Tim Mohr wins the ruck contest in what was his best game for the Scorpions. Photo courtesy of Leader News

THANKFULLY, it appears  Casey Scorpions'  Round 1 loss to Sandringham was an aberration.

The Scorpions  have kicked on since that doleful day at the Trevor Barker Oval, taking Port Melbourne to three points,  toughing it out  against Frankston and, on Saturday,  running away   from Coburg Tigers at City Oval.

By Paul Amy - Leader News

 It was an outstanding performance by Peter German's team against an opponent  equipped with 16 Richmond-listed players.The build-up, of course, was dominated by  talk about Ben Cousins making his return to football for Coburg.All the publicity brought a crowd that had Coburg GM Ryan  O'Connor  smiling.

Doubtless O'Connor  will have to  give some of the gate money   to the VFL after a melee  involving every player  at three-quarter-time.  With the crowd spilling on to the ground it  was ugly enough to lead off the Channel 7 news on Saturday night and  had people saying it was like the   old  VFA.  

There was a lot of pushing and shoving and  hot words. The VFL will have the final say  by  popping both clubs  with a fine this week.The Scorpions  led by two points at half time but  powered away  in the second half to win by    42 points.Their  forward line  was  fantastic.

 High-leaping Michael Newton kicked five goals,  and Matthew Moore,  Jack Watts and  Danny Hughes three each.Watts, Melbourne's trumpeted number one draft pick,   was making his first appearance at this level.``Before the game I just told him to get involved, go for his marks,  chase,   pressure, support his teammates,'' German said. ``We couldn't have asked for anything more from him.

''The Scorpions played  how German wants them to play:  with a relentlessness  that lets the opposition know there will be no letting up.German says  he will accept  skill errors, but won't accept  anything less than determined effort. He got it from 22 players,  notably young Tim Mohr. Giving away inches  to Troy Simmonds, he battled away magnificently  in the ruck, picking up   19 possessions.  Mohr  came  to Casey  from Tasmania last year as a key position prospect and     had a quiet time of it. But  he is  in purple form.Peter Faulks handsomely won his duel with   Jay  Schultz,  Shane Valenti  led the  midfield, Jordie  McKenzie   did  good things with his possessions and Ben MacReadie burrowed away  in the packs  and shot the ball out with a pickpocket's  hands.

 It was a terrific day  for the Scorpions. They  also won the reserves  match with a team boosted by  Beau Vernon, Jarrod Matheson,  Pierce Liddle  and Glenn Chivers. Vernon and  Matheson  were  in the best, raising  hands  for recalls to the senior team.  

Casey has the bye in Round 5.

 $1000 Leader player of the year (votes by Craig Lees): 3   Michael Newton,  2  Tim Mohr, 1  Shane Valenti.

Progressive: 4 Shane Valenti, 3 Michael Newton,  Kyle Matthews, James Wall,  2   Tim Mohr, Alex Silvagni, Pierce Liddle, Jake Spencer, 1 Russell Robertson, Addam Maric, Evan Panozza.

Casey Scorpions   1.1  7.6  11.11  17.13 (115) d Coburg Tigers   2.2  7.4  7.6  11.7 (73)

Goals: Casey Scorpions: Newton 5 Moore 3 Watts 3 Hughes 3 Wall  McNamara  Valenti.

Coburg Tigers: Hislop 2 Pettifer 2 Liddle 2 Schulz  King  Allan  Connors  Horne

 Best: Casey Scorpions: Newton Mohr McKenzie Faulks Watts Silvagni.

Coburg Tigers: Edwards Cousins Simmonds Morgan King Caruso 

Reserves: Casey Scorpions   2.4  9.5  16.7  17.7 (109)  d Coburg Tigers   3.6  6.10  11.11  15.17 (107)

Goals: Casey Scorpions: Scanlon 4 Vernon 3 Chivers 2 Bolton 2 Healey 2 Oldmeadow  McLeod  Patti  Taylor.

Coburg Tigers: Hughes 6 Clifton  Browne  Rayson  De Sousa  Kellett  Deledio  Polak  Hislop  Kandilakis

Best: Casey Scorpions: Williams Patti Strauss Healey Chivers Vernon.

Coburg Tigers: Hughes Ambrose Groves Browne Rayson Cattapan.