By JARROD POTTER
VFL – ROUND 12
THERE was a lot to play for on Saturday as Casey Scorpions celebrated their annual tradition in fitting style.
Wearing the pink jumpers for the seventh year in a row, the Scorpions put their full weight behind the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) for its Pink Ribbon Day.
Whatever was in the dye for the pink jumpers seemed to have an effect on the Scorpions as the Casey contingent flew out of the blocks – booting five goals to nil in an action-packed first term.
Fighting back before the half, Geelong didn’t give in, but similarly couldn’t halt Casey’s forward line generating a few highlights on a bleak day weather-wise.
The freezing conditions – more fitting of a day in the Arctic than in Cranbourne – took full hold through the third as neither side could escape the scrums and packs with the rain driving across the field.
No matter what the Cats – and temporary VFL recruit Jimmy Bartel – had in their arsenal, the Scorpions were one step ahead and played the conditions to a tee, even managing to boot a few goals against the unrelenting typhoon.
Jayden Hunt (3 goals) put his best VFL performance in the ledger as small forwards and midfielders dominated in front of goals.
Making the leap from VFL to TAC Cup, Bunyip/Gippsland Power forward dynamo Tom Paplkey impressed everyone as the 23rd man relished his first chance of senior state-level football – booting three majors and earning the coach’s eye as one of the best afield along with Melbourne-listed Mark Jamar, Viv Michie and James Harmes.
The Scorpions improve to a six-and-four record before putting its eighth place on the line against Port Melbourne on Sunday at Casey Fields.
VFL
CASEY SCORPIONS 5.3 8.3 11.6 14.9 (93)
GEELONG CATS 0.2 4.6 5.7 6.9 (45)
Casey Scorpions Goals: J. Hunt 3, T. Papley 3, B. Newton 2, M. Jamar, E. Morris, J. Moncrieff, J. McKenzie, N. Paredes, S. Byrnes. Best: M. Jamar, V. Michie, J. Harmes, T. Papley, J. Fitzpatrick, J. Hutchins.
Geelong Goals: J. Hollmer, J. Jansen, T. Maas, T. Read, S. Blease, J. Kolodjashnij. Best: J. Bartel, J. Jansen, T. Ruggles, J. Kolodjashnij, G. Horlin-Smith, B. Rees.
