CASEY’S run of losses extended to four on Saturday – although they showed some positive signs – going down to Williamstown by 17 points at Casey Fields.

Despite being without Jack Fitzpatrick and Jimmy Toumpas for the second half, the Scorpions hit the lead early in the final term, but were unable to hang on, losing 12.7 (79) to Williamstown's 14.12 (96).

After an electrifying first quarter and half, which included four majors, including a contender for goal of the year, diabetic Fitzpatrick was sidelined in the second term with concerns over his blood-sugar levels, while Toumpas suffered concussion early in the third term.

Fitzpatrick was unstoppable in the first quarter, kicking three goals and along with a single from Nathan Page, helped give the home side a confidence boosting 10-point lead at the quarter-time break. 

Fitzpatrick's fourth goal early in the second term provided not only the highlight of the match, but one of the VFL season, running 70 metres and taking eight bounces, before calmly slotting it through.

That goal however would be Casey's only one of the term as the Seagulls kicked five to take all the momentum and a three goal advantage into the long break.

With the Scorpions desperate to cement their spot in the finals and the visitors looking to keep in touch of the minor premiership, the physicality rose to another level during the third quarter.

An early goal from the Seagulls extended their lead to four goals, but the Scorpions were able to respond with a goal from Page. A couple more goals from the Scorpions further reduced the margin and when Paul Pattison kicked truly on the three-quarter time siren, the Williamstown lead was cut to less than a goal.

Page's third for the afternoon regained the Scorpions lead early in the fourth quarter and a big mark and goal from ruckman Mark Jamar pushed the margin out to seven points. A goal from the visitors levelled the scores at the eight-minute mark, as both sides fought desperately to break the opposition.

The Seagulls, who sit second on the ladder, were able to break the Scorpions, who were battling without their full contingent of rotations.

Despite losing, the match proves that Casey's best is good enough to stretch any team in the competition. The Scorpions won the inside 50 count, but sloppy entries hurt them.

Demon-rookie Mitch White was named Casey's best playing across half-back, collecting 19 disposals and five marks. Billy Stretch was another to impress, again with 19 touches, six marks and four inside 50s.

Ben Newton was busy with 25 possessions and Jordie McKenzie had 24, the pair combining for five and nine tackles respectively.

Dean Terlich was among the best players with 16 touches, as was Jamar with nine disposals and as many tackles, as the Scorpions again controlled the hit outs, but conceded the clearances.

Jay Kennedy-Harris had 17 touches and seven tackles, Toumpas had 16 before his knock, Jake Spencer 15 and six marks and Oscar McDonald 14. Fitzpatrick finished with seven touches from his limited game time and Jayden Hunt had six disposals.

Jake Lovett, son of Brett, had nine touches and four inside 50s in his second VFL game.

The Scorpions will travel to take on Coburg next Saturday in what is a must win match from 2pm.

Click back to melbournefc.com.au later this week for the full round-up from coach Justin Plapp.