Squizz
Brownlow Medallist
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2007
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- St Kilda
Match Report :
THIS is blossoming into a splendid season for the Casey Scorpions.
Going into 2008 there were no great predictions about their prospects, especially after the departure of coach Peter Banfield and a group of senior players.
But the Scorpions are thriving under new man Greg Hutchison, and the relationship between Casey and St Kilda is as good as it's been. It's a pity the alignment will cease at the end of the season.
On Sunday the Scorpions journeyed to Coburg and gave the 2007 grand finalist a 53-point caning to earn their eighth win. They are second on the ladder. They are going fantastically well.
That they lost two players with injury in the first half made the performance the more commendable.
Captain Kyle Matthews went off with a foot injury at the 20-minute mark of the first quarter (it was a burst blood vessel, not a break, as first feared) and little Beau Vernon was concussed early in the second term.
It tested legs, but Hutchison said his players were running as hard in the last quarter as they did in the first.
``I thought our guys were terrific,'' he said on Monday.
Experienced Saints Shane Birss (32 possessions, six inside 50s), Adam Fiora (28, eight inside 50s, five tackles) and the demoted Steve Milne (23, four goals, four tackles) set the example.
Milne clearly enjoyed himself and Hutchison said his goals were ``the cream on the cake''.
``I thought his work around the stoppages and through the midfield was really good,'' the coach said. ``His ability to run and spread and put pressure on and tackle was pleasing.''
Nick Dal Santo had a harder time of it. He had tenacious Tiger Nick Carnell as a hard tag (Carnell is no easier to shake than a leech) and had to be content with 19 disposals. But he laid five tackles, which would have pleased Saints coach Ross Lyon, who sat in the Casey coaching box.
``To our players' credit they worked pretty hard for him to get the footy and looked after him at the stoppages,'' Hutchison said.
``It was a tough day but Nick's played footy for a long time and he handled it pretty well. He still made a valuable contribution.''
Ruckman Michael Rix was again outstanding with 21 disposals and 14 marks. He drifted forward to filch three goals, but also worked hard defensively to cut off Coburg across half-back.
Half-forward lead-up merchant Chris Dunne was busy again, and Evan Panozza (23 possessions) gave rebound off his back flank. The left-footer is a player on the rise.
Alex Silvagni maintained his flawless form in the backline.
``He's just got some confidence about being able to play,'' Hutchison said when asked about Silvagni's improvement this season.
``We gave him the biggest opponent each week in terms of the name and he's standing up.He's got himself fit and he's playing with confidence. We don't complicate it too much for him and he goes about it in a really diligent manner.''
There was a senior VFL debut for Saints rookie Khan Haretuku, a tall lad who has kicked on since the start of the season. He nailed a goal with his first kick.
The Scorpions host Essendon-aligned Bendigo Bombers this Sunday.
Matthews will be on crutches for three days but may be available.
THIS is blossoming into a splendid season for the Casey Scorpions.
Going into 2008 there were no great predictions about their prospects, especially after the departure of coach Peter Banfield and a group of senior players.
But the Scorpions are thriving under new man Greg Hutchison, and the relationship between Casey and St Kilda is as good as it's been. It's a pity the alignment will cease at the end of the season.
On Sunday the Scorpions journeyed to Coburg and gave the 2007 grand finalist a 53-point caning to earn their eighth win. They are second on the ladder. They are going fantastically well.
That they lost two players with injury in the first half made the performance the more commendable.
Captain Kyle Matthews went off with a foot injury at the 20-minute mark of the first quarter (it was a burst blood vessel, not a break, as first feared) and little Beau Vernon was concussed early in the second term.
It tested legs, but Hutchison said his players were running as hard in the last quarter as they did in the first.
``I thought our guys were terrific,'' he said on Monday.
Experienced Saints Shane Birss (32 possessions, six inside 50s), Adam Fiora (28, eight inside 50s, five tackles) and the demoted Steve Milne (23, four goals, four tackles) set the example.
Milne clearly enjoyed himself and Hutchison said his goals were ``the cream on the cake''.
``I thought his work around the stoppages and through the midfield was really good,'' the coach said. ``His ability to run and spread and put pressure on and tackle was pleasing.''
Nick Dal Santo had a harder time of it. He had tenacious Tiger Nick Carnell as a hard tag (Carnell is no easier to shake than a leech) and had to be content with 19 disposals. But he laid five tackles, which would have pleased Saints coach Ross Lyon, who sat in the Casey coaching box.
``To our players' credit they worked pretty hard for him to get the footy and looked after him at the stoppages,'' Hutchison said.
``It was a tough day but Nick's played footy for a long time and he handled it pretty well. He still made a valuable contribution.''
Ruckman Michael Rix was again outstanding with 21 disposals and 14 marks. He drifted forward to filch three goals, but also worked hard defensively to cut off Coburg across half-back.
Half-forward lead-up merchant Chris Dunne was busy again, and Evan Panozza (23 possessions) gave rebound off his back flank. The left-footer is a player on the rise.
Alex Silvagni maintained his flawless form in the backline.
``He's just got some confidence about being able to play,'' Hutchison said when asked about Silvagni's improvement this season.
``We gave him the biggest opponent each week in terms of the name and he's standing up.He's got himself fit and he's playing with confidence. We don't complicate it too much for him and he goes about it in a really diligent manner.''
There was a senior VFL debut for Saints rookie Khan Haretuku, a tall lad who has kicked on since the start of the season. He nailed a goal with his first kick.
The Scorpions host Essendon-aligned Bendigo Bombers this Sunday.
Matthews will be on crutches for three days but may be available.
