THE Casey Scorpions started their 2015 VFL campaign in style with a 52-point win over Frankston at Casey Fields on Sunday.
The Scorpions dominated almost every facet of the game but inaccuracy cost them what could of been a bigger win - finishing 13.19.91 to the Dolphins 5.9.39.
Several Melbourne listed players continued their push for a recall to the senior side with Viv Michie, Matt Jones and Cam Pederson impressing in the trying conditions.
It wasn't a game that will feature on many highlight reels, with strong winds and soggy conditions making clean play a rarity.
Frankston had the advantage of the wind in the first term but failed to capitalise with the Scorpions able to lock the ball down in the defensive half of the ground.
Pederson kicked the sole major of the first term with a bomb from outside 50 against the wind. Tensions ran high after the quarter time siren with ruckman Jake Spencer in the middle of a push and shove which attracted all players on the way to their respective huddles.
The Scorpions took control of the game when Aidan Riley booted two goals in the space of 30 seconds to start the second quarter. The first was a converted free kick - the second are from some text book crumbing off the hands of Max Gawn who was a strong presence inside forward 50.
Approaching time-on Pedersen clamped two strong marks and had kicked his second for the day before Rohan Bail extended the home sides lead heading into the main break.
Bail was part of the games more impressive passages of play in the third quarter, receiving a handball at half back and streaming through the middle of the ground before kicking to Pedersen's advantage at centre half forward. Bail followed up and got a handball back and eventually kicked a goal but not before some mucking around in the goal square threatened to derail a certain goal.
Max Gawn continued to be a a big target up forward and kicked his sole major for the game in the last quarter. He could have had a three or four goal outing if not for his kicking, finishing the day with one goal and four behinds.
Dean Terlich finished the game with an impressive long goal from 60 metres out.
Viv Michie led the Scorpions not only with his 27 touches but also with nine tackles. Matt Jones was another to find plenty of the ball with 25 disposals, Jimmy Toumpas had 24, Adam Riley 23 and Jordie McKenzie 20 while Rohan Bail kicked three goals to go with his 18 possessions.
Father-son recruit Billy Stretch didn't look out of place in his first VFL game, gathering 19 touches and a team-high seven inside 50's.
Jack Fitzpatrick was solid in the back half, cutting off a lot of the Dolphins forward thrusts with 10 marks coming from his 20 disposals. Pedersen was also impressive in the air, taking nine marks.
It could be argued that Casey should have won by a lot more such was their dominance in key areas of the game. The Scorpions won the disposal count by a staggering 195 and had 20 more entries inside forward 50.
They will need to be more polished when they travel to take on the reigning premiers Footscray next Sunday at Whitten Oval.
