The Casey Scorpions were unable to maintain their undefeated start to the season, going down in a disappointing 71 point loss in their fourth round game to Bendigo Gold, as Bridget Hanson reports.
After the previous week’s tight one-point-win over Frankston, Casey looked a strong side going into their third home game for the season, with 12 Melbourne FC listed players in the team, including former Demons captain Brad Green. They came up against a Bendigo side who produced exceptional inside 50 performances to run away with their second win of the season.
A fast paced Bendigo developed an early lead only a few minutes into the game. With a masterful kick off the ground late in the quarter by an agile Tim Smith for Casey, the tightest margin of the game- thus far - emerged.
In front by just two points going into the second quarter, Gold did not alter their game plan, instead tightening their already sound defence. It was in the second term that Bendigo truly showed their class.
Bendigo maintained aggressive pressure throughout the quarter, with their main opportunities arising from a series of misplaced kicks by Casey. This allowed an array of goal kickers to emerge for the team from Bendigo; including Justin Madden, who kicked a thumper to make the margin over 20 points in favour of Gold.
Bendigo boasted agility and confidence as they outran and outpaced Casey for the duration of the second quarter - a tired Casey looking relieved to hear the half time siren – with Gold having cemented their lead with a score of 11.9 (75) to 4.6 (30).
Wayne Shultz (22 disposals, 4 goals) extended Bendigo’s lead within 30 seconds of the start of the second half.
Fluid play by Casey at the 19 minute mark of the quarter, boasted excellent interplay between the Melbourne listed boys; with Troy Davis delivering to Ricky Petterd who led the ball into the hands of Brad Green.
Green , who played a somewhat foreign midfield role showed his class as a forward, slowing down play and grabbing a much needed goal, one of his two for the game.
Casey showed more promise in the third, but even with the assistance of the wind, they still couldn’t out do the classy Gold; who capitalised on, and scored from having loose men taking what were predominately uncontested marks.
The fourth quarter was just as impressive for Bendigo; however this time, they came up against a seemingly more determined and competitive group of Casey players.
Casey’s Jake Spencer, with the support of fellow tall Fitzpatrick, made a promising return from a 12 month stint in rehab for a knee injury, finding increasing confidence, and winning 26 hit outs in just over 50% of game time - Casey as a result, proved dominant in the ruck contests.
By full time, at 20.17 (137) to 9.12 (66), it was evident that Gold simply outran an inconsistent Casey.
Among others, integral to the win for Gold were Ben Duscher, Brendan Lee and Shultz; whose pressure not only resulted in personal scores, but assisted many of the other 11 goal kickers for the side. This, in alliance with Gold’s 63 strong tackles to Casey’s mere 23, meant pressure was a key to Bendigo’s 2012 game style.
Luke Davis for Bendigo, put on his best performance of the season so far – keeping one of the AFL’s seasoned veterans, Green, to just seven possessions.
Most exciting for Casey, perhaps, was mature aged Melbourne rookie Tom Couch – who displayed a fine performance, racking up an impressive 14 kicks and 13 handballs for a total of 27 possessions. Along with midfielder Wade Lees (22 possessions), and Dave Collins (21 possessions), there was certainly promise in the loss.
It was a small Casey home crowd that witnessed this significant loss to Gold. The Scorpions now heading into a well timed ‘Bye’ and Gold gearing up to play the Northern Blues this Saturday, 2.00pm at QEO in Bendigo .
Photo: Morgan Hancock
Last Modified on 18/04/2012 12:47