The Casey Scorpions paid dearly for a slow start in their second practice match of the season against Frankston at Casey Fields on Saturday going down by 3 points after conceding a 5 goal start to the visitors.

By KC.

With no points at stake the result however, was not particularly significant. The club is still experimenting with several new faces and working on familiarising itself with the playing members of new its alignment partner. In turn, a few of the Demon players were also being tried out in new positions under practice match conditions.

There was no early sting in the Scorpions' tail as the Dolphins made all the running and kicked the only four goals scored in the opening term.

Casey went into the game without two of its on ball aces from the previous week in skipper Kyle Matthews and lively Melbourne youngster Austin Womaeamirri who pulled out with a hamstring problem. This left the Dolphins with a distinct early advantage in the clearances and they moved the ball well to deservedly earn their 24-point advantage at quarter time. Forward Addam Maric was lively without being able to convert up forward while big man James Wall was the best of the Scorpions in the early going.

Frankston kicked the first goal of the second term to extend its lead and this served to awaken the home side from its slumber. Liam Jurrah combined well with Maric for their first goal and Jurrah displayed his magical gifts to boot a couple of his own. Fellow Northern Territorian Pierce Liddle also produced patches of brilliance on debut and Nick Scanlon was dangerous up forward but just when it appeared that Casey might bridge the gap Frankston kicked a late goal to take a 14-point lead into the rooms at half time.

The Dolphins were first off the mark after the main break and it took another smart goal from Jurrah to get Casey back in the hunt. Meesen and Wall were on top in the big man department and Shane Valenti was accumulating possessions in the middle. He was ably assisted by rookie Jordie McKenzie, a hard running midfielder. Once again however, Frankston was able to kick goals late in the quarter to reassert its authority on the game.

The final quarter followed a familiar pattern with the visitors kicking the opening goal and the home side having to work hard to catch up. Demons Michael Newton and Colin Sylvia lifted their work rate and a couple of late goals got the Scorpions to within three points before time ran out with the ball going forward as the final siren sounded.

Recruit Michael Stockdale was impressive with his sure ball handling for the second week in a row while Trent Zomer looked more at home this week in defence.

Casey now meets Coburg at Casey Fields in both seniors and reserves in the final hit out before the serious business of the season starts. Games start at 2pm and 11.10 am respectively. 

Casey Scorpions 0.3.3 5.5.35 8.7.55 12.12.84 Frankston 4.3.27 7.7.49 9.12.66 12.15.87 

Goals Jurrah 3 Liddle Maric Scanlon Waite 2 Newton

Best Meesen Wall Stockdale McKenzie Scanlon Jurrah