Scorpions Defender Peter Faulkes was soild in defence

The Casey Scorpions returned to the winner's list and stayed in touch in the race for a VFL top eight position on Sunday at Casey Fields with an impressive 36 point win over Geelong.

It was an impressive outcome after a couple of disappointing losses, particularly as it came  against virtually the same team that a week earlier had beaten Sandringham in a thriller at Trevor Barker Beach Road Oval.

BY KC FROM CASEY

The game was played in near perfect conditions and the Scorpions fielded a strong contingent that included Kyle Cheney and Lynden Dunn who flew back from the Coast after not being required by Melbourne as emergencies for the St. Kilda game. Their presence was much appreciated down at Casey Fields and they were dominant as the Scorpions took the lead in the early goings. Together with Shane Valenti and Kyle Matthews they generated enormous drive into the forward line and kept their side on top for most of the game.

Casey's forwards responded in the early going with Michael Newton booting two goals and Russell Robertson the other as it took a handy 17 point lead into the first break; a lead would have been even greater but for some wasteful shooting for goal with the high flying Robertson the main offender.

This pattern was maintained throughout the game, although in each quarter it was a different forward who was doing the scoring.  At various times it was Danny Hughes and Liam Jurrah doing the goal scoring and finally it was Robertson found his kicking boots late in a game in which he could easily have finished with a larger bag than his three goals had he been on target.

The real constants in the game was the hard work of midfielders Valenti, Dunn and Matthews and utilities like Cheney and Ricky Petterd who provided constant drive to the hungry forwards who ensured that home team would retain control. As a consequence its lead was stretched at every interval. By half time that lead was 23 points and it extended out to 29 at the final break before the Scorpions cruised to a well earned six goal victory.

One of the unsung heroes of the Casey effort was defender James Wall who was called upon to take up the huge job of rucking against the Geelong tall timber when big Jake Spencer went down with an injured groin.

Jack Watts, the number 1 selection from last year's national draft, did well on a wing and impressed with his crisp disposal and faultless decision making. Another graduate of the TAC Cup system in Michael Stockdale who missed out in the draft is making an impression at Casey.

He is improving with every game and is proving to be a quality recruit in his debut season after coming to the club from the Gippsland Power.

Rangy defender Peter Faulks worked hard and tackled strongly in the Scorpion backline while the reliable Alex Silvagni was involved in an engrossing battle with his opponent.

Overall, the game was a fantastic team effort and it breathed life back into the Scorpions season. They are now in 9th place and face a must win encounter next Saturday at home against Werribee Tigers Werribee in the ABC TV Match of the Round (starting at 1.00 pm).

Casey Scorpions 3.6.24 7.9.51 11.12.78 16.15.111

Goals  

Casey Scorpions Hughes, Jurrah, Newton, Robertson 3, Petterd 2, Dunn, Valenti

Geelong Podsiadly 4 Johnson 2 Allwright Hunt McKenna West Westwood

Best  

Casey Scorpions Valenti Wall Cheney Dunn Watts Faulks

Geelong Hogan Hunt Laidler Podsiadly West Allwright

Casey Scorpions Reserves moved to fifth on the ladder with a comprehensive 49 point victory over the Northern Bullants. James Taylor and James Blaser were the best players and Trent Zomer booted five goals for the winners.

Casey Scorpions   4.2.26 7.7.49 12.12.84 19.16.130

Northern Bullants   1.2.8 6.4.40 10.8.68 12.9.81

Goals  

Casey Scorpions Zomer 5 B. Waite 3 McGough 3 Clay MacReadie 2 Collins Scanlon Strauss Taylor

Northern Bullants M Anderson Neaves 4 Everington McMahon Power Stavely

Best 

Northern Bullants Everington Prior Neaves McDermott Totino Stavely