Scorpions on the march. Casey’s senior side warms up for their clash as the scoreboard shows the result of the reserves match. And, though the board says it’s a lunch for residents, it was actually promoting the President’s Luncheon. 68633 Picture: Morgan Hancock
By Chad Vanestrop
“WELL, that feels better,” is how Casey Scorpions coach Brad Gotch greeted his troops after Sunday’s uplifting 61-point victory against Sandringham.
A quartet of Melbourne stars (Liam Jurrah, Adem Maric, Danny Nicholson and Colin Sylvia), on the wrong end of the selection axe, bolstered the Scorpions looking to make amends following last week’s shock away loss to Geelong.
Easily the biggest crowd seen at Casey Fields this season, they gathered in anticipation after a horror week for AFL-affiliate club Melbourne.
The game began with five minutes of tightly contested football followed by the Scorpions drawing first blood when they opened scoring.
A lacklustre Zebras – looking for their first win in four weeks – rarely entered the forward 50 during the first stanza.
However, despite dominating much of the first quarter, Casey went into the first break with a slender 15-point lead.
The home side was gifted its first-second-quarter goal, thanks to three consecutive 50m penalties from an undisciplined Zebras outfit.
The game was played at a frantic pace early in the second quarter, with stoppages a rarity.
Turnovers proved to be costly for the Zebras in a six-goal-to-none second quarter.
Brendan Fevola booted two goals and selflessly handballed, after marking 30m out, to put the home side in control at the main break.
The dominance of Casey was evident, as the Zebras only entered their 50m zone 13 times in the first half. And they could manage only three behinds, two of which were rushed.
At half time, coach Brett Lovett was critical of his side’s lack of accountability, and urged his forwards to lead up the ground.
The third quarter began with two Zebra goals within a minute, and it appeared Lovett’s half time address had resurrected his side.
However, Neville Jetta’s run off half back put an end to the brief revival by the visitors.
“Neville was outstanding with three goals,” Gotch said.
Despite two goals from Zebra forward Will Johnson, a five-goal-to-three third quarter in favour of the home side, put the result beyond doubt.
Six goals from the Zebras in the final term prevented a total blowout. The final scoreline of 18.12 (120) to 9.5. (59) was in stark contrast to the last time the two teams met, on a windy May day at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
On that occasion, the game was decided in the final stages of the last quarter, when the Scorpions prevailed by 10 points.
Gotch put the win down to the level of commitment shown by his team.
“We were a totally different team because of our commitment. We got a little respect back today,” Gotch added.
Cale Morton (32 possessions) and Brendan Fevola (five goals) were among the best players for the home side.
Fifth-placed Casey travel to Multiplex Oval this week to take on 12th-placed Coburg – with a top four position of offer for a win. Sandringham host eighth-placed Box Hill as they look to keep their finals hopes alive.
