By JARROD POTTER
VFL – ROUND 19 REVIEW
A HELLACIOUS run-home has not halted Casey’s march into finals after clawing its way back in front of Coburg – both in a 17-point win and on the VFL ladder.
Needing one win from its final six weeks to qualify, Casey had failed to strike and sustained four losses in a row, leaving its chances in the balance.
Saturday’s salvo between eighth-placed Casey (on 32 points) versus 10th ranked Coburg (28) became a must-win for either side to keep it alive in the premiership race.
But even when pushed to the limit against the Lions on Saturday – when the side trailed 39 to 60 by the end of the second quarter – the Scorpions found avenues to rally a comeback.
With a mix of youth and experience the Scorpions thrust past Coburg to not only take the 17.9 (111) to 14.10 (94) triumph, but also book its place in the finals.
They were jumped early by an up-tempo Lions outfit – looking to give a perfect send-off to departing VFL champion Nick Carnell.
Flourishing in red-time during the third term, Casey booted its way ahead via Jake Spencer, Dean Terlich and up-and-coming forward Matt Rennie.
Well placed at the final change – with only four points separating two sides -the Scorpions had to find those last drops in the tank to rev past the fading Lions.
Melbourne ruck tandem Spencer (four goals) and Mark Jamar (three goals) relished every second in the forward half as they troubled the Lions’ defensive stocks.
The final nails in the Coburg coffin came from the big Russian – as Jamar snagged two goals late in the clash – alongside former Demon, now full-time Scorpion, Tim Smith (four goals), who had his best return for the year up forward.
Matt Jones led all Scorpions with 26 possessions alongside Terlich (26), Aiden Riley (22) and Spencer (19).
The win guarantees Casey’s spot in the finals – with an eight point buffer over Port Melbourne, Coburg and North Ballarat heading into the final round of the home-and-away season as the Scorpions face Sandringham on Saturday.
VFL
COBURG 3.0 9.6 11.8 14.10 (94)
CASEY SCORPIONS 6.1 6.3 12.6 17.9 (111)
COBURG Goals: L. Johns 3, D. Hill 2, D. Younan 2, D. MacDonald 2, N. Carnell, N. Thomas, B. Clifton, J. Cauchi, D. Venditti. Best:, L. Johns, N. Thomas, B. Clifton, N. Carnell, D. Venditti, A. Christensen.
CASEY SCORPIONS Goals: T. Smith 4, J. Spencer 4, M. Jamar 3, A. Riley, J. McKenzie, M. Rennie, D. Terlich, T. Papley, M. Jones. Best:, T. Smith, J. McKenzie, J. Spencer, A. Riley, M. Jones, M. Jamar.
