 | It was a test of depth, and the result suggests the Casey Scorpions failed it.But Saturday's loss to Port Melbourne wasn't all done to a weakened line-up. With St Kilda opting to take three ``spares'' _ Andrew McQualter, Matt Ferguson and Ben McEvoy _ to Brisbane on Sunday, the Scorpions were left with only eight Saints for Saturday's Round 8 clash at TEAC Oval. By Paul Amy- Leader News |
As it was St Kilda didn't require the trio, which would have significantly strengthened the Scorpions. That said, they had a lot of the ball, but drowned in a sea of mistakes. Their kicking for goal was particularly poor. They had 2.10 on the board at half-time, and club great Denis Knight, down from Queensland for the weekend, opined that four of the misses should have been kicked at this level. The Scorpions also gifted Port a handful of goals, most notably in the third quarter when Jimmy Taylor turned the ball over, allowing Adrian Bonaddio to kick one of his five goals. Still, Casey was well in the game in the last quarter. Alex Silvagni, who'd battled not only a stomach bug but powerful Port forward Bonaddio, went forward to kick a goal and put the Scorpions within five points.Port responded with a burst of goals that buried the visitors, two from little Jonno Mullins as he broke free from Taylor. The inside 50s told a story: Casey had 53 and Port 50. But Casey had no dominating forward. Jarryd Allan, always a good target, was used as a key defender, at the request of St Kilda. That meant James Wall, who has sparkled at centre half back this season, played in the forward line, where he did little damage.With St Kilda withdrawing McEvoy on Saturday morning, Casey had to pull Ben McDonald out of the reserves. He was stripped and ready to play when told he would be making his senior debut. Adding to his thrill, Knight presented him with his jumper. McDonald, recruited from Scoresby two years ago, made a handy entrance to senior football, having 14 touches and making three tackles and five spoils. He stood speedy Port little man Robin Nahas. But wingman James Gwilt, who had 29 possessions, continued his campaign for a St Kilda call-up with a fine game on the wing. Ruckman Michael Rix, a player with a heart the size of a pumpkin, took 11 marks and had 21 possessions. David Armitage, Brad Howard and skipper Kyle Matthews did their bit. Casey has this weekend off owing to the state game against the SANFL. It hosts Geelong on Sunday, June 8. Casey Scorpions 1.3, 2.10, 5.13, 10.16 (76) lt Port Melb 3.1 6.4 10.7 16.10 (106) GOALS: CS: Gardiner 2 Garrubba Matthews Silvagni Armitage Howard Rix Wall Gwilt. PM: Bonaddio 5 Mullins 2 McMahon 2 Fanning 2 Schultz Nahas Cotchett O'Keefe Spriggs BEST: CS: Gwilt Armitage Matthews Rix Garrubba Howard. PM: Bonaddio Brewer Pleming Pinwill McGrath Spriggs $1000 Leader player of the year (votes by Paul Amy): 3 James Gwilt, 2 Michael Rix, 1 Brad Howard: Progressive: 8 Silvagni, 7 Gwilt, 6 Jones, 5 McQualter, 3 Ferguson, R Clarke, Gardiner, Birss, 2 Rix, McEvoy, Allen, Wall, 1 Matthews, Howard. |
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