By Jack Heverin
An inaccurate Casey Scorpions have cruised to a comfortable 50 point victory over Werribee at Casey Fields on Saturday.
In what was the ABC TV Match of the Round, the Scorpions had plenty of opportunities to make the winning margin even greater in the 17.18 (120) to 9.16 (70) victory.
To raise awareness for Breast Cancer, the Scorpions took the field in unfamiliar pink jumpers, however their inability to make the most of their opportunities inside forward 50 were all too familiar for Casey.
Despite the first term being a very sloppy affair, the Scorpions went into quarter time with a two goal lead, sparked by livewire Liam Jurrah who kicked the first two majors of the match.
Casey’s pressure inside their forward half was terrific early, however their delivery to leading targets was ordinary. In his quarter time address, Scorpions coach Peter German implored his charges to tidy up their skills, particularly when going forward.
Casey began to wrestle control of the match away from their opposition in the second term, though they were unable to convert that dominance into any substantial lead. A late goal to Alex Silvagni, in his 50th match for Casey, gave the home side a 16 point lead at the main break.
Both sides were only able to manage two goals in the third term, though it was Werribee that responded to an old-fashioned spray from Coach Simon Atkins and began to win the ball around the stoppages.
The Scorpions still had plenty in the tank however, slamming on seven goals to one in a superb final quarter display to close out the match in front of their home crowd.
The momentum shifted back in the Scorpions favour when Neville Jetta goaled from point blank range after Werribee gun Matt Riggio gave a foolish 50 metre penalty away for high contact on Lynden Dunn. Riggio was subsequently reported and will face the tribunal during the week.
For the Scorpions, Brad Miller, who had an obvious point to prove after being dropped from the Melbourne side, was named the ABC TV player of the match for his all around performance. Miller kicked three goals and had 21 possessions, to go with 15 marks.
Neville Jetta was lively up forward with three goals, while Jurrah again staked his claim for senior selection with three goals. Jurrah’s composure when the football is in his hands is sure to hold him in good stead when he eventually makes his AFL debut.
Lynden Dunn was the chief ball winner for the Scorpions with 23 possessions, while utility James Wall had a solid game with 21. Jordie McKenzie flew under the radar for most of the afternoon with 22 touches.
Peter Faulks and Michael Stockdale were once again important down back for Casey, with both keeping their opponent quiet while winning their own footy.
For the undermanned Werribee, Michael Barlow was clearly the best man on the ground with 29 possessions. Barlow had a few opponents throughout the afternoon, though none were able to stop his pure ball-winning ability.
As the sole key forward for much of the contest, Marty Pask tried hard and presented a solid hit up target for the Tigers, though his inaccurate kicking of 1.4 hurt his side.
While a few other Tigers players tried hard, it was the Scorpions who were first to the ball for much of the afternoon and will be pleased with their performance.
Casey Scorpions 4.4 8.11 10.13 17.18 (120)
| Werribee Tigers 2.4 6.7 8.10 9.16 (70)
GOALS:Casey Scorpions: JETTA 4 Jurrah 4 Miller 3 Dowse Petterd Newton Wheatley Silvagni Dunn
Werribee Tigers: Goldstein 2 Baddeley Denton Obst Pask Howard Speight Barlow
BEST:Casey Scorpions: Silvagni Miller MacReadie Bartram Wall McKenzie
Werribee Tigers: Barlow Black Pask Goldstein Martiniello Gleeson
REPORTED PLAYERS:Casey Scorpions: Nil
Werribee Tigers: M Riggio (Werribee) for striking L Dunn (Casey Scorpions).
Last Modified on 09/06/2009 10:02