Casey Scorpions Thread

[Axcellence]

He played... and was good in patches. His best was around the goals, as well.

 

[CHBench]

Scorpions too strong for Zebras

CASEY Scorpions stepped out of one top-eight logjam and into another with a tenacious 31-point win against arch-rival Sandringham at Casey Fields yesterday. The Scorpions now join North Ballarat and Port Melbourne on equal points locked for second place.

Only percentage separated third-placed Sandringham and fourth-placed Casey before yesterday's VFL match of the round, and for three quarters little separated the two clubs on the field.


With Sandringham goal-machine Nick Sautner still sidelined with injury and St Kilda half-forward Charlie Gardiner a late call-up to the senior side only hours before the bounce of the ball, the game looked likely to boil down to a battle of the back lines. Casey's young defence, headed by Alex Silvagni and James Wall, was ranked No. 1 in the VFL before yesterday's game, having conceded only 741 points during the first nine rounds.
But Sandringham's equally effective back line was snapping at its heels, with only 748 points kicked against it this season.


Despite the absence of their forward beacon in Sautner, Sandringham looked dangerous early, finding three separate goalkickers in the first quarter. Casey kept in touch through centre-half forward Ben Waite, but Sandringham maintained a six-point lead at the first break.
The Zebras were to see that advantage swing in their opponent's favour in the second half as Casey's running back line repeatedly set up forwards Michael Rix and Jarryd Allen.


But Sandringham defenders Chris Lamb and Daniel Bell held their own to ensure that each Scorpion goal would be hard-earned.


Both teams struggled to pierce their full-forward lines, with much of the game played between the 50-metre arcs during the first three quarters. Casey captain Kyle Matthews led by example, his repeated tackling through the midfield an inspiration for his young teammates. Sandringham captain Peter Summers was not to be outdone, however, and was instrumental in setting up many of his side's forward thrusts.


With Casey holding a six-point margin at three-quarter-time, the game looked within reach of both sides at the final change. Sandringham coach Andy Lovell applauded his players for their hard work but asked for more run in the final term.


When Shane Valenti levelled the scores less than two minutes into the final term, the Zebras looked like keeping their 20-game winning streak against Casey intact, but a quick reply from Brad Howard soon put the Scorpions back in front.


Further goals from Allen, Matthews, David Armitage and Rix quashed the Zebras' resistance, the Scorpions proving once more that they are a hard team to crack when under pressure, breaking a long drought against the Zebras in the process.


Armitage, Rix, Silvagni and Matthews were best for Casey, while Summers, Mark Jamar and Andrew McConnell worked hard for Sandringham.



http://www.scorpions.com.au/latest/latest/scorpions-too-strong-for-zebras.html

 

[darion]

I'm not seeing the same thing in Silvagni. He's steady and reads the play OK, but for his pace he isn't tall enough and his kicking is pretty average. Can't see him getting picked up. Wall is dominating down back, and he was delisted by the Saints.

Funny Sandringham tried 3 Melbourne listed players on him Mark Jamar 198 cms no goals,John Meesen 196 no goalsand Trent Zoomar 200 cms 1 goal.
So height is no problem. Max. Hudghton is 191.As far is pace he would leave Max. standing.

 

[Squizz]

Funny Sandringham tried 3 Melbourne listed players on him Mark Jamar 198 cms no goals,John Meesen 196 no goalsand Trent Zoomar 200 cms 1 goal.
So height is no problem. Max. Hudghton is 191.As far is pace he would leave Max. standing.

Yeah, all guys who can't get a gig at AFL level.

Max is one of the few that keep Fev quiet, so would suggest he is alot quicker than you given him credit for.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Speed is relative.
Players like Max and Harvey know what is going to happen before it does. That gives them a big head start.

 

[CHBench]

ROUND 11
​

VS

Casey Coburg

Sunday 22nd June

2:00pm - Seniors
11:10am - Reserves

At Coburg City Oval
(ADB Group Stadium)





B:Miles Silvagni Taylor
HB: Garrubba Wall Panozza
C: Fisher Birss Matthews
HF: Dunne R Clarke Howard
F: Parker Waite Milne
R: Rix Fiora DalSanto
​

IntGalvin Haretuku O'Bryan
Mercoulia McDonald Steven Vernon​

​

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

Thanks, CHB, that is quite a team this week !

I am glad to see Raph Clarke back - I hope he does play in the forward line.

Too bad about the weather - not only unhelpful for Dal Santo (but then again, he is supposed to play hard footy...), but may also prevent a really good crowd. Well, Melbourne needs rain and I'll see how waterproof I am.

 

[_Interpol_]

Anybody got anything yet on Dal/Milne

 

[CHBench]

2008 VFL Seniors

Coburg Tigers 2.3 4.5 10.12 14.14 (98)
Casey Scorpions 5.3 12.7 16.10 23.13 (151)

From most reports Dal copped a heavy tag & Milne was back to his melbourne form

 

[TassieSaint]

2008 VFL Seniors

Coburg Tigers 2.3 4.5 10.12 14.14 (98)
Casey Scorpions 5.3 12.7 16.10 23.13 (151)

GOALS:
Coburg Tigers: Schulz 5 Pettifer 2 Howat 2 Carnell Tivendale Connors Collard Horne
Casey Scorpions: Milne 4 Rix 3 Clarke 2 O'Bryan 2 Miles 2 Dunne 2 Garrubba 2 Birss Waite Howard Steven Haretuku Matthews

BEST:
Coburg Tigers: Carrick Carnell Schulz Graham Silvester Keogh
Casey Scorpions: Milne Silvagni Rix Panozza Birss Dal Santo

REPORTED PLAYERS:
Coburg Tigers: Nil
Casey Scorpions: Nil

 

[CHBench]

BEST:
Coburg Tigers: Carrick Carnell Schulz Graham Silvester Keogh
Casey Scorpions: Milne Silvagni Rix Panozza Birss Dal Santo

People who went said over at saintsational that he had an ordinary game.

 

[TassieSaint]

People who went said over at saintsational that he had an ordinary game.

Yep, whoever wrote the report disagreed though. They are a hard to please bunch over at saintsational, but I'm guessing Dal just had to turn up to get in the best sort of thing

 

[Squizz]

Saw the second half.

Dal didn't get much of it, but did a few good things. Got smashed by the umpire (got drilled into turf without the ball in one play and laid a ripper tackle after the ruckman took him on and dropped it cold).

Milney was everywhere in the last quarter and set up play and kicked goals. They seemed to rotate him between wing (didn't suit him) and the pocket.

Rix got 3 goals whilst I was there, but found it hard to jump in the mud.

Silvagni - best footy I've seen from him. Very assured. Starting to change my mind on him as a prospect for AFL.

Miles was pretty good.

Birss's kicking was not his usual standard, and looked frustrated.

Jack Steven was OK in patches.

Raph played CHF. You'd say he played well but a few bloopers thrown in.

Leigh Fisher was solid.

Fiora got heaps of it and wasted most of them.

Eljay was there (out of sling) and watching his brother who played very well. Not sure why he can't get a gig at AFL.

Howard tried hard, but didn't get much of it.

Did I miss anyone?

 

[CHBench]

Yep, whoever wrote the report disagreed though. They are a hard to please bunch over at saintsational, but I'm guessing Dal just had to turn up to get in the best sort of thing

Perhaps they were expecting for him to set the game alight with 40 possies? No way were Coburg going to let him run loose,i know it's only VFL but if he made the best while copping a tag, good on him. Might have learned a thing or two.

Thanks for the report squizzy

 

[Saints08]

Fiora got heaps of it and wasted most of them.

Gee, Fiora is a changed player since he got dropped

 

[Saints08]

Casey Scorpions - 2.2 5.3 8.5 14.7 - 91
Sandringham Zebras - 3.2 4.4 6.11 8.11 - 59
Casey Scorpions Goal Kickers: J. Allen 4, M. Rix 2, D. Armitage 2, L. Fisher, E. Panozza, B. Howard, A. Parker, K. Matthews, B. Waite
Best Players: D. Armitage, A. Silvagni, M. Rix, K. Matthews, E. Panozza, J. Allen
SandringhamGoal Kickers: A. Biddlecombe 2, S. Valenti 2, R. Crowe, T. Dean, S. Buckley, T. Zomer
Best Players: A. Biddlecombe, D. Bell, S. Valenti, P. Summers, K. Cheney, R. Crowe

Makes for good mascots... Chuck in the Northern Bullants and you've a good array of exotic animals

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

Dal Santo had a heavy tag on him the entire game - he never really managed to shake him off and definitely had one of his weaker games. The weather of course did not suit him, but I was disappointed. In my opinion, he was defintely not amongst the best.

Milne started a bit slow, but ended with four goals and a lot of hard running all over the ground - his opponent was even smaller than him. I thought that, contrary to Dal Santo, he got the message that he needs to prove his spot and showed his determination to get back into the team with hard running and a few good tackles.

Rix was really good - disadvantaged by the heavy ground (and he took a hard hit in the second), he was everywhere, taking marks, scoring goals. I really don't know what else he has to do get a real chance with the Saints over a few games with reasonable game time.

Birss was contantly rotated off the ground and was not happy with it (at some stage, clearly annoyed, asking the bench "what does he want ?"). But I love his enthusiasm when he is off, he doesn't just sit down, he will comment on the game and will yell instructions all over the ground. I can't quite understand his inclusion into the best either.

L Fisher was solid, gosh he is a hard runner. Had a great run towards the end of the game with a smart push of the ball over his opponent which led to a goal.

I thought that Raph Clarke had a good game as half forward with a few goals, but he is always good for a clanger (and dropped a mark right on front of goal in the last minutes). He appeared a lot more confident that he does with the Saints, but needs to concentrate harder for the entire game (the skills are undoubtedly there, but he was lazy at times).

Fiora did not have a great game, but, in my opinion, was not as bad as Squizzy made him sound like (great smother late in the game).

I did notice the other St Kilda players too much, but I agree that Silvagni was very good.

There were quite a few St Kilda players at the ground (including the obviously very proud Allen, Eddy and McEvoy).

 

[Squizz]

Thanks HMC.

I was wondering what was hindering Rix with the jumping. But nice 50m goal and one from the angle.

I thought Fiora was having roast duck for dinner, as he wasn't pleased with his own disposal on a number of occasions.

HMC - did you see Haretuku (I did not notice him)? Any idea on who No.65 was (tall gangly left footer)?

 

[Squizz]

Herald Sun popped in for a look :

ST KILDA stars Nick Dal Santo and Stephen Milne got their hands dirty in the VFL yesterday, impressing in Casey's 53-point win against Coburg.

Dropped for the first time this season for Friday night's game against Fremantle at Telstra Dome, both put up their hands for an instant recall to the Saints' side for Saturday night's game against North Melbourne at Carrara with impressive performances.

Milne, who played forward and in the midfield, was particularly damaging, booting four goals from 23 disposals to be best afield, while Dal Santo played onball and shrugged off a heavy tag from Coburg's Nick Carnell to finish with 11 kicks and eight handballs.

While Dal Santo refused to talk to the media, Milne said he was happy to find form in wet and slippery conditions at Coburg City Oval. "It was a bit of a mud-heap but it was good to have a win," the 28-year-old said.

"It was pretty tough out there. It reminded me of the good old junior days in the mud. It was real (tough) footy and it was good to get a run on the ball and . . . get on the end of a couple."

Asked what his role for the game was, Milne said: "To get amongst it."
Scorpions coach Greg Hutchison said he was pleased with the tackling and defensive pressure of both players. "I thought Dal Santo and Milne both presented themselves very well," he said.

"I thought their attitude was fantastic and their work-rate was great. We just wanted them to play with a fair bit of effort and intensity, and they both showed that.

"I thought Nick's last quarter was really good. He worked really hard, made some good tackles and put himself in the contest, which is what we asked him to do."

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

HMC - did you see Haretuku (I did not notice him)? Any idea on who No.65 was (tall gangly left footer)?

You got me baffled a bit now... I thought that No. 65 actually was Haretuku !?

I was standing close to the Casey bench and hence saw quite a bit of him. He is big, but not really fit. But he did have a goal (which, I have to admit, I cannot remember).

 

[Squizz]

I just looked his photo up. I guess it could be him.

Can someone give him some food!!!

 

[Fehring]

Saw the second half.

Dal didn't get much of it, but did a few good things. Got smashed by the umpire (got drilled into turf without the ball in one play and laid a ripper tackle after the ruckman took him on and dropped it cold).

Milney was everywhere in the last quarter and set up play and kicked goals. They seemed to rotate him between wing (didn't suit him) and the pocket.

Rix got 3 goals whilst I was there, but found it hard to jump in the mud.

Silvagni - best footy I've seen from him. Very assured. Starting to change my mind on him as a prospect for AFL.

Miles was pretty good.

Birss's kicking was not his usual standard, and looked frustrated.

Jack Steven was OK in patches.

Raph played CHF. You'd say he played well but a few bloopers thrown in.

Leigh Fisher was solid.

Fiora got heaps of it and wasted most of them.

Eljay was there (out of sling) and watching his brother who played very well. Not sure why he can't get a gig at AFL.

Howard tried hard, but didn't get much of it.

Did I miss anyone?

Dal Santo had a heavy tag on him the entire game - he never really managed to shake him off and definitely had one of his weaker games. The weather of course did not suit him, but I was disappointed. In my opinion, he was defintely not amongst the best.

Milne started a bit slow, but ended with four goals and a lot of hard running all over the ground - his opponent was even smaller than him. I thought that, contrary to Dal Santo, he got the message that he needs to prove his spot and showed his determination to get back into the team with hard running and a few good tackles.

Rix was really good - disadvantaged by the heavy ground (and he took a hard hit in the second), he was everywhere, taking marks, scoring goals. I really don't know what else he has to do get a real chance with the Saints over a few games with reasonable game time.

Birss was contantly rotated off the ground and was not happy with it (at some stage, clearly annoyed, asking the bench "what does he want ?"). But I love his enthusiasm when he is off, he doesn't just sit down, he will comment on the game and will yell instructions all over the ground. I can't quite understand his inclusion into the best either.

L Fisher was solid, gosh he is a hard runner. Had a great run towards the end of the game with a smart push of the ball over his opponent which led to a goal.

I thought that Raph Clarke had a good game as half forward with a few goals, but he is always good for a clanger (and dropped a mark right on front of goal in the last minutes). He appeared a lot more confident that he does with the Saints, but needs to concentrate harder for the entire game (the skills are undoubtedly there, but he was lazy at times).

Fiora did not have a great game, but, in my opinion, was not as bad as Squizzy made him sound like (great smother late in the game).

I did notice the other St Kilda players too much, but I agree that Silvagni was very good.

There were quite a few St Kilda players at the ground (including the obviously very proud Allen, Eddy and McEvoy).

So, to the two of you: if you were the coach and you'd dropped Dal because he wasn't hard enough at it, would you put him back in this week?

 

[HoldenMCaulfield]

So, to the two of you: if you were the coach and you'd dropped Dal because he wasn't hard enough at it, would you put him back in this week?

Yes.

- He was dropped as the highest profile representative of the "soft group". Dropping him sent a clear message to the entire team and I would assume that the team got the message. Other main members of that "soft group" certainly did like Montagna who sacrificed his normal attacking stats for a defensive role keeping Bell quiet and having eight tackles on the way (but I thought that he was close to giving Riewoldt a spontaneous hug when Riewoldt ran back to mark in the goal square ahead of Montagna and Bell late in the fourth quarter), Gram who must have already received a last warning after the Brisbane game und who apparently was on the receiving end of a few strong words when called to the bench on Friday night and Milne who was great on Sunday, running all day and having a felt fifty or so tackles.

- He is still one of our best players and possibly the most talented (someone posted the other day that if he had Blakes heart and attitude, he would be a superstar with at least one Brownlow to his name). Lyon finally took a tough decision, but he has made his point and there is no need to take more risks by not playing someone as good as Dal Santo.

- While St Kilda finally showed enthusiasm and spirit, there were some with a less impressive performance who may be omitted from a winning team that, in his words, did what Lyon wanted them to do. I hope that he does not drop the youngsters (the new kids - Geary is almost part of the establishment compared to McEvoy, Eddy and Allen). They were part of a spirited performance and have played well. No need to destroy their new confidence by dropping them again after just one game.

- Dal Santo was disappointing (in my opinion) on Sunday because you would expect a player of his calibre to excel in the VFL with a 40+ disposals game. But I have to consider of course that he has not played with that team before (you saw him running into nowhere a few times, annoyed that he did not get the ball on the way) and Casey did not bother to change their game plan just for him. And, as I said, he had a very heavy tag always close to the boundaries of the games rules (St Kilda should keep that fellow in mind, he looked a bit like a young Baker - someone you can only like if he plays for your team). He did not show the same desire to impress as Milne and was not as good as many would have expected him against weaker opposition, but he did not just sook in the corner either.

 

[Fehring]

Yes.

- He was dropped as the highest profile representative of the "soft group". Dropping him sent a clear message to the entire team and I would assume that the team got the message. Other main members of that "soft group" certainly did like Montagna who sacrificed his normal attacking stats for a defensive role keeping Bell quiet and having eight tackles on the way (but I thought that he was close to giving Riewoldt a spontaneous hug when Riewoldt ran back to mark in the goal square ahead of Montagna and Bell late in the fourth quarter), Gram who must have already received a last warning after the Brisbane game und who apparently was on the receiving end of a few strong words when called to the bench on Friday night and Milne who was great on Sunday, running all day and having a felt fifty or so tackles.

- He is still one of our best players and possibly the most talented (someone posted the other day that if he had Blakes heart and attitude, he would be a superstar with at least one Brownlow to his name). Lyon finally took a tough decision, but he has made his point and there is no need to take more risks by not playing someone as good as Dal Santo.

- While St Kilda finally showed enthusiasm and spirit, there were some with a less impressive performance who may be omitted from a winning team that, in his words, did what Lyon wanted them to do. I hope that he does not drop the youngsters (the new kids - Geary is almost part of the establishment compared to McEvoy, Eddy and Allen). They were part of a spirited performance and have played well. No need to destroy their new confidence by dropping them again after just one game.

- Dal Santo was disappointing (in my opinion) on Sunday because you would expect a player of his calibre to excel in the VFL with a 40+ disposals game. But I have to consider of course that he has not played with that team before (you saw him running into nowhere a few times, annoyed that he did not get the ball on the way) and Casey did not bother to change their game plan just for him. And, as I said, he had a very heavy tag always close to the boundaries of the games rules (St Kilda should keep that fellow in mind, he looked a bit like a young Baker - someone you can only like if he plays for your team). He did not show the same desire to impress as Milne and was not as good as many would have expected him against weaker opposition, but he did not just sook in the corner either.

I must say that the conclusion I draw from your report (which is great. Thanks very much to both you and Squizz for the excellent feedback) is that he could do with another week at Casey, unless Lenny doesn't come up.

 

[Squizz]

His kicking skills are missed, but I'm a bit torn based on that performance. Think HMC has summed it up.

Milne was just feverish at times, and if the game was in Melbourne I'd bring him straight in. It's infectious when he's up, and you could hear him celebrating the goal off the boot (rather than waiting to see where it went!!!).