It was a day of nailbiting results to conclude the split Round 1 of Peter Jackson VFL action, with Casey Scorpions and Northern Blues winners.
The two sides can contrasting afternoons, with Casey Scorpions leading for most of the day, before a final term charge by the Bombers, while the Norther Blues trailed till midway through the final term, before they were able to hold on for a memorable victory.
Battle of the Jetta's
Casey Scorpions opened their season account in a cliffhanger, almost seeing the game clip away from them in the dying moments of the final term.
After Essendon produced a goalless third term, and Casey led by 25 points as the clock ticked into time on, Casey looked home. But the Bombers made their final assault. Three goals in a row to Zac Merrett got them within a goal, then Josh Mellington levelled the scores 32 minutes into the final term. The Scorpions were left shocked at Essendon kicked their fifth unanswered goal to steal the lead, with Leroy Jetta putting the home side in front by six points.
However it was a Jetta of their own – Neville – that would reclaim the lead for Casey, and when Sam Blease nailed a goal on the run at the 36 minute mark, it was enough to record a heart stopping win for Casey.
Jordie McKenzie (31 disposals), Jetta (3 goals), Mitch Clisby 28 disposals and Dan Nicholson (29) were among the best for the visitors, while Kurt Aylett, Alex McLeod and Shaun Edward led the way for Essendon; Jetta and Merrett with three goals each.
Blues find revenge on the scoreboard
The Northern Blues have overrun Williamstown in the second half to claim a hard fought four-point win today at Visy Park.
Trailing by 37 points, 10 minutes into the third term, the Blues were able to cut the margin to just two straight kicks at the final change. Two third term goals to Jack Anthony up forward, and improved work rate from Nick Graham (24 disposals) and Patrick Cripps (34) in the middle helped the home team back into the game.
Early in the final term Williamstown kept finding the answered through Anthony Anastasio (4 goals), but goals to Tom Temay (his fourth) and Anthony (his third) gave the Blues the lead – one which they would not relinquish despite a spirit final flurry from the Seagulls to draw within three points through a late Ben Jolley goal.
Heath Scotland, Levi Casboult and Pat Cripps were named best for Northern, with Cam Lockwood, Ben Davies and Anastasio the best for Williamstown.
Last Modified on 06/04/2014 18:31