By Jack Heverin
Casey Scorpions have stayed within reach of the top half of the ladder after a comfortable 36 point victory over Geelong on Sunday afternoon.
Playing with the full compliment of Melbourne listed players, the Scorpions were more polished and classy than their opposition in the 16.15 (111) to 11.9 (75) victory.
In perfect condition at Casey Fields, the Scorpions looked switched on right from the first bounce. Despite kicking an inaccurate 3.6 in the first term, the Scorpions running game was causing havoc against an inexperienced Geelong side.
After being asked by coach Peter German in his quarter time address to keep the forward line open, the Scorpions forward line began to function effectively.
Casey’s dual forward setup of Michael Newton and Russell Robertson, who clearly felt he had a point to prove after being dropped from the senior side, relished the space to lead into and the Scorpions midfielders honoured their leads with precision field kicking.
The Scorpions took a 23 point lead into the main break after Geelong forward Tom Allwright missed a shot after the final siren to bring the margin closer.
After half time the Scorpions took control of the contest, winning clean ball at the clearances while their midfielders began to find plenty of space on the vast expanses of Casey Fields.
Despite again being wasteful when going forward, Casey played the type of football which will make them a difficult side to beat in dry conditions.
Trailing by 29 points at the start of the final term, the Cats kicked the first two majors of the final term, though a come from behind victory looked unlikely as the Scorpions continued to rotate their players off the bench.
Livewire Liam Jurrah put his hand up for senior selection with three goals, including two in the final term to put the icing on the cake for the Scorpions in front of their vocal home crowd.
Robertson provided a target up forward kicking three goals, while exciting the crowd with his spectacular leaping. Michael Newton bobbed up for three goals also.
The under rated Danny Hughes again flew under the radar to kick three goals, all at important times in the match, while Ricky Petterd showed his class with two majors.
Casey’s run and spread style of play really brings the best out of their midfielders, and Shane Valenti and skipper Kyle Matthew were two players in particular who made the most of their possessions.
For Geelong, James Podsiadly presented well all afternoon to kick three goals, while Taylor Hunt ran from end to end all afternoon in an impressive display. There was very little else to take out of the match for the Cats, who looked slow around the ground at times.
The Scorpions will look to continue their winning form when they take on Werribee next week in the ABC TV Match of the Round.
Last Modified on 01/06/2009 10:18