Casey Match Report AND Player performance

[Deefolt]

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/tabid/7415/default.aspx?newsid=96397

Casey Scorpions - seniors
Daniel Bell - He had a lot of it in the first half, but dropped off his possession rate in the second half. I’m not quite sure why. He had around 13 touches in the first half and about four in the second half, which was quite interesting. I’m not sure why he dropped off dramatically.

Kyle Cheney - He started a bit slowly. But after quarter-time, he was just phenomenal and he played really well defensively. He also got a bit of the ball. In the first quarter, he didn’t have much impact, although his man didn’t do much either. After quarter-time, he was very good. He played down back and won more than 20 possessions.

Danny Hughes - Danny took nine marks up forward, which was a fair effort. He was a really good target up the ground and forward. He’s very hard to match up on because he has leg speed and he works hard. He’s very versatile.

Paul Johnson - Paul was probably our best player. He was up against two really tall guys - Adam Patterson and Steven King - and he had a really good duel with them. We had to look after him a bit because he was an emergency for the seniors. He played about 75 per cent game time - all in the ruck. He didn’t float forward at all. I thought he did a really good job again.

Addam Maric - Addam had another very good game. He stood out with his ability to win the ball and his clean hands. He kicked 2.1 and that was a good return in those conditions. Although he was a little quiet in the seconds, it was a slog in that period.

Joel Macdonald - Joel was in the best couple of players. He played four consistent quarters and really looked a class above in those conditions. His ball-handling and skill level was very good. He chimed in with a couple of goals as well. He also provided a lot of rebound. Joel was a real standout in the conditions. We moved him around the ground a bit.

Tom McNamara - Tommy struggled a bit early on. He gave away a soft free kick, but improved after quarter-time. I had a talk to him about how he was going and gave him a rev-up at quarter-time. I thought he got better from that point. He worked hard defensively and used the ball. I had been annoyed with some of his efforts early on.

James Strauss - I gave Straussy a go-with job. He was a bit tardy early - he didn’t quite grab the role like I requested - but I talked to him at quarter-time and after that he really subdued his opponent. He also had an impact on the game as well. I thought he was one of our better players in the end.

Austin Wonaeamirri - Aussie had four consistent quarters this week. His work was good, especially up in the middle of the ground. He seemed to be involved a lot more than the week before. He stood out with his ball use.

Casey Scorpions - reserves
Jack Fitzpatrick - Jack got a bit of the ball and it was good that he got through a full game, which was important. He played ruck and forward because he got a corky the week before and only played a quarter.

 

[Deefolt]

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/tabid/7415/default.aspx?newsid=96395

Casey climb to top spot

The Casey Scorpions shook off a determined Sandringham in the mud and slush on Saturday at Casey Fields, winning by 20 points. It was a victory that was significant in many ways, not the least of which was that the Scorpions have now grabbed top spot on the VFL ladder at the halfway mark of the season.

Coach Brad Gotch was pleased with the way his players fought out the game with great discipline in trying conditions, tailor made for tight in-and-under football.

Gotch would also have been delighted with the performances of his VFL contingent, as the team shrugged off injuries to Demons and Scorpions alike with four players - Ryan Creed, Geelong recruit Scott Simpson, Ben Waite and Gippsland Power youngster Ryan Pendlebury (a brother of Collingwood's Scott) - coming seamlessly into the side to contribute to a superb team effort on their season debuts. With Glenn Chivers and Tim Mohr returning from injury, it was a very different Casey team that took the field for its Round Nine game, renewing its strong rivalry with the Zebras.

While the game did not attract as much interest or as many spectators as the Karmichael Hunt show unfolding way over the other side of town, it was played for a very worthy cause. The Scorpions players wore pink outfits to mark the club's Pink Ribbon Day to aid breast cancer research. The colours certainly served as a clear contrast to those of their Zebra counterparts in heavy conditions on a day when the rain held off, and most of the game was played in bright sunshine until heavy clouds came in late in the day. A goodly sum was raised for the cause and, as well as the financial benefit, the event helped to heighten community awareness about an illness which tragically affects the lives of too many women and a number of men and their families each year.

The visitors, who were early competition leaders but have gone through a rough trot lately, showed they had come out to play. They scored the game's opening two goals with the use of a strong breeze, before Danny Nicholls took a heavy knock and then kicked truly to open the scoring for the Scorps. Addam Maric was lively early and snagged a nice goal, as he and Austin Wonaeamirri showed it was possible to handle the footy in the heavy going. Sandy, however, regained the ascendency in a tight contest just before the first break, with the aid of some accurate kicking for goal.

Paul Johnson won the battle against Saints' ruckmen Steven King and Adam Pattison. This helped the cause of the Casey small men, who proved a handful, winning the clearances and causing havoc around the goals. The former Liston Medallist finished the game with 25 touches in a dominant display of ruckwork, both at the stoppages and around the ground.

With Casey taking its turn to kick with the wind, it didn't take long before the home side snatched back control of the game. Defender Joel Macdonald drifted to the wing and rammed home a couple of lovely goals. Ben Macreadie - whose season keeps getting better and better - kicked truly and the lead had stretched to 18 points. Sandringham fought back in what was becoming a scrappy affair and, thanks to its accuracy in front of goal, managed to peg back the deficit to a single goal as the half time siren sounded.

The all-important third term belonged to Casey, which held firm and managed to outscore the visitors against the breeze. On a day made for tight, close in, defensive football, it was Macdonald who eventually finished with 28 disposals and was the stand out player with his attacking skillset. He had plenty of support from the likes of Evan Panozza, who kept multiple Frosty Miller medallist Nick Sautner goalless and under a tight rein all day, hard nut Kyle Cheney, a pesky James Taylor, state representative Michael Stockdale and strong marking Tom McNamara. They all combined well and were backed up by solid contributions from Chivers, Mohr and Simpson. The fact that the Zebra forwards were held at bay allowed the smaller brigade of Creed (two goals), De La Salle recruit Matthew Fieldsend (14 disposals and a goal for the quarter) and speedster Tim Smith to do the damage all around the ground for the hosts, although Sandy threatened again later in the quarter when a missed shot after the siren proved costly for them.

The breeze had moderated when the final quarter began and, although Sandringham continued to threaten, it was powerless in the face of Casey's tight and relentless defensive pressure. Johnson continued to dominate the ruck, and young Demon James Strauss put on a display of silky disposal skills, picking up 23 possessions while keeping a dangerous opponent in check. Acting skipper James Wall picked up the pace and led by example with his one percenters. It took until mid-quarter for Casey to end a long goalless deadlock for the term, and soon after Nicholls matched his opening goal with the game's last major in the darkening gloom to put the result beyond doubt.

Casey gained top place as a result of Williamstown's last gasp loss at North Ballarat, but a challenge looms from the Seagulls next week, as the Scorpions travel to Point Gellibrand for what should be a fascinating encounter between the top-of-the-ladder teams that switched their coaches during the off season. It's a game which coach Gotch is looking forward to, and will be the ABC's televised Match of the Day.

Casey Scorpions - 11.9.75
Sandringham - 8.7.55

Goals
Creed, Macdonald, Nicholls, Smith 2, Fieldsend, MacReadie, Maric

Best
Johnson, Strauss, Macdonald, Creed, Wall, Panozza




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Casey Reserves held the upper hand in a scrappy first half, but allowed a winning opportunity go begging with their inaccuracy in front of goal, and the Zebras finally kicked away in the last quarter. Coincidentally, the winning margin in both games at Casey Fields was 20 points.

Exciting youngster Luke McDonald put in another fine performance and was his team's best, while Matt Moore's comeback after being sidelined for a year with a knee injury was marred by a report for alleged rough conduct.

Casey Scorpions - 6.10.46
Sandringham - 10.6.66

Goals
Cleven, Jones, Fitzpatrick, Leeds, Lees, Sykes

Best
L McDonald, Cleven, Purdy, Fitzpatrick, Weekes, Jones

 

[Deefolt]

Im especially happy about Ryan Pendlebury (Scotts brother) both he and scott are/were apparently big dees supporters, looks like we got one of them hopefully if he plays alright we can get him

 

[Deefolt]

im also starting to think that paul johnson is a wet weather player

 

[Dez!]

Fitzpatrick getting through the game in the reserves and named in the bests is very good, hopefully he gets a run in the Casey seniors soon.

Really excited about Fitzpatrick, really think he could turn out to be a steal at pick 50.

 

[Ageing Demon]

I know very little about him but traditionally guys of this type take a while to come through.
Just look at how long it has taken Jamar!
Someone saw something in him a long time back so lets be patient with Fitzy.
He does however have a couple of things going his way. With the exception of Jamar there are not of players between him and a game at Melbourne.
From All reports Meeson is finished with his foot injury, Johnson will probally be delisted and Spencer is injury prone and not sure he has what it takes but will probally stay on the list while we see if there is anything to him.
That leaves plenty of space for Fitzy to get a run ay some stage later next year.
Lets hope he comes on faster than most people think.

 

[easter31]

Im especially happy about Ryan Pendlebury (Scotts brother) both he and scott are/were apparently big dees supporters, looks like we got one of them hopefully if he plays alright we can get him

I was at the game and Ryan played very well for his first game. Looks a bit slow and ambles along but knows how to get the ball. A natural footballer, great size (biggish body type) and when he matures and comes under the AFL system he could be very good pick up. Very classy.

 

[easter31]

Fitzpatrick getting through the game in the reserves and named in the bests is very good, hopefully he gets a run in the Casey seniors soon.

Really excited about Fitzpatrick, really think he could turn out to be a steal at pick 50.

Chris Connolly was a guest on TAC Future Stars last Sunday and let it be know to Hutcy, Sheehan and Ben Dixon to watch out for Jack Fitpatrick. He WILL be a great Melbourne player. He singled him out from all the other players that are yet to play a game.
I was quite surprised when he said it because the interview was finished but he had to let it be known that JF will be a great player.

 

[Ghost of Grinter]

Hopefully Jack Fitzpatrick is going to be a player, would definately top off what looks to of been a great draft soo far for us.

I like the way we have drafted, all players taken before Gawn and Fitz look to be guns, excluding Tapscot, but I rated him up there with Trengove as a junior, maybe even higher, so not worried about him.

Good to see that Maric is going well, Id keep him in the VFL for another couple of games though, maybe just to get his confidence up even further, because its all thats stopping him.

Strauss is just ticking along, will be a very good player. Had exceptional footskills as a junior and if he can progress even further with his skills, he will be a great player.

 

[Andy_Mac]

Chris Connolly was a guest on TAC Future Stars last Sunday and let it be know to Hutcy, Sheehan and Ben Dixon to watch out for Jack Fitpatrick. He WILL be a great Melbourne player. He singled him out from all the other players that are yet to play a game.
I was quite surprised when he said it because the interview was finished but he had to let it be known that JF will be a great player.

I didn't see it but i have heard it before.

The reports before he got sick were that he was headed for the top 10 and right up there with Butcher as the best tall. I guess luckily for us once he got better he just struggled a bit last year, but all of the officials have been saying since he got to the club is just working so hard to be an AFL footballer.

I have a great feeling about the Fitz.

 

[Warrack Eagles]

By the sounds kyle cheney is doing everything to get back into the line up. Not many spots in melbournes defence. When will he get a chance at the top level???

 

[Tulip]

By the sounds kyle cheney is doing everything to get back into the line up. Not many spots in melbournes defence. When will he get a chance at the top level???

deserves a chance

 

[d33my]

Cheney seems also to be battling it out with Joel Mac for a position. Unlucky for either of them to miss out, I'm sure Cheney will get his chance though. Great to have this sort of pressure on the current back six to keep their spots though.

 

[Demon 16]

Maric might be due for an extended run in the seniors soon. If he gets a go I think we should leave him in for 6 or 7 games and give him a real shot at it.

Strauss is going along nicely and has plenty of time up his sleeve too.