THE Werribee Tigers have come from a 28-point half-time deficit to overrun the Casey Scorpions by 13 points at Casey Fields on Sunday.
The Scorpions, who now drop to eighth place on the VFL ladder after a second consecutive loss, failed to overcome trying conditions and a gallant Tigers outfit - losing 12.10 (82) to 10.9 (69).
The familiar gale greeted the players, but heavy rain made the Scorpions task all the more difficult during a hard-fought final term.
Making use of the wind in the opening term, the visitors kicked the opening three goals, but a late goal from Tom Muir deep into red-time gave the Scorpions a lift heading into the first change after kicking an inaccurate 1.6 to Werribee's 3.2 for the quarter.
The inaccuracy of the first quarter was quickly forgotten as the Scorpions played some scintillating football in the second term.
A goal from developing forward Max King and a long goal, which bounced through from Dean Terlich, gave the Scorpions the lead midway through the term. King's second and goals from Ben Newton, Jimmy Toumpas, Christian Salem and Casey-listed player Nathan Page capped off a huge seven goal quarter for the home side, handing them a 28-point advantage at the long interval.
The game was far from won however and the Tigers responded with four goals to take back the lead 16 minutes into the third quarter.
Casey's Angus Scott regained the lead and Newton's second major extended the margin out to 11 points as the clock clicked into time-on. Three more goals from Werribee gave them an eight-point buffer they so badly needed at the three quarter time break.
Heavy rain in the last term and game-ending injuries to King (hamstring) and Terlich (concussion) made it incredibly tough as the Tigers were content to lock the game up with stoppage after stoppage.
Aidan Riley had a golden opportunity to reduce to the Tigers lead at about the 16 minute-mark, his set shot straying wide and not troubling the scorers. The first score of the final term, a goal from Werribee's Michael Sodomaco, was the only score of the quarter and was enough to kill off any hopes of a comeback Casey win.
For the Scorpions Jack Fitzpatrick shook off last weeks foot injury to be among the sides best players, particularly in the first half, finishing with nine marks and 18 disposals.
The midfield was led by Aidan Riley and Newton. Riley laid a team-high 12 tackles and had 28 possessions while Newton had 23 touches, seven tackles, four inside 50's and two majors.
Matt Jones was another to find plenty of ball picking up 27 touches and six tackles, Jordie McKenzie was never far from the action with 22 disposals and nine tackles and Mitchell White was lively with 19 possessions.
Salem, Rohan Bail and Toumpas all had 15 touches, while ruckmen Mark Jamar and Jake Spencer had 14 disposals each with the pair combining to win the hitouts by 19.
Casey will travel to Box Hill City Oval to take on the second placed Hawks on Sunday from 2pm.
Click back to melbournefc.com.au later this week for a full round-up by coach Justin Plapp.
