A gutsy Casey Scorpions are back on the winners list with a remarkable come from behind win against the Bendigo Bombers at Casey Fields on Sunday.
Spurred by ex-AFL forward Brendan Fevola’s five-goal haul, the Scorpions outmuscled their opponents 19.11.125 to 14.14.98, coming away 27 point winners as James Hunter-Smith reports.
Bendigo were on top early, dominating the play and the scoreboard for much of the first half, but were eventually ran off their feet with consistent efforts from Jeremy Howe and Kelvin Lawrence, alongside an inspiring third quarter effort from Fevola.
Casey coach Brad Gotch said he was delighted with the mental toughness shown by his players, branding the win as one of his best.
“I thought it was just a true test of character today, whether they could rise to the challenge,” he said.
“It’s probably one of our best wins in my time.”
Gotch said it was his team’s work rate that allowed them to turn it around in the second half, especially at the stoppages.
“I think our stoppage starting points were much better. So we made a bit more of a contest,” he said.
“We willed our way back into that contest.”
Bendigo dominated early, winning out of the middle and booting the first four majors, including goals to Tory Dickson and Ricky Dyson.
Sam Blease and Lawrence kept the Scorpions in touch with two quick goals, however a 50-metre penalty in the dying stages of the quarter allowed Bomber Mark Williams to slot home a goal, sending his team into quarter time ahead by 27 points.
Casey came out firing early in the second quarter after a grilling from coach Brad Gotch in the huddle, who told his team to lift their intensity and hunger for the ball.
The home team dominated clearances and won most of the contested ball, eventually reducing the margin to five points with goals to Howe, Lawrence and a massive 55-metre bomb from Tom McNamara.
However, Bendigo quickly responded as the work rate and intensity of their midfield lifted, notably from Michael Quinn and Alwyn Davey.
Three late goals to the Bombers saw them enter the main break leading by 29 points.
An eight goal to one third term saw the Scorpions take control of the game, led by an inspiring Brendan Fevola, who slotted four majors within 15 minutes to spur on his teammates, and the increasingly vocal crowd.
Bendigo’s Matthew Little reduced the margin to 5 points with a much-needed goal, but Lawrence’s third in the dying seconds stretched the lead back out to 10 points going into the final break.
Bendigo tried hard in the last quarter, but were simply outclassed and ran off their feet by an impressive Scorpions outfit, who eventually ran away with a 19.11.125 to 14.14.98 victory.
After the game, Bendigo coach Shannon Grant said he was disappointed by his side’s inability to maintain their early intensity throughout the whole contest.
“Our work rate and our intensity around the footy dropped off, and we just couldn’t sustain over four quarters, ” he said.
“Guys were good in patches but be just need to be better, consistently over four quarters.
“To Casey’s credit, they played really good footy in the second half, so credit where credit’s due.”
This week Bendigo are faced with a huge challenge as they play undefeated Port Melbourne at Windy Hill, while Casey have a bye.
Photo: Damian Visentini
Last Modified on 17/05/2011 17:53