Melbourne-listed Casey Scorpions forward Neville Jetta booted three goals in his team’s 37-point win over the Northern Bullants on Saturday. 30907Picture: Meagan Rogers

THEY were playing one down and their opponents thought they were gone. But the Casey Scorpions produced a barnstorming final quarter for the second straight week to defeat the Northern Bullants by 37 points at Princes Park on Saturday. 

The Bullants crept within three points of the Scorpions at the final change and hit the front when Brad Fisher booted his sixth goal of the afternoon early in the last term.

By Marc McGowan- Star News

 Dashing Casey defender Jamie Bennell (18 possessions) broke clear only minutes later to register the quick response and regain the lead for the visitors. 

And Northern managed just four behinds from that point on as the Scorpions slammed on another five majors to record their fifth victory of the season.

They momentarily move into the VFL’s top eight and could stay there if Sandringham loses to Box Hill when the split round continues this weekend. 

A behind-the-play incident between Casey defender Rohan Bail and Bullant Mitch Robinson just before half-time left the former concussed and he sat out the rest of the contest. 

The incident sparked a minor melee after the half-time siren. It capped an intriguing first half that ended with the Scorpions leading at the long break. 

Indigenous livewire Liam Jurrah and skipper Kyle Matthews (15) kicked two majors apiece in a six-goal-to-three opening quarter after Northern had the early running. 

Both sides had early chances in the second term before two Fisher marks and goals – the second following some poor defensive checking from Casey – reduced the deficit to 10 points.

It was the hard-working Matthews who opened the Scorpions’ account in the second quarter. He has been in a slump by his own lofty standards over the past month, but was at his brilliant best in the first half. 

Busy defender Michael Stockdale (17) and Michael Newton combined to find Matthews in the right pocket and he slotted an audacious checkside goal from the resultant set shot. 

The teams traded majors before half-time, leaving Casey’s advantage at 10. Newton stretched the difference to 15 with an early goal on resumption after Scorpions onballer Shane Valenti (19) marked an errant Bullants kick out of defence. 

But the Bullants gradually turned the third term into a dour affair; effectively dropping a man back in defence and ensuring strong numbers around the stoppages. 

Two further majors to the increasingly influential and unusually accurate Fisher saw the hosts draw to within a kick at three-quarter-time. 

A boilover was definitely on the cards when Fisher, who was now opposed to Stefan Martin, goaled early in the final term. But Casey’s Aboriginal contingent brought their side roaring back. 

Bennell edged the Scorpions in front before Jurrah and Jetta booted two more.

 Jurrah bobbed up again with a snapped goal after roving a pack and the game was as good as over. 

Casey coach Peter German was at pains to play down his team’s third straight win afterwards, but praised his players’ character. 

“I often challenge the players and always say their character is on the line,” he said. “A three-quarter-time situation like that is when, if you don’t have the genuine character for this game, you’ll fall by the wayside.

“But our blokes just knew nothing but to continue working on the things we spoke about and they got their rewards.” German also admitted that finals were a ‘realistic goal’ for his side for the first time this season. 

The Scorpions have a break this weekend due to the split round before resuming in a vital ABC-broadcast clash with second-placed Williamstown at Burbank Oval on Saturday at 1.10pm. 

VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Seniors:Casey Scorpions 14.11 (95) d Northern Bullants 9.4 (58). Goals: Casey: Jurrah 4, Matthews, Jetta 3, Wheatley, Faulks, Bennell, Newton. Northern: Fisher 6, Hartlett, Ellard, McCorkell. Best: Casey: Bennell, Faulks, Jurrah, Silvagni, Jetta, Matthews. Northern: Fisher, Ellard, Hadley, Russell, Hartlett, Edwards.Reserves: Casey 20.14 (134) d Northern 12.14 (86).