By JARROD POTTER
VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
REVIEW – ROUND 15
A LATE game fade away against Frankston summed up Casey’s season – good in patches, but unable to string together the elusive complete effort.
The Scorpions had complete control of their clash with Frankston on Saturday – kicking away to a five-goal first term that would have impressed coach Rohan Welsh.
From there the Dolphins fought back to be within a point at the main break as Frankston’s ball-winners – Lee Kitchin (31) and Garfield native Josh Tynan (25) started to rise up.
A lacklustre third term effort in front of goals gave Casey three-goals-six for the term and left the door open for a Dolphins’ comeback.
A five-goal final term brought the lowly Dolphins to the heights of victory for only the third win this season.
Former Stingrays Luke Potts and Nic Newman combined to break Casey hearts in the dying minutes as the last goal flew through to claim the six-point triumph.
Max Gawn had his best game in the Scorpions’ gear – starring with four goals, 43 hit outs and 22 touches as he showcased his true capabilities at this level and above.
Daniel Nicholson had leather poisoning from his 40-disposal, 10-mark game while Matt Jones (33) and James Strauss (33) also put their hands up for senior selection with possession-laden performances.
Garfield’s Eddie Morris continued to impress in the run home to the end of the VFL season with 29 touches and six of his trademark bone-rattling tackles.
The challenge ahead isn’t any easier for Casey with the last four games of the year against Northern, Port Melbourne, Footscray and Coburg.
Four wins from here will be about the only way Casey can qualify for finals and even then it would be a stretch.
The campaign starts when Casey hosts the Blues on Saturday 2 August.
VFL SCOREBOARD
CASEY 5.3 6.4 9.10 12.10 (82)
FRANKSTON 1.1 6.3 8.4 13.10 (88)
CASEY
Goals: M. Gawn 4, W. Petropoulos 2, A. Scott 2, M. Clisby, J. Best, J. Fitzpatrick, M. Jones. Best: M. Gawn, J. Strauss, D. Nicholson, J. Fitzpatrick, E. Morris, M. Jones.
FRANKSTON
Goals: T. Harper 2, S. Simpson 2, L. Potts 2, K. Haretuku, J. Pollard, C. Buchan, M. Lourey, N. Newman, D. Sutton, J. Coleman. Best: L. Kitchin, L. Potts, S. Simpson, M. Lourey, J. Tynan, T. Harper.
