THE SCENES in the home side's change rooms at half time at Casey Fields must have been interesting.

 

Casey had been outplayed in virtually every facet of the game and the score line had it trailing the lowly Gold Coast Suns by 44 points, after nine goals to four in the second quarter.

 

The Scorpions had dug a big hole for themselves and Brad Gotch now expected his charges to work their way out of the mire.

 

With the finals in sight, the team's hard fought position in the top four of the VFL ladder was at stake.

 

A loss in its final home game of the season was simply unacceptable and nothing less than a comprehensive team effort was necessary to extricate itself from this position.

The Suns had started the game in brilliant fashion showing great pace, fierce tackling and a great measure of youthful enthusiasm.

 

The crowd witnessed a team that had some of the nation's truly elite teenage talent mixed with a sprinkling of seasoned footballers who tackled and harassed the Scorpions, and ran them off their feet in a frenetic opening half.

 

By contrast, Casey was hesitant and slow, often messing up its switches of the play and lacking in confidence.

The Suns first draft pick, David Swallow opened proceedings with a long goal, but that was answered by Danny Nicholls who kicked a goal from a free.

 

The lead seesawed early, but only because the Suns were off target in front of goal.

 

Brad Miller and Michael Newton were in good marking form and their goals kept their team in the game. It ended the first term two goals in arrears with only Matty Warnock at full-back and Ben MacReadie able to hold their heads high.

 

Gold Coast had 10 scoring shots to three at that stage. 

The second quarter was a procession for the visitors who scored at will and played as if they were one of the competition's leading flag contenders, rather than the occupant of one of its bottom rungs.

 

The Suns put two goals on the board within minutes, but Luke Tapscott and Miller replied to momentarily get the Scorpions back into the contest.

 

Gold Coast went into a goal kicking spree, including one from rugby league recruit Karmichael Hunt who was playing in midfield. A goal on the siren gave the Suns a lead in excess of seven goals, which left the home crowd stunned.

Gotch used the half-time break to address a few matters.

 

Changes were made and the players were asked to improve their work rate. Tapscott went onto the dangerous Brandon Matera; Matthew Bate and Evan Panozza started on the wings and things started to happen.

 

Miller turned on a master class in the third quarter seeing off several opponents including Hunt.

 

The ball only had to be delivered somewhere near him and he was going to kick a goal.

 

He booted six of his team's seven goals for the term (Tom McNamara scored the other) and the Scorps momentarily hit the front in a stunning fight back. A late goal by Swallow had the Suns clinging to a narrow three point lead at the final break.

As good as Miller was at his end of the ground, the fans were also treated to an equally great performance at full-back from Warnock.

 

His ability to read the flight of the ball, out position his opponent and take a relatively comfortable mark is surely the best seen in the competition this season.  

 

Newton's assistance in the ruck to young Jack Fitzpatrick was also crucial at this juncture.

The Suns made one further stand and drew away to a 14-point lead with the first two goals of the final stanza.

 

A Nicholls snap saw the Scorpions narrow the gap and with newcomer Sam Blease showing great pace, and Bate and Miller combining well, the Scorpions grabbed back the lead. It then recorded a famous victory for the club.

The final quarter effort from Casey was pleasing, as many players lifted against a wilting opposition.

 

Kyle Cheney produced some brave saves, while Macreadie (14 kicks, 11 handballs, 9 marks and a goal), Panozza (12 kicks, 8 handballs, 7 marks) and Matt Fieldsend (14 kicks, 4 handballs and 2 marks) were the best of the Casey listed players.

This was the last of two encounters between Casey and the Gold Coast Suns who will, in just over six month's time, begin their campaign in the country's leading competition.

 

In the meantime, the Scorpions have more immediate business over the coming month.

Casey Scorpions 18.11 (119)
Gold Coast Suns 17.13 (115)

Goals - Miller 10, Nicholls 2, Bate, McGough, McNamara, MacReadie, Newton, Tapscott
Best - Miller, Warnock, Cheney, Newton, MacReadie, Panozza

The Casey Reserves were outclassed by Box Hill for the second week in a row. Will Petropolous was his team's best. Young ruckman Max Gawn suffered a setback when he strained his knee.

Casey Scorpions 8.15 (63)

Box Hill Hawks 17.1 (113)

Goals - Plummer 2, Costigan, Lees, McDonald, Petropoulos, Waite, Weekes
Best - Petropoulos, Riseley, Plummer, Healey, Patti, Costigan