The Casey Scorpions remain unbeaten in 2013 after demolishing Essendon at Windy Hill in Round 3 Peter Jackson VFL action last Saturday. In fine but cool conditions and in front of another good crowd of predominately Bomber faithful, the Scorpions were impressive winning by a whopping 83 points 25.12.162 to 11.13.79 as Shane Goss reports.
Quick goals to Jake Best and small forward Nathan Page had the Bombers on the back foot early as Scorpions midfielders David Rodan and James Magner found the Sherrin, creating opportunities for their forwards upfield.
Essendon squandered chances in front of goal before Ben Duscher kicked truly after receiving a handball from former Gippsland Power player Anthony Tipungwuti. Page kicked his second shortly after for the Scorpions and was proving a handful for the Bomber defenders.
201cm 19-year-old father-son recruit, Joe Daniher, marked and converted to the delight of the home crowd and then Jacob Thompson goaled to leave Essendon just four points down at quarter-time.
The Scorpions had some breathing space early into the second quarter when Rodan goaled before a 50m penalty against Tipungwuti allowed Josh Tynan to increase the margin to 17 points.
Aerialist Kyle Hardingham had the crowd cheering with a great mark as the Bombers struggled to stay in touch. Essendon’s big-man stocks had been reduced before the game when Scott Gumbleton was a late withdrawal for AFL duties later that day. The move benefitted Scorpions ruckman Jake Spencer, who dominated his opponent, former Sandringham player Michael Sikora, who battled manfully against the odds. Page and Rodan were continuing to be a headache and when the later scored truly after marking mid-way through the quarter the Scorpions had shot out to a four goal lead.
Rory Taggert goaled following a mistake by the Bombers defence in the goal-square and it was looking all too easy for the Scorpions.
Good work from Spencer and Best resulted in a goal to Jack Fitzpatrick at full forward for Casey before Best kicked truly to extend the lead out to 34 points and the danger signs were well and truly up for Essendon.
Bombers skipper Matthew Bate got one back after a lucky bounce and then followed up with a pass to Cory Dell'Olio who found Daniher high above his opponent in the goal square. Again the Bomber faithful rose to their feet as the deficit was reduced to 22 points.
Thomas Couch hit back for Casey nearing half- time to quell the Bombers revival however and at half-time the Scorpions went to the sheds with a 28-point lead.
Shortly after play resumed Page snared his third and talented forward Jesse Hogan quickly followed with two goals blowing the margin out to 46 points. Troy Davis and Mitch Clisby were solid in defence for the Scorpions as the Bombers struggled to find an ally for Daniher up forward. The Scorpions however, had many; Taggert registered his second to make it 52 points.
Hogan was becoming influential in the third term and he found defender James Strauss wandering forward for another.
Jordan Mackenzie was staking a claim for an AFL recall as Scorpions players continued to stream goalwards. When Rodan kicked his third the difference was more than 10 goals.
Daniel Nicholls kicked the Scorpions seventh goal for the term as little resistance was being shown by the Bombers. About the only cheers coming from the crowd now was whenever Daniher went near the ball. He kicked his third and Essendon’s only goal for the quarter after again marking strongly overhead.
Coach Hayden Skipworth wouldn't have been happy with his teams endeavour during the term. The Scorpions run and work at the stoppages overpowering the Bombers eight goals to one in the quarter. At the final change the Scorpions led by 69 points.
Daniher marked to kick his fourth to start the final term but the Bomber joy was short-lived as Hogan replied with his third. Couch dribbled a smart goal from deep in the pocket to increase the lead to 70 points as the shadows of the stands lengthened.
Bate kicked his second to warm the Bombers fans a little but it had been a dirty day for the loyal fans at Windy Hill. Casey had been dominant from the outset and with good players all over the ground they were always in control. Fitzpatrick’s third made the difference 75 points.
Hogan kicked his fourth deep into time-on to equal Daniher’s efforts at the other end, their talent a shining light in a match that was one-way traffic from quarter-time on.
Casey’s best included Mackenzie and Magner who both finished with 31 possessions along with Rodan (24 and three goals). For the Bombers, Ariel Steinberg tried hard across half-back along with Will Hams on the wing, Hardingham and Daniher with his four goals.
The Bombers face North Ballarat away next round whilst the undefeated Scorpions are at home to Williamstown.
Photo: Dave Savell
Last Modified on 22/04/2013 22:45