By JARROD POTTER
WEATHER for ducks is also the prime forecast for Casey Scorpions as they surged through the sleet and soggy conditions to knock over VFL powerhouse Port Melbourne.
From the get-go Casey had the match by the throat as it ran away with a 10.9(69) to 2.8 (20) victory. Casey tackled ferociously, going past the 100 tackle mark for the second week in a row as the Borough found itself besieged across the park.
Those hard-tackling Scorpions also translated the doggedness into opportunities in front of the big sticks as a fleet of small forwards and midfielders got under the packs and feasted on the ground work necessary to excel.
In the freezing cold, with raindrops spitting down like bullets, Casey found another gear to shake off Port’s best efforts.
It was a third-quarter surge that killed off the Borough’s hopes – Jayden Hunt (2 goals) had it on a string in the premiership quarter, booting both his majors alongside fellow Melburnians Aiden Riley and Jack Grimes.
It sunk Port Melbourne’s spirits even further into ever-increasing puddles around the ground as Casey rattled off a few more to take the 49-point triumph.
Casey coach Justin Plapp thought it was a proud day for his men, especially as it was across the board from the Development League all the way through to the peaks of the senior line-up.
“Very challenging conditions for the players – we certainly respect what both teams had to endure throughout the game and we’re really happy with the performance and the result,” Plapp said.
“I felt that Port was a team we really respect… to knock them off at home in those trying conditions was a great result for our club
“Reserves team had a fantastic win too – been a good seven or eight years since we’ve been able to do that against a powerhouse in Port Melbourne.”
Viv Michie led all comers – with an impressive 31-possession haul alongside Riley (26), Mitch Gent (25) and Mark Jamar (23).
Bridging the gap to the VFL top four – Casey now sits in a five-team logjam from fourth to eighth on seven wins apiece.
Plapp said every match from now on is worth double as Casey looks to not only move up in the rankings, but also guard against anyone making a late run to take their place in the VFL finals’ equation.
“Every game that we play now is an eight point game,” Plapp said.
“Got to keep winning and stay in contact with the top eight… the bottom line is we can’t get ahead of ourselves… take each game on its merits.
“This week against Northern Blues – this is a monster for us from that point of view as well.”
Casey battles it out against Northern Blues on Saturday afternoon (18 July).
VFL
CASEY SCORPIONS 1.4 4.6 8.8 10.9 (69)
PORT MELBOURNE 0.1 2.4 2.6 2.8 (20)
CASEY SCORPIONS
Goals: J. Hunt 2, A. Scott, E. Morris, V. Michie, M. Gent, M. Jones, A. Riley, J. Grimes, T. Papley.
Best: V. Michie, M. Jamar, M. Gent, A. Riley, J. Hutchins, E. Panozza.
PORT MELBOURNE
Goals: B. Pearson, J. Lisle.
Best: L. Tynan, S. Gilmore, T. Pinwill, G. Dickson, M. Wooffindin, D. Noonan.
