By JARROD POTTER
VFL – ROUND 18
THE hard times persist down at Casey Fields with the Scorpions thrust head-first into another top-of-the-ladder threat.
A hellacious run towards finals has been in full swing for the last three weeks with Casey facing both of the top seeds – Box Hill and Williamstown- and set to battle third-ranked Sandringham in the home-and-away season finale.
Gallant efforts from utility Jack Fitzpatrick (four goals) – who has relished this VFL season wherever he’s lined up this year – and Berwick in-and-under goal-sneak Nathan Page (three goals) helped drag the Scorpions back into the clash, after squandering an early lead.
The Seagulls built their advantage through the middle terms – booting away in the second term – and held the lead to soar to the comfortable 17-point triumph.
Melburnians in the ranks excelled for the VFL affiliates as Mitch White, Billy Stretch and Mark Jamar put their hand up for senior selection alongside gutsy performances from VFL-listed Page and Tom Muir.
Four losses in a row has the Scorpions tumbling down the ladder and now their chances at September glory are on the line with the eighth-placed side desperate for a win in one of its last two matches.
Casey’s spot in the eight is on the line this weekend when it battles 10th- placed Coburg. A win will likely give Justin Plapp’s charges the final spot in the VFL finals with a boosted percentage (105.47) over chasers North Ballarat (89.50) and Coburg (84.78).Casey heads out to Piranha Park to face the Lions on Saturday afternoon from 2pm.
CASEY 4.5 5.5 9.7 12.7 (79)
WILLIAMSTOWN 3.1 8.6 10.6 14.12 (96)
CASEY goals: J. Fitzpatrick 4, N. Page 3, M. Jamar, P. Pattison, J. Lovett, B. Stretch, J. Hunt. Best: M. White, B. Stretch, M. Jamar, D. Terlich, N. Page, T. Muir.
WILLIAMSTOWN goals: S. Dunell 5, A. Gallucci 2, A. Anastasio 2, S. Critchley 2, W. Wheeler, M. Banner, E. Carr. Best: B. Jolley, S. Dunell, M. Banner, N. Meese, N. Sing, E. Carr.
