Melbourne star Russell Robertson booted five goals in the Casey Scorpions’ 39-point victory over Frankston at Frankston Park on Sunday.

A COURAGEOUS last-quarter performance ensured the Casey Scorpions registered their first points of the VFL season over Frankston in testing conditions at Frankston Park on Sunday.

The Scorpions entered the round-three clash winless – as did the Dolphins – but prevailed by 39 points in a determined display.

By Marc McGowan-  Star News

The seesawing clash appeared to be in the balance at three-quarter-time with Frankston 33 points behind but preparing to kick with a strong breeze.But the game was as good as over less than seven minutes into the final term when youngster Beau Vernon slotted an incredible major to give Casey a 47-point advantage.

Vernon’s goal was one of just four kicked to the bay end for the day and the second of the Scorpions’ three in the last quarter.

Casey’s triumph was also coach Peter German’s first at his new club.

“It beats losing – that’s for sure. I’ve always been a bad loser, but I know we’re still a young side,” he said after the match.

“For the guys to really lift to another level and probably go inside 50 more than they did into that breeze was nothing short of sensational.”

Skipper Kyle Matthews led the way for the Scorpions with a typically inspirational performance, while defenders James Wall, Alex Silvagni, Peter Faulks and Michael Stockdale were also impressive.Silvagni starred in a stint in the ruck in the third term and Stockdale performed a brilliant blanketing job on Frankston livewire Justin Berry.

Melbourne forward Russell Roberton was onto his second opponent before the end of the opening quarter and finished with five goals to show he is ready for an AFL return.

Casey was first to kick with the wind and Robertson was on the board within the opening minute.He finished with three for the term as Casey – despite squandering opportunities in the final minutes – went to the first break 33 ahead of the scoreless Dolphins.

Frankston wasted little time cutting back the margin in the second quarter, with the dangerous Michael Lourey kicking the hosts’ first goal off the ground in the opening 60 seconds.

The Dolphins struggled with inaccuracy for a brief period before Berry sparked them into action when he trapped Wall in a strong tackle.His resulting major was the first of four in seven minutes as Frankston snatched the lead halfway through the term.

The Scorpions, who also failed to score to the bay end, battled hard from then on to restrict the damage and the Dolphins went to half-time with only a three-point buffer.Casey had several chances to hit the scoreboard early in the second half, but only Melbourne’s Austin Wonaeamirri kicked truly in the first 12 minutes.The impressive Tom McNamara broke the shackles with a booming goal outside 50 before Silvagni kicked back-to-back goals to give the Scorpions a 25-point edge.

Wall also got in on the act before Frankston pair Mark Baguley and Tory Dickson combined to finally end the scoring drought at the other end.The Dolphins charged forward again, but Casey’s defenders managed to thwart them and Robertson kicked his fourth on the rebound just before three-quarter-time.

German urged for discipline at the huddle, but he needn’t have worried.Wall set up Robertson inside the first two minutes for the latter’s fifth and the Scorpions continued to dominate possession until Vernon’s match-winning major.

Frankston kicked three late goals – the last of them following Hughes’ brilliant major from the boundary for Casey – but it was too little too late.

German believes his players have put their nightmare round-one effort against Sandringham behind them.

“We tried to put that behind us right from the start,” he said.“We knew we weren’t that bad, but it also showed that we’ve always got to be on our guard.”

The Scorpions take on third-placed Coburg at ABD Group Stadium from 1.10pm on Saturday.Casey could find itself pitted against the likes of Richmond trio Ben Cousins, Trent Cotchin and Andrew Raines.ABC television is broadcasting the match live

 ---------IN A PANEL-----------VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Seniors: Casey Scorpions 14.12 (96) d Frankston 8.9 (57).

Goals: Casey: Robertson 5, Silvagni 3, Hughes 2, McNamara, Vernon, Wall, Wonaeamirri. Frankston: Dickson, Berry, Lourey 2, Magner, Pollard.

Best: Casey: Matthews, Wall, Robertson, Valenti, Silvagni, Stockdale. Frankston: Ablett, Casboult, Baguley, Lombardozzi, Dickson, Ongarello.