SATURDAY was a bad day in general for Tigers.
The animal species continues to be endangered, the AFL team lost by over 100 points and the airline bearing the same name was in deep trouble after being sidelined by aviation authorities.
However, the Werribee version of the Tiger notched up a victory.
Ironically, in view of the problems with the airline, it was at Avalon Airport Oval, and the victim was the Casey Scorpions.
The misery of a second consecutive lacklustre performance in a fortnight for the Scorps was prolonged by a three-minute long melee late in the game.
The misery of a second consecutive lacklustre performance in a fortnight for the Scorps was prolonged by a three-minute long melee late in the game.
When the dust settled and the final siren sounded, Casey found itself in arrears by 12 points, after trailing by almost eight goals early in the final term.
To make things worse, the team is now in grave danger of slipping out of contention for a top four berth.
The ugly incident that featured at the end of the game had been matched at the beginning of the match by an accidental but sickening clash of heads between Werribee skipper Dom Gleeson and young Luke Tapscott.
The ugly incident that featured at the end of the game had been matched at the beginning of the match by an accidental but sickening clash of heads between Werribee skipper Dom Gleeson and young Luke Tapscott.
Play was stopped for several minutes while Gleeson received attention before he was eventually stretchered off.
The game resumed in a sombre mood, marred further by the swirling winds that favoured the end to which Werribee was kicking.
The game resumed in a sombre mood, marred further by the swirling winds that favoured the end to which Werribee was kicking.
The Scorpions defended well to the defensive side of the ground, but the Tigers drew first blood.
Lynden Dunn responded with Casey’s first, but late in the term Werribee scored two quick goals to secure a 13-point lead at the first break.
The visitors responded early in the second term with two early goals, and looked to be well placed with the wind advantage.
The visitors responded early in the second term with two early goals, and looked to be well placed with the wind advantage.
However, the momentum of the game changed dramatically and suddenly in favour of Werribee.
Hamish McIntosh was getting on top in the ruck, and the Tiger small brigade took over at ground level to rattle on the next three goals.
A late mark in the goal square, and the subsequent conversion from Max Gawn, narrowed the deficit to 14 points at the main break.
Casey suffered a major blow with the withdrawal of full back Matthew Warnock from the residual effects of concussion, and his steadiness in defence was sorely missed.
Casey suffered a major blow with the withdrawal of full back Matthew Warnock from the residual effects of concussion, and his steadiness in defence was sorely missed.
Werribee remained in control with the first two second half goals but Casey dug deep to return fire with two of their own.
Twenty minutes into the quarter, they were handily placed and just 13 points down after an unattended Dunn scored from the goal square.
In another setback for the Scorpions, the game turned again. The Tiger runners took full advantage of the stiffening breeze to slot through four goals in the latter part of the third quarter and two more immediately after the break.
In another setback for the Scorpions, the game turned again. The Tiger runners took full advantage of the stiffening breeze to slot through four goals in the latter part of the third quarter and two more immediately after the break.
Suddenly, the home side was coasting with a 47 point lead.
With little time left to mount a comeback, the Casey spirit lifted, and suddenly the goals flowed.
With little time left to mount a comeback, the Casey spirit lifted, and suddenly the goals flowed.
Brendan Fevola, who had been well subdued by Werribee's Tarrant, came to life with two goals and an assist.
There was still a glimmer of hope when the margin was reduced to three goals with around five minutes left on the clock, but a turnover led to a Majak Daw mark and goal to put the game beyond the visitors.
For the Casey Scorpions, Addam Maric was a busy four quarter contributor around the ground with 33 disposals, while Tapscott overcame the early setback of his head clash with Gleeson to finish with 16 kicks and two handballs.
For the Casey Scorpions, Addam Maric was a busy four quarter contributor around the ground with 33 disposals, while Tapscott overcame the early setback of his head clash with Gleeson to finish with 16 kicks and two handballs.
Tim Mohr, Tom McDonald and Troy Davis were solid in defence and Lynden Dunn was the most effective forward for Casey with three goals.
Michael Stockdale and Wade Lees were busy at times, and Gawn worked hard in the ruck and up forward, where he finished with two goals.
The Scorpions groomed talented Victoria Country Under 18 representative Hayden Hector from Gippsland Power under the 23rd player rule.
The Scorpions groomed talented Victoria Country Under 18 representative Hayden Hector from Gippsland Power under the 23rd player rule.
Hector showed some dash, and was certainly not overawed by his introduction to senior football.
Casey has another tough assignment next Sunday at Box Hill City Oval, when it takes on the improved Hawks, who will be anxious to make the most of what might well be their last opportunity to stake a claim for a top eight placing.
Casey has another tough assignment next Sunday at Box Hill City Oval, when it takes on the improved Hawks, who will be anxious to make the most of what might well be their last opportunity to stake a claim for a top eight placing.
Seniors
Casey Scorpions 1.3 4.7 6.12 13.12 (90)
Werribee Tigers 3.4 6.9 12.11 15.12 (102)
Goals
Casey Scorpions: Dunn 3, Bartram 2, Fevola 2, Gawn 2, Bate, Cook, McGough, Mohr
Werribee Tigers: Castello 3, Warren 3, Schibeci 2, Daw, Harper, McIntosh, Mangan, Mather, Ross, Urquhart
Best
Casey Scorpions: Maric, Davis, Mohr, McNamara, Tapscott, Gawn
Werribee Tigers: Tarrant, Mather, Tighe, Tuck, Ross, Hartigan
The ray of hope for the Casey Scorpions was their rapidly improving reserves team, which beat another opponent in the competition's top four with a 47 point win in an excellent away from home performance.
Senior coach Brad Gotch told the media that the improvement in the reserves who are now fifth on the ladder was significant as "you can see there's a fair bit of depth in the squad and we've been trying to rotate those Casey guys around a little bit".
Mitch Dowse booted four goals and Gippsland Power youngsters Luke Tynan and Aiden Lindsay were standouts in a game that also saw the return from a long layoff with injury of talented small man Danny Nicholls.
Casey Scorpions 1.3 4.7 6.12 13.12 (90)
Werribee Tigers 3.4 6.9 12.11 15.12 (102)
Goals
Casey Scorpions: Dunn 3, Bartram 2, Fevola 2, Gawn 2, Bate, Cook, McGough, Mohr
Werribee Tigers: Castello 3, Warren 3, Schibeci 2, Daw, Harper, McIntosh, Mangan, Mather, Ross, Urquhart
Best
Casey Scorpions: Maric, Davis, Mohr, McNamara, Tapscott, Gawn
Werribee Tigers: Tarrant, Mather, Tighe, Tuck, Ross, Hartigan
The ray of hope for the Casey Scorpions was their rapidly improving reserves team, which beat another opponent in the competition's top four with a 47 point win in an excellent away from home performance.
Senior coach Brad Gotch told the media that the improvement in the reserves who are now fifth on the ladder was significant as "you can see there's a fair bit of depth in the squad and we've been trying to rotate those Casey guys around a little bit".
Mitch Dowse booted four goals and Gippsland Power youngsters Luke Tynan and Aiden Lindsay were standouts in a game that also saw the return from a long layoff with injury of talented small man Danny Nicholls.
Reserves
Casey Scorpions 5.2 8.5 10.8 18.10 (118)
Werribee Tigers 2.7 5.10 6.14 9.17 (71)
Goals
Casey Scorpions: Dowse 4, Gent 2, Nicholls 2, Riseley 2, Allen, Baumgartner, Bell, Dearaugo, Lindsay, Petropoulos, Purves, Waite
Werribee Tigers: Allwright 2, Perkins 2, Davis, Kennedy, Moloney, Risol, Ruggles
Best
Casey Scorpions: Tynan, Lindsay, Bell, Dowse, Bolton, Purdy
Werribee Tigers: Rockefeller, Sullivan, Ruggles, Laracy, Schroder, Saker
Casey Scorpions 5.2 8.5 10.8 18.10 (118)
Werribee Tigers 2.7 5.10 6.14 9.17 (71)
Goals
Casey Scorpions: Dowse 4, Gent 2, Nicholls 2, Riseley 2, Allen, Baumgartner, Bell, Dearaugo, Lindsay, Petropoulos, Purves, Waite
Werribee Tigers: Allwright 2, Perkins 2, Davis, Kennedy, Moloney, Risol, Ruggles
Best
Casey Scorpions: Tynan, Lindsay, Bell, Dowse, Bolton, Purdy
Werribee Tigers: Rockefeller, Sullivan, Ruggles, Laracy, Schroder, Saker
