It was a game full of stoppages as the Casey Scorpions took on the Coburg Tigers at Casey Fields. In the cold and blustery conditions the Tigers mounted an amazing comeback to win their second game of the season against the Scorpions by ten points as Katelyn Pinal reports.
Casey got the jump early, kicking with a five goal breeze, but some fumbles from both sides saw a low scoring beginning to the game. Casey’s brilliant defensive pressure saw the ball kept within their fifty metre line for most of the first quarter while Coburg could not seem to find the right way to move the ball or create a links towards goal against the wind.
However in the second term, when they gained the use of the breeze, Coburg found a way to claw themselves back into the game. The Tigers booted three goals straight, pulling the margin back to only eight points going into the main break.
While Casey had the tougher pressure and cleaner hands, Coburg used the strategy seen in quarter as they held on to possession in their forward half for the majority of the term.
Casey had opportunities during the quarter, a snap from the relatively quiet Brendan Fevola, and Matthew Bate’s performance was a highlight as he tried to lift the Scorpions.
The second half saw a more aggressive Tigers outfit run onto the ground. There was much more movement of the ball from both sides but Coburg’s crumbers seemed to pick up the pace and pick up more of the loose ball.
Nason’s rocket pace stood out in this area, getting in under the packs. The game was littered with many stoppages, with the wind carrying the ball out of bounds on numerous occasions. Coburg continued to work hard to keep themselves in the game, being only four points down going into the last change.
Whilst Casey kicked the first goal of the last, the final quarter was all Coburg, rarely leaving their forward 50. Coburg held onto possession kicking three goals to give themselves a ten point lead and eventually the win.
David Gourdis was best on ground, doing a brilliant job in keeping Fevola to only three touches, along with some hard earned goals from Willie Wheeler.
The win was marred for Coburg with a few injury concerns, with Matthew White coming from the ground with a suspected medial strain that ended his hard working performance early.
Casey this week have an extra week to think about their loss with the bye, whilst Coburg Tigers will be full of confidence as they travel to take on their fellow Tigers in Werribee.
FINAL SCORE
Casey Scorpions 3.7 6.7 7.12 8.14 (62)
Coburg Tigers 0.1 4.11 6.14 9.18 (72)
Last Modified on 22/06/2011 15:22