By Luke Mason
Amid a swirling, flukey breeze, the Casey Scorpions made light work of Collingwood, downing the Pies by 62-points at Sandringham's Trevor Barker Beach Road Oval.
The strong wind favoured the southern end of the ground, and the pre-game estimation was that the winner would be determined by the side who were able to make the most of their chances when kicking into the wind. Thus, the toss was of vital importance, and Casey drew first blood, but were unable to make the best of their many opportunities, booting a slightly wasteful four goals and five behinds, to Collingwood's one straight goal in the opening term.
Due to the strength of the wind, much of the action centred on the Scorpions' half forward line, where Collingwood's defence, led by Scott Reed, Ben Reid and Martin Clarke, were forced to repel attack after attack. Yet try as they might, they proved unsuccessful in effectively finding targets past the centre line, for the likes of skipper Kyle Matthews and Melbourne rookie Jordie McKenzie continued to pump the ball deep inside Casey's fifty.
But despite a late first term goal to Ryan Cook, it set the trend for Collingwood's afternoon, as the Pies could only muster one goal in each of the first three quarters. They wasted a series of opportunities inside fifty when kicking with the breeze in the second quarter, nailing only one of nine scoring shots.
In contrast, Casey managed a far more efficient three goals and one behind, stretching the half time lead out to 28-points. If Collingwood was to get back into the game, it required a big third quarter against the wind. But once again, it was Casey who stole the show, with the likes of Matthew Newton and Brad Miller in attack proving too strong and experienced for young Magpies Ben Reid and Tobias Thoolen, not to mention the help they received from their fleet-footed onballers, led by Matthews and Shane Valenti.
Leading by 52-points going into the three quarter time huddle, Casey were never going to let the match slip, despite the Pies best efforts. Chris Bryan was able to display the importance of the wind at the southern end, booting a 70-metre goal from inside the centre square late in the quarter. It was his third goal of the afternoon, but little consolation, as the Scorpions ran away with a 62-point victory
Although the two sides sat at fourth (Casey) and fifth (Collingwood) on the ladder at the weekend's conclusion, the gulf in class on the day was evident, as the more experienced Scorpions were able to adjust to the conditions better, with many Melbourne-listed players no doubt welcoming the opportunity to return to what was their VFL home for nine years (through their successful affiliation with Sandringham).
Casey will look to continue to press their claims as a genuine premiership contender as they play host to the Coburg Tigers next week at Casey Fields, whilst Collingwood will enjoy the benefits of a week off, before tackling the red-hot Northern Bullants at Cramer Street's NAB Oval the following Sunday afternoon.
Casey Scorpions: 4.5 7.6 11.14 16.19 (115)
Collingwood: 1.0 2.8 3.10 7.11 (53)
Goals – Casey Scorpions: Newton 4, Stockdale 2, Hughes 2, Donchi, Whelan, Scanlon, Miller, McGough, Mohr, Collins, Matthews.
Collingwood: Bryan 3, Sidebottom, Dawes, Reed, Cook.
Best – Casey Scorpions: Matthews, McKenzie, Valenti, Johnson, Wall, Newton. Collingwood: Cook, Keefe, Reed, Blight, Clarke, Sidebottom.
Reports: Nil.
At Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
Last Modified on 21/07/2009 10:06