WHEN the team sheets were announced on Thursday night, the Casey-Northern Bullants stoush was labelled as a cracker.
Fourth place on the line at Casey Fields and an AFL-loaded Ants side at Darren Harris's disposal had the Preston club quietly confident of an upset victory.
An engine room of VFL stars Jarrod McCorkell, Adam Iacobucci and Tyson Thomas complimented by Blues Ed Curnow, Brock McLean and Kane Lucas is as strong as they come at second-tier level.
Throw in a forward line boasting AFL-bound Ahmed Saad, and Blues Ryan Houlihan, Jordan Russell and Setanta O'hAilpin and the Ants had the fire power to win.
To cap it off a defence boosted by Michael Jamison and with Shaun Hampson and Nick Meese sharing the ruck duties and informed observers were hard-pressed to tip the Scorpions.
By halftime the contest was over. Casey led by 53 points and had cemented the double chance.
An hour later and the Ants had been embarrassed. A 100-point loss on the eve of finals is never kind.
Curnow did not get near it opposed to Wade Lees. O'hAilpin failed to fire, as did McCorkell, Thomas and Houlihan, while Melbourne-listed Max Gawn and Robbie Campbell dominated the hit-outs.
Ouch.
Ten goals to Brendan Fevola, four opposed to Jamison in the first half, capped one of the best day's in recent Casey history as captain Kyle Matthews made a five-goal return from serious brain injuries. Stunned Ants coach Darren Harris was lost for words after his team's "extremely disappointing" showing after the 28.12 (180) to 11.14 (80) defeat the heaviest in his reign.
Click HERE for the full report from Leader's Sam Landsberger
Last Modified on 31/08/2011 16:55