CASEY SCORPIONS held on for a narrow eight-point victory against Collingwood at Victoria Park in a tight top eight encounter on Saturday. The match once again highlighted the talents of Melbourne mini draft selection Jesse Hogan, who was best on ground for Casey in a win that helped them retain second spot on the ladder, as Luke Armstrong reports.
The Magpies moved the ball well early, and had the advantage in the first term. They tackled ferociously, which forced Casey to turnover the ball in the first quarter. Scorpions forward Ben Hughes took several strong marks around the fifty metre line, but his side squandered their chances of a quarter time lead with their inaccuracy towards goal. Collingwood held a slim four point lead at quarter time.
Casey stamped their authority on the game in the second term, piling on seven goals to three. The story of the first half was the exceptional form of Casey gun forward Jesse Hogan who was dominant all day, even when switched to defence. The Scorpions hit the front by two points at the 16 minute mark of the second quarter with a goal to Jake Spencer. More Casey goals followed as Hogan added two in a row, then Jake Best capped off a successful term for the visitors to help his team to a 19 point lead at the long break.
Collingwood’s Andrew Krakouer moved to half-back in the third term after a quiet first half, big man Quinten Lynch was moved into the ruck. In a scrappy third term, the first goal was not registered until the 14 minute mark by Casey’s Mitch Gent. Collingwood then kicked back to back goals to cut the margin to 16 points. Collingwood kept in touch, and only trailed by 17 points at the last change.
Daniel Nicholls dribbled one home from the boundary line for Casey, and the margin was quickly 27 points. Pie Matthew Boland took a great pack mark and goaled one minute later, and the home side was finishing full of run.
Goals to co-captain Jack Hellier, Kyle Martin and Boland quickly followed, and the Victoria Park crowd found voice. Collingwood only trailed by 8 points at the 27 minute, but were unable to score again, eventually beaten by the siren.
Collingwood are home to Williamstown next Sunday, while Casey are at home to Geelong in the top of the ladder clash.
Photo: Dave Savell
Last Modified on 30/07/2013 11:25