2 Cheney, Dunn, Mohr, Liddle, Spencer, 1 Robertson, Maric, Panozza, McNamara, MacReadie. Casey Scorpions 4.4 8.11 10.13 17.18 (120) d Werribee Tigers 2.4 6.7 8.10 9.16 (70) Goals: Casey Scorpions: Jetta 4 Jurrah 4 Miller 3 Dowse Petterd Newton Wheatley Silvagni Dunn. Werribee Tigers: Goldstein 2 Baddeley Denton Obst Pask Howard Speight Barlow Best: Casey Scorpions: Silvagni Miller MacReadie Bartram Wall McKenzie. Werribee Tigers: Barlow Black Pask Goldstein Martiniello Gleeson Reserves: Casey Scorpions 3.5 10.13 13.17 16.19 (115) d Werribee Tigers 3.2 5.5 9.6 10.8 (68) Casey Scorpions goals: Zomer 3 Scanlon 3 Waite 2 Bolton 2 Creed McLeod Clay Costigan Chivers Hillberge. Best: Taylor Creed Lees Collins Scanlon Bolton |
