Gippsland Power player Mitch Dowse was impressive for the Scorpions playing as the 23rd player. Photo from Berwick Leader

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