THE Casey Scorpions are back on the winners’ list and should find themselves back inside the top eight of the VFL ladder following a convincing win over Geelong at Casey Fields on Saturday.
It wet and windy conditions the Scorpions were never really troubled after kicking the first six goals of the game, running out 48-point winners – 14.9 (93) to 6.9 (45).
The win not only keeps the Scorpions in touch with the upper end of the ladder, but also sees them move two games clear of the chasing pack, which includes Geelong and the Northern Blues.
Wearing their pink jumpers in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the Scorpions took full advantage of the wind blowing to the southern end of the ground to open up a significant break from the Cats.
Ruckman Mark Jamar, who was named Casey’s best player, took a big, contested mark 30 metres from goal and converted for the game’s first major six minutes in.
Casey-listed players Nate Parades, debutant Tom Papley (from Gippsland Power), Jordy Moncrieff and Ed Morris all hit the scoreboard as the Scorpions took a 31-point lead into quarter-time.
Much of the crowd was expecting Geelong to come out firing in the second term with the help of the wind, but Casey dominated play early in the quarter with Jordie McKenzie kicking a goal to finish a brilliant passage of play and extend the Scorpions lead.
But led by Brownlow medallist Jimmy Bartel, who was in everything through the midfield, in his return from injury, the Cats hit back with consecutive majors.
Ben Newton kicked a great goal from a stoppage inside forward 50 to break Geelong’s momentum before the visitors once again kicked consecutive goals to stay in the match.
Unrelenting pressure from Casey led to a Jayden Hunt shot after the siren. The 20 year-old kicked truly to give the Scorpions a 21-point advantage at the long interval.
Rain started to fall and make conditions even worse in the third term but the Scorpions relished the contest led by Jamar, Viv Michie, James Harmes and McKenzie through the midfield.
Former Cat Shannon Byrnes was busy on the outer side of the ground, taking a team-high nine marks and highlighting his class with the first goal of the third term.
Newton and Papley both kicked their second as the Scorpions took the contest away from the Cats. A late goal from Geelong gave it a pulse at three quarter-time with the home side up by 35 points.
Casey coach Justin Plapp praised his players for their first three quarters but urged them to finish off strongly in the final term.
Max King took a couple of encouraging marks in the final term but missed both opportunities in front of goal, with Nathan Page, Papley and Hunt among the goals to cap off an emphatic win.
Harmes provided the highlight of the day, flying high for a mark, which was unlucky not to be paid with the ball spilling free when he landed. The Melbourne rookie led Casey’s possession getters with 26 along with Michie whose tally included nine inside 50s.
Jamar had a good battle with Geelong’s Dawson Simpson throughout the day. The veteran ruckman picked up 12 touches, four marks, five inside 50s and kicked a goal.
Jack Fitzpatrick was solid once again taking eight marks and collecting 18 touches, Newton kicked two goals from 15 possessions and laid nine tackles, McKenzie was at his best with 25 disposals while Hunt finished with three majors along with Papley, who suggested he will have a bright future.
Casey takes on Port Melbourne on Sunday, July 12 at Casey Fields from 2pm.
Click back to melbournefc.com.au later this week for a round-up by coach Justin Plapp.
