A BEST on ground performance from Jesse Hogan led Casey to an eight-point win over Collingwood on Saturday.

Hogan, who will be eligible to play for Melbourne in 2014, had 25 disposals, took 12 marks and kicked three goals, while having a hand in several others. His contested marking was a feature of his game, as was his work ethic.

The strong wind sweeping across Victoria Park for much of the afternoon made conditions tough for players. Collingwood adapted to the conditions quicker, with Jackson Paine scoring the first goal of the game. Hogan opened the account for Casey shortly after, converting a strong mark from close range.

The Scorpions were getting first use of the ball through Jake Spencer in the ruck, and had the majority of the play, but the strong wind made it difficult to capitalise. Collingwood scored their second goal against the run of play late in the term, and took a slim four-point lead into the first break.

Collingwood again got the jump on the Scorpions in the second term, putting through the opening goal and stretching their lead, before a beautiful passage of play from half-back involving Neville Jetta, Dom Barry and Rory Taggert saw Jake Best score his first for the day.

Both teams then exchanged goals, before 10 minutes of utter dominance from Hogan turned the game. A pack mark and quick pass to Spencer 35 metres out resulted in a goal, putting Casey into the lead for the first time. Shortly after, Hogan forced a Collingwood error deep in defence, intercepting an errant handball and unselfishly gifting a goal to Rory Taggert, who was waiting eagerly in the goal square.

Two more forward entries resulted in two more strong marks from the rampant Hogan, who converted both opportunities. Suddenly the Scorpions were 22-points up.

Paine pegged one back for the Magpies, before Best, with his second for the term, was able to stretch the lead back to 19 points just before the half-time siren.

It was tough going in the third term, with both team’s defences holding up strong. Hogan had several black and white jumpers surrounding him at every contest, as the Magpies attempted to nullify his influence. It wasn’t until the 15-minute mark that Mitch Gent was able to dodge past the Collingwood defence and score the first goal of the term for the Scorpions.

Paine responded with his third for the game, and when Collingwood added another shortly after, the Casey lead was cut to 16. Spencer steadied the ship when he scored a brilliant goal on the run from beyond the 50m arch, before Quentin Lynch kept the Magpies in touch late in the term.

Casey coach Rohan Welsh implored his team at the three-quarter time huddle to make amends for the last month, which has included two poor losses. His message appeared to have immediate effect, with Taggert, having stolen the ball in midfield, streaming forward to kick a spectacular goal from 50 at the three-minute mark.

Another Casey goal through debutant Nick Lang shortly after stretched the lead to 27-points and the Scorpions looked comfortable. Three quick-fire Collingwood goals late in the term, however, turned the game on its head, bringing the margin back to eight points.

Spencer, who had spent much of the final term in the forward line due to a knee complaint, was brought back into the ruck in an effort to stem the flow. Casey managed to lock-down the midfield and, fittingly, it was a Hogan pack mark in the final moments that assured Casey victory.

James Strauss was the highest possession winner for the Scorpions, collecting 27 touches across half-back, while Josh Tynan and James Magner both had 25 touches apiece. Hogan with three goals was best afield, and Best with two was also lively throughout the day.  Lang and Spencer were the other multiple goal scorers for Casey.

Jordie McKenzie suffered a knock late in the third term. He was back on the field briefly at the beginning of the final term but was unable to continue.

Casey takes on Frankston away next Sunday.

COLLINGWOOD 12.10.82 def. by CASEY SCORPIONS 13.12.90