FEW people tipped Casey Scorpions to make the finals this season and only the most one-eyed Scorpion expected the club to end the home and away fixture as minor premiers.
But, that’s exactly where Casey Scorpions sit as they welcome Werribee to Casey Fields for a Qualifying Final that wasn’t on anyone’s radar.
With the much publicised departure of Messrs Fevola, Mohr, Stockdale and Wall and what developed into a virtual season erasing injury to co-captain Kyle Matthews, Casey has defied all the pundits.
Now they have to defy Werribee, which smashed them earlier in the season and looks as formidable as any finalist.
Werribee has won five of its past seven games, including a 13-goal win over Casey at Chirnside Park in Round 14.
Nathan Ablett kicked four goals in that match, but he’s only just returned from injury. Significantly, Ablett kicked five goals for Werribee’s Development League team last weekend and is likely to be included in the Qualifying Final team.
Apart from the loss of Ablett, Werribee’s team has been pretty much stable in recent weeks and that always augurs well.
Werribee has certainly gained maximum return from all its North Melbourne players. Ben Warren and Ben McKinley finished third and fifth respectively on the goal kicking ladder with 50 and 37 goals respectively.
Add Ablett to that mix and it poses giant headaches for the Scorpions coaching staff.
North Melbourne’s emerging ruckman Majak Daw has been outstanding while Malcolm Lynch is a quality player who can be damaging through the midfield or pushing into attack and Levi Greenwood is a prolific possession winner.
But, Werribee has found itself in the Qualifying Final not only on the back of its aligned players. The Tigers have a strong VFL list led by captain Robbie Castello, defenders Scott Sherlock, Kyle Hartigan, Matt O’Dwyer and veteran Leigh Harding.
Former North Melbourne player Ben Ross has enjoyed a good season as too has Sam Wormald and Ben Sharp is as good a run with player as there is the competition.
While Casey has home ground advantage, where they are 6-3 this season, Werribee owns a 5-4 record on the road.
What Casey has been able to do all season long is win, regardless of how many Melbourne players are in the team or if they’re staring defeat in the face. They’re 8-1 in games decided by three goals or less.
Somehow Casey has found a way to win and that’s a credit to the players and coach Brett Lovett who has instilled great faith in his players.
The Scorpions have been strengthened by the late season return of Matthews while the other co-captain Evan Panozza has never played better.
While Jack Fitzpatrick is Casey’s leading goal kicker with just 28 goals, the Scorpions ability to spread its goal kickers to kick a winning score has been its trademark.
Casey will again be cast as the underdog in this Qualifying Final, but as they have repeatedly shown all season the Scorpions can’t be under estimated.
Last Modified on 31/08/2012 17:06