Privately, one or two officials thought it would be a reasonable result if they could get to within six goals. Still, with his side trailing by 32 points at the last change, Ants coach David Teague gave an animated address in which he declared the visitors   could pinch it. 

He'd been encouraged by Lachlan Henderson's powerful marking and an influential period for Simon Wiggins in the third quarter.  His message was to ``get it in there''. But the Scorpions put more distance between the sides when their brilliant little defender Michael Stockdale skipped forward to kick the first of his two goals in the last quarter.

The Ants replied through Henderson, but then Casey went on a four-goals run that took the entire sting out of the Bullants and the match. The victory left the Scorpions with five wins and one loss going into this weekend's break for the state match against the WAFL in Perth. `

`You'd take that every day of the week, wouldn't you?'' Coach Bradley Gotch said after the match.``Now we'll restock and just take a think about where we're at and how we need to keep going forward.'' 

He gave the best-afield accolade to the experienced Joel MacDonald and happily so after giving the ex-Brisbane Lion a bake at quarter time. Gotch asked him for more, in language that included a word that rarely leaves his lips. 

Stockdale was outstanding again, justifying the VFL selectors' decision to draft him into the state squad. He's like to make the final 23. Teammates James Wall and Danny Nicholls are also in contention to wear the Big V jumper. 

Teague praised Stockdale's performance. ``Yeah, I like him. He defends first, and then he's got plenty of run, plenty of speed. Obviously the AFL recruiters haven't looked at him too much because of his size, but he's kicked two goals today from a half-back flank and  defended well.

' The Scorpions play the resurgent Bendigo Bombers, also 5-1, at the Queen Elizabeth Oval after the break.  

TWO months after being bashed   outside a Hawthorn nightclub and   left with serious head injuries, Casey Scorpions captain Kyle Matthews made a spirit-lifting return to the club on Saturday.Matthews left a rehabilitation hospital last Thursday and is resting at home but he must still present for rehab sessions. 

He is some way off returning to work and is unlikely to play football this season. ``Hoping to. They  said there's a chance later on in the year but I'm not going to play if it's silly,'' Matthews  said in the rooms after the match,  enjoying  the sight of his teammates prancing  around  after their victory over  the Northern Bullants. 

Asked if he's missed football, Matthews said: ``Oh year, miss the footy, miss the team, miss everything. Miss winning. ``Loved it, absolutely loved it (returning).  It's good to see everyone.'' 

He said James Wall was doing an ``awesome job'' as captain. ``I told him he could keep it, he's doing that well.'' 

Casey president John Sharkie said the captain's appearance had lifted heads.``Sensational to see him here, getting back involved. He's certainly got a presence about him,'' he said.       

Casey Scorpions   3.5  8.10  13.11  20.12 (132)Northern Bullants   3.4 3.6  8.9  12.12 (84) 

GOALS:

Casey Scorpions: Miller 4 Morton 3 Newton 3 Jetta 2 Stockdale 2 Wonaemirri 2 Gysberts  Macdonald  Maric Nicholls.

Northern Bullants: Henderson 4 Wiggins 2 Robinson  Anderson  Biffin  Morgan  Labi  Casboult 

 BEST:

Casey Scorpions: Macdonald Stockdale Miller Maric Gysberts Nicholls.

 Northern Bullants: Henderson Robinson Kerr Wiggins Cachia Anderson 

$3000 Leader Alarah Casey Scorpions player of the year: 18 Brad Miller, 15 Joel MacDonald, 14 Michael Stockdale, 13 Jordan Gysberts.

Progressive: 75 Michael Stockdale, 66 Danny  Nicholls, Kyle Cheney, 59 James Wall, 61 Brad Miller  

Reserves - Casey Scorpions   3.6  5.7  11.13  18.19 (127)  Northern Bullants   0.0  6.0  9.1  11.2 (68)

Casey Scorpions goals: Purdy 4 Woodhead 3 Patti 2 Dowse 2 Petropoulos 2 Weekes 2 Smith  Sykes  Bell.

Best:  McDonald Cleven Weekes Patti Lees Woodhead  

$500 Alarah reserves player of the year:  3 Luke McDonald, 2 Matt Fieldsend, 1 Mark Weekes. Progressive: 5 Luke McDonald, Michael Johnson, 4 Mark Weekes.