By Nick Creely
In the space of just five matches, Casey-South Melbourne has lifted itself from cellar-dweller to a legitimate finals threat, and on Saturday, the inspiring performance against powerhouse Fitzroy-Doncaster at Casey Fields was yet another thrilling chapter to a remarkable resurrection.
First it was Luke Manders, who struck a wonderfully compiled maiden century last week, but now, Brendan Rose has taken his game to another level, taking 5/75 as the Lions were bowled out for 284, still 22-runs shy of victory.
It was the perfect start for the Swans, as speedster Nathan Lambden (1/41) and Rose broke through early, but a series of slow and grinding partnerships ensured the Lions would allow themselves a chance to advance later in the day.
With perennial run-machines Peter Dickson (67) and Lloyd Mash (87) putting on over 140 runs, all-rounder Dylan Hadfield (1/38) provided the moment of magic, dismissing the dangerous Dickson, before only a few overs later, Rose cracked the game open by removing Mash.
It was then that the Swans found their killer instinct, and when Leigh Diston took a wonderful catch to end the game and Trent Lawford’s (40) resistance, the Swans erupted with joy, knowing that yet another scalp has been taken.
And exciting quick Jackson Fry (2/17), who played a vital role with his line, length and aggression, said the win was huge for the club, its finals hopes, but also praised the club for its stunning turnaround.
“It was a massive win – it was a tight one and our fifth in a row and it gives us massive confidence going into the last three games, and really push into the finals,” he said.
“We are in at the moment (top-eight) and we have three winnable games so we would be disappointed if we didn’t make it – we are just going week-by-week and we will see what happens.
“The win against St Kilda off the last ball got us going and was a turning point for us -if we had of lost that game who knows?
“I played in the seconds against Frankston earlier in the year, and apparently Brian had a stern talk to the boys after that loss, and we haven’t lost a game since.
“We were going for a bottom-four finish at one stage – after that Frankston game we were second from the bottom – and now we are seventh in the matter of five games – We gave Fitzroy a rude shock.”
But Fry heaped praise on two individuals, Brendan Rose, and the unsung hero Devin Pollock, who claimed six dismissals behind the stumps.
“Brendan has bowled really well for over a year now – he has bowled without much luck this year and rapt to see him get five wickets,” he said.
“Brian put it on us bowlers this game to step up – he was really pushing us and Rosey did that.
“It was a great game for Devin also taking six catches- he has made more runs than any keeper in the comp and he’s a gun – he can play higher level cricket to be honest, the sky is the limit for him.”
Looking ahead to another crunch clash against the lowly Greenvale Kangaroos, Fry said the confidence is sky-high.
“We are confident with bat and ball, but we know it will be tough away from home, and they will play with a point to prove, but we need to keep doing what we are doing.”
