Casey Scorpions forward Michael Newton gets a kick away as his Box Hill opponent closes in on the weekend. Picture: Meagan Rogers

THE Casey Scorpions led at every change before blowing an ideal opportunity to consolidate a top-eight spot in their 15-point loss to Box Hill at Casey Fields on Sunday. 

Casey had six of the first seven shots on goal in the opening term, but could manage just one major to set the tone for its wasteful performance. 

By Marc McGowan- Star News

Melbourne-listed forward Danny Hughes was the chief culprit with three successive misses after booting the Scorpions’ first goal. 

But Casey’s struggles were not restricted to goal-kicking. 

The Scorpions’ decision-making was poor for most of the afternoon and there were none of the stretches of brilliance that were on display in their last-start victory over Coburg. 

Coach Peter German blamed his team’s untimely bye last weekend for its ‘tardy’ performance and it was certainly not the same Casey outfit that appeared to be gaining serious momentum since its round-one shellacking at the hands of Sandringham. Skipper Kyle Matthews, so often his side’s spark, epitomised the Scorpions’ day. 

 The hosts had drawn within nine points late in the final quarter after a Michael Stockdale major. Matthews gathered the ball following the resultant bounce and looked set to send Casey forward again, but was caught twice as he tried to shake his tackler. 

The wiry on-baller received a lucky free kick on the first attempt, but was adjudged to be holding the ball as he tried to escape a second time. 

Key forward Matt Moore is another who will be keen to forget the weekend in a hurry. Hawks defender Lachlan McQueen-Miscamble held Moore to only three possessions and one mark and he never looked like having an impact. 

The Scorpions boasted what seemed like a fearsome attack, including Moore, Hughes, Michael Newton and 2008 number-one draft pick Jack Watts, at the start of the day. Hughes was the best of the quartet and Newton kicked two goals, but they would be disappointed with their outputs. But, for all of this, Casey led for most of the afternoon and walked away knowing its best would have been enough. 

The Scorpions even had the better of the early going in the last term, but Beau Vernon missed badly on the run before Newton was unable to out-mark his opponent after a Hughes pass. The teams traded majors before Box Hill big man Brent Renouf took charge in the ruck to spark four unanswered goals – two to best afield Sam Gibson – for the visitors. 

Stockdale’s running goal cut the margin to nine at the 27-minute mark, but a 50m penalty brought Hawthorn rookie-lister Luke Breust within range and his third major sealed the result. Daniel Bell (24 disposals) was Casey’s best with a gritty effort that included 11 tackles and a goal, while much-improved ruckman Tim Mohr impressed again with two first-half majors. 

Versatile defenders James Wall (29) and Tom McNamara (20) also won plenty of the ball, but the Scorpions were down across the board. Casey now has a date with reigning premier North Ballarat at Eastern Oval at 2pm on Sunday. 

German is looking forward to the match-up against a side on a four-game winning streak. “We’ll go up there with a great deal of respect for Ballarat,” he said.

 “We know we’ll be up against it, but we’ll be treating it like any other game and we’ll look at their strengths and weaknesses and plan accordingly. 

“It is just another test for a young team that’s sort of trying to develop its character as individuals and I don’t think there’s any better test than going up against the premiers on their home ground. 

“We’ve been disappointed by a loss, so we’re looking for the players to rebound strongly.” 

VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUESeniors: Box Hill Hawks 13.11 (89) d Casey Scorpions 10.14 (74). Goals: Box Hill: Gibson 4, Breust 3, Lisle 2, Iles, Smithwick, Kennedy, Neil. Casey: Mohr, McNamara, Newton 2, Hughes, Bell, Stockdale, Jetta. Best: Box Hill: Gibson, Renouf, Schoenmakers, Kenna, Breust, Iles. Casey: Bell, Stockdale, Silvagni, Mohr, Hughes, McNamara.