Casey Scorpions fans have had to endure their fourth nail biting finish to a match this season, with their side leaving it till the final seconds to steal victory away from North Ballarat last Sunday. With the lead changing regularly in the final term, Sam Blease kicked the sealer the give the home side a one point win, as Dale Fenney and Anthony Stanguts report.
North Ballarat came out firing in the first quarter kicking their first goal in the opening minute to Aaron Black. Minutes later Myles Sewell goaled to give the Roosters an early 12 point lead. Casey and North Ballarat both had multiple goal kickers in the first quarter with the next four goals going to Casey’s Tim Smith and North Ballarat’s Derick Micallef. Casey kicked a late goal to leave them trailing by 24 points at quarter time.
The second quarter started with Ricky Petterd and Sam Blease kicking goals in the opening 5 minutes for Casey. 16 minutes of hard fought defensive footy ticked over before Casey again peppered the scoreboard with Michael Riseley adding another Scorpions goal. North Ballarat were desperate for a goal with Casey getting the opening 4, and Micallef finally broke the goal drought for the visitors in the second term kicking his third. Casey kicked a late reply through William Petropoulos levelling the scores at 49 a piece at half time.
The second half started with a free kick in the goal square going Casey’s way, Riseley taking the opportunity to slot through his second. Todd Goldstein looked dangerous all game for North Ballarat, and added the quick reply. The rest of the quarter went goal for goal, with both sides benefiting from free kicks around goal. At three quarter time Casey fans were bracing themselves for another close one, as North Ballarat led by 1 straight goal coming in to the last quarter.
Within the first minute of the last quarter Casey goaled through Jamie Bennell. This was quickly followed up with a goal to Jack Fitzpatrick giving Casey an early 5 point lead.
Lachlan George got the Roosters on the board in the final term, wrestling back a one point lead in their favour before Blease kicked the reply 10 minutes in to return Casey to a 5 point lead. The lead continued the change in a tense final term, with neither team able to kick away. Aaron Black gave North Ballarat a one goal lead at the 21 minute mark, and minutes later Driscoll played on, running straight into an open goal square to give the Roosters a 12 point lead.
Rian McGough halved North Ballarat’s lead back to six points, and a behind saw Casey five points down at the 29 minute mark. Thomas Couch then put Casey back in front by 1 point, and the home crowd went wild with the final term already over 30 minutes.
From the centre bounce, the tap went straight down to Matt Campbell who burst out of the centre bombing the ball down to Goldstein who marked in the goal square to goal and silence the home crowd at the 33 minute mark.
Casey got the quick advantage out of the middle down into their forwardline, but a free kick was given North Ballarat’s way. The umpire blew the whistle for play on, and Blease laid a quick tackle to have a holding the ball decision go his way. Blease snapped a goal around the corner giving the Casey Scorpions a last second victory. At the 37.11 minute mark, the siren sounded, Casey winning by one point.
Brett Lovett although please by his sides fourth narrow win of the season, was critical of aspects of their game.
“As far as our performance I thought we didn’t use the footy very well at all. I was happy with the win but I’m sure we could play a whole lot better than that.
“We played young Evan Panozza on Billy Driscoll so I thought he shut him down pretty well.
“I thought Jamie Bennell held up for most of the game. I also thought Sam Blease played his best game for us,” Lovett said.
Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald was pleased with his sides fight in the final term, thinking they had sealed the win late in the game.
“I was happy with our effort we were terrific in the last quarter we’ve showed the benchmark effort that I am looking for.
“I thought we won the game when Todd Goldstein kicked that goal but Casey kicked a fantastic goal which got them a very close win.”
Casey have won 4 games now all under a goal but take a 1 point win down to Simonds Stadium this week against Geelong. North Ballarat has a bye.
Pic - Casey celebrate Sam Blease winning goal. Photo: Morgan Hancock
Last Modified on 01/05/2012 17:54