The Casey Scorpions showed the rest of the league why they’re still a genuine contender this year after a gutsy 10 point win over the Sandringham Zebras at the Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday. James Hunter-Smith reports.
The Scorpions, backed by a handful of players omitted from the Demons squad, battled through swirling winds running out 9.15.69 to 8.11.59 winners.
Despite the gale force winds, Matthew Bate (four goals) and Ricky Petterd (two) led the scoring for the Scorpions, while Michael Lourey (three) continued his strong season as a dynamic presence up forward for the Zebras.
Scorpions young gun Sam Blease will be pushing for higher honours after his best game so far in 2011, rock solid down back with 28 touches. James Wall (29), Matthew Warnock (27) and Petterd (26) were also prominent.
Scorpions coach Brad Gotch said the victory was a just result for his troops given how hard they worked in the conditions.
“I thought we worked so hard we deserved to win the game,” he said.
“I just thought we outworked them in the key components, especially into the breeze…[that] was quite important.”
Gotch said he was especially pleased with his side’s ability to make most of their opportunities in the second half, which they were unable to do early on.
“You [have to] take your chances and we didn’t quite do that into the breeze in the first quarter, but we did in the third which was good.”
Despite the result, Sandringham’s Raphael Clarke was superb in defence, containing Brendan Fevola and rebounding efficiently off half-back. Chris Irving and Andrew McQualter were also strong in the middle, keeping the Zebras in touch late.
Sandringham were out of the blocks early with two quick goals to Chris Irving and Michael Lourey, putting Casey’s defence immediately on the back foot.
They used the wind to their advantage, often kicking long inside their attacking 50 in hope of finding a target up forward.
The Zebras were able to slot another two late goals, but a much-needed major to Tom McDonald steadied the Scorpions who entered the first break trailing by 15 points.
The second term was all Casey, who kicked three goals to none and made amends for its inaccurate first quarter.
Bate kicked his first early in the quarter, followed by a scrappy arm-wrestle between the two sides as Petterd and Clarke worked hard to press forward for their respective teams.
Bate was pushed squarely in the back late in the quarter, however managed to squeeze a handball out to Warnock who ran into an open goal, putting the visitors up by two points at the main break.
The Zebras were in total control for the majority of the third quarter, keeping the ball in their attacking half and were looking to run away with the game.
However poor disposal and ineffective entries inside 50 kept the Scorpions in touch, making them pay after a swift passage of play out of defence via Evan Panozza, Robbie Campbell and Matthew Bate, who eventually found Fevola alone in the goal square.
A clanger from Casey’s William Petropolous with minutes remaining in the term saw Raph Clarke gather and storm through the middle of the ground, finally spotting McQualter who nailed the open goal, sending his side up eight points at the final break.
The two teams traded goals early in the final term, with Raph Clarke continuing to plague the Scorpions’ forwards with his solid defensive work.
The scores were tied with barely five minutes remaining, when Bate saved the day for Casey slotting two goals in as many minutes, including a superb drop punt from the tightest of angles.
Sandringham continued to press hard however time was against them, eventually falling to the Scorpions 9.15.69 to 8.11.59.
Zebras coach Brett Lovett said he was disappointed with his side’s inability to apply enough scoreboard pressure.
“With the breeze we didn’t hit the scoreboard, I thought that was basically the difference,” he said.
“They [Scorpions] crowded us up pretty well and made it hard for us to score.
“We just couldn’t get it through the big sticks.”
Lovett said the Zebra’s four wins and four losses was a “pass mark”, but his troops have the ability to push for finals.
“I think on any day we can win,” he said.
“Hopefully [we] win more than we lose and that’ll push us up in the top part of that eight rather than being down towards the bottom end.”
This week the Zebras face the Bendigo Bombers at home, while the Scorpions will try to retain their spot in the top-four with a vital clash against Collingwood at Casey Fields.
Last Modified on 08/06/2011 08:20