By Jack Heverin
A severely undermanned Casey Scorpions outfit continued their outstanding run of form with another terrific team performance, defeating Coburg by 33 points on Saturday.
Going into the match with 11 changes from the side that brushed Collingwood aside last week, Casey showed the immense depth of their list in the well-rounded 13.9 (87) to 7.12 (54) victory at Casey Fields in the ABC TV match of the round.
It was the Scorpions who kicked against the wind in the first quarter, and they somehow managed to take a small lead into quarter time. In what was a four to five goal breeze, Casey showed their willingness to put their head over the ball and do the hard work.
Coburg tried to virtually lock the game down in the second term, though the Scorpions continued to stick to the team rules and play through the middle of the ground and look for targets in their forward 50.
Taking a 24 point lead into half time, the inexperienced Scorpions were clearly upstaging their opposition, which featured AFL veterans such as Joel Bowden, Kayne Pettifer, Mark Coughlan and Shane Tuck.
Despite having nine scoring shots for the quarter, Coburg were still unable to lead the match. The Tigers used the wind with great effect and based on their performance for the term gave the impression that the last quarter would be a tense battle.
However, the Scorpions last quarter has been their best all season, and once again they dropped the hammer on their opposition and blew the game wide open with a four goal final term, while restricting Coburg to just one point.
At no stage during the match did the Scorpions look like a side that had undergone severe remodelling, such was the contribution from all 23 players. With Casey’s AFL affiliate Melbourne struggling, it is likely they will start to put players in for surgery, which will impact the quality of the Scorpions side from week to week.
However, after watching the Scorpions second-tier players step up, they are assured to still field a strong side in the finals.
Ben Waite was one of the true success stories from the match, kicking four goals from his post at full forward. In just his third senior game for the season, Waite was strong in the air and also in the one on one duels.
James Wall was awarded the ABC TV man of the match for his role across half back, particularly when the Scorpions were kicking against the breeze, thwarting many of Coburg’s forward thrusts. Wall had 19 possessions and looks a certainty to again make the VFL team of the year.
Ben MacReadie and Dave Collins made the most of their opportunity in the seniors playing great team roles, while Michael Stockdale continues to impress with his ability to read the play and win his own footy.
For Coburg, Nick Liddle tried hard with three goals, while Coughlan had plenty of the ball with 30 possessions. Graham Polak showed that his recovery is progressing well, while Shane Tuck worked hard after his surprise omission from Richmond’s senior side.
Next week the Scorpions will travel to Skilled Stadium to take on Geelong, who need to keep winning if they wish to play finals this season, while Coburg take on Box Hill, who are in the same boat.
Casey Scorpions 3.2 7.6 9.7 13.9 (87)
| Coburg Tigers 2.5 3.6 7.11 7.12 (54)
GOALS:Casey Scorpions: Waite 4 Hughes 2 Zomer Liddle MacReadie Creed Stockdale Buckley Faulks
Coburg Tigers: Liddle 3 Pettifer Thomson Raines Hughes
BEST:Casey Scorpions: MacReadie Stockdale Faulks Collins Waite Wall
Coburg Tigers: Rance Tuck Coughlan Polak Liddle Horne
Last Modified on 27/07/2009 10:45