Box Hill Hawks 21.16 (142) def Casey Scorpions 11.13 (79)
On a beautiful, sunny afternoon at Box Hill, the Casey Scorpions were overwhelmed by a determined Box Hill Hawks side, with the Scorpions going down by 63 points at Box Hill City Oval.
In gorgeous blue skies and a clear sunny day, the Scorpions were up against it early as the Hawks kicked to the southern end of the ground aided by a five goal breeze. The Hawks took advantage as they blasted their way out of the blocks with the first four goals of the match.
The Scorpions scored their first goal through a long kick into the goal square, which captain Steve Harrison was in the right spot at the right time to lurk from behind the pack to run into an open goal. But further goals to the Hawks ensured that they lead the match by 39 points at the first change.
In the second quarter, the Scorpions attempted to get their way into the match by lifting their intensity around the ground and their work rate. Scorpion players started to find their targets and with their use of the breeze, they were able to make inroads into the Hawks lead.
A 4.5 to 1.3 quarter enabled the Scorpions to bring themselves back into the contest as they started to clear the football from the stoppages and win its first use. At half time Box Hill held a much shorter 19 point lead.
In the third quarter, it was the Hawks who continued the goal rampage by scoring 5.7 to 2.3 with the breeze. The highlight for the Scorpions in this quarter was a brilliant baulk and snap over the shoulder goal by Nigel Carmody. The Scorpions struggled to make inroads into the Hawks lead as they took a 41 point lead into the final term.
As the final quarter eventuated, a flat Scorpions team ran tired of chasing as the Hawks piled on 7.1 to 3.3. Kyle Matthews’ great kick for a goal from the boundary was a positive but in the end it counted for little as the Box Hill Hawks, with pride to play for, ran out winners by 63 points.
On the day, the following performances stood out for the Scorpions. Vice-captain Nigel Carmody continued his fine form in recent weeks by finishing with 35 possessions (16 kicks, 19 handballs, 5 tackles). He was supported by his captain Steve Harrison (13 kicks, 9 handballs) along with Kyle Matthews (16 kicks, 6 handballs, 6 tackles) who both finished with an identical 22 possessions.
David Biagi was next best with 18 possessions (12 kicks, 6 handballs), whilst Evan Panozza (6 kicks, 9 handballs) and Brad Scalzo (9 kicks, 6 handballs) both finished with 15 touches to support the efforts of the Scorpion team. Special mention goes to Michael Hobbs (4 tackles, 4 pressures) and Stevan O’Bryan (4 tackles) who continued to keep the pressure on the Hawks’ players around the ground.
Despite the disappointment of this loss, Saints fans will be keen to learn of the performances of the St Kilda listed players from this match, who will strongly push cases forward for selection in the St Kilda lineup next week.
Mark McGough was the leading Saint with 27 touches for the day (16 kicks, 7 marks, 11 handballs). He was duly supported by the efforts of Allan Murray with 26 possessions (15 kicks, 6 marks, 11 handballs, 2 tackles), Andrew McQualter (20 possessions:- 12 kicks, 8 handballs, 3 tackles), Barry Brooks (14 possessions:- 12 kicks, 7 marks, 2 handballs, 5 tackles) and Sam Gilbert (13 possessions:- 11 kicks, 2 handballs, 5 marks, 2 tackles). James Gwilt had 9 possessions and had five tackles as well.
Overall, this was a disappointing loss for the Scorpions after two weeks now on the road. With the final match for the season against North Ballarat at the ‘Field of Dreams’, hopefully they can finish the season off with a win to lead in as a springboard for greater things in 2007.
Saints fans get behind your Casey Scorpions and urge them on next Sunday one last time this season as they take on the Roosters!
Casey Scorpions
Goals: B. Brooks 2, C. Dunne 2, K. Matthews 2, N. Carmody, S. Harrison, D. Biagi, G. Boyd, J. Gwilt
Best: S. Gilbert, E. McDonnell, K. Matthews, N. Carmody, B. Scalzo, A. Silvagni
Next Match: Round 20 Casey Scorpions vs. North Ballarat at Casey Fields, Sunday 27th August 2006, 2:00PM (start). (NOTE THE CHANGE TO THE FIXTURE)
