CASEY has fallen agonisingly short of a home final, going down to Box Hill by two points in a thrilling encounter on Saturday.

Second spot on the VFL table was up for grabs at Box Hill City Oval, with both teams sitting on 12 wins for the year going into the clash, setting up an intriguing afternoon.

It was a depleted Casey side, having lost young forward Jesse Hogan to a knee injury a week earlier, as well as several injuries to Melbourne-listed players, stretching the depth of the team. The ruck stocks though were enhanced with the return of Mark Jamar, who, along with the inclusion of Max Gawn, made a formidable pairing.

The Scorpions started the game ferociously, with a high intensity through the midfield, and good forward pressure. Goals to Jamar and Daniel Nicholls early gave Casey a head start, however momentum switched midway through the term, and Matt Spangher and Sam Grimley had the Box Hill Hawks back on level pegging.

A 50 metre goal from Jake Best – the result of a brilliant chase and tackle – briefly regained the lead for Casey, before a late Hawks goal to Bryce Retzlaff saw Box Hill take a three-point lead into quarter time.

Retzlaff started the second term as he’d ended the first, putting through the opening goal, and when Spangher slotted his second, the Box Hill lead was stretched to 15. Casey did all the chasing, struggling to get clean possession on what was a soft, damp ground. The defence, however, held up strongly with James Sellar, Neville Jetta and Troy Davis all doing well to stifle the Box Hill forwards.

A late Casey goal to small forward Nathan Page brought the margin back to nine points going into the main break.

Again, though, it was Retzlaff who opened the scoring, and when the Hawks added the next two, the margin had blown out to 25 points and the Scorpions looked lost. 

An unlikely spark up forward was found, however, with Tom Gilles kicking consecutive majors, reducing the margin to 14 points and causing headaches for the Box Hill defence.

The Scorpions lifted across the ground.

Gawn threw his weight around and utilised his significant height advantage across the ground and Dom Barry started to have an influence along the wing, combining run and carry with some impressive foot skills.

When James Magner, who had been shifted forward in an effort to shake a persistent tag, slotted a roving goal, the Scorpions were well and truly in the hunt. The three quarter time siren sounded with Casey eight points in arrears.

Casey coach Rohan Welsh reminded his team what was at stake at the final huddle, and the Scorpions responded immediately through Page, who slotted through his second for the day.

Casey won the ball out of the middle of the ground, and the forwards peppered the goals, but were unable to convert. When Best missed a relatively simple set shot, the Scorpions took a slender lead, hitting the front for the first time since the opening term.

The lead was not to last, however, as Box Hill slotted two quick goals against the run of play to steal back the advantage, with the margin out to 12 points.

When all seemed done and dusted for Casey, it was again Gilles who stood up, kicking a wonderful set shot from deep in the pocket – his third for the day.

It appeared only a matter of time before the Scorpions would hit the front, with the ball spending a majority of its time within their forward 50, but they were unable to connect with the decisive blow.

The siren sounded with Casey two points adrift, having kicked two goals and seven behinds for the term.

Gawn fought hard the entire game and did his claim for senior selection no harm. Best continued his good form, while Gilles with three goals was strong up forward.

The Scorpions finals campaign kicks off against top-placed Geelong on Friday night.