Do or die final for Scorpions

By Marc McGowan
THE weather is heating up and the temperature on the field is getting even hotter – it could only be football finals time.
And for the first year since 2003, the Casey Scorpions will be right in the thick of the action.
In the Scorpions’ second season calling Casey Fields home, they have blossomed into one of the Victorian Football League’s most exhilarating teams under coach Peter Banfield.
Casey boasts all the ingredients of a quality outfit, with superb in-and-under players, electrifying game-breakers and imposing talls at both ends of the ground.
The gradual decrease in its AFL affiliate St Kilda’s injury list has been a major bonus as well, with forwards Fergus Watts (30 goals) and Jarryd Allen both looming as key players in the next month after long-term injuries delayed their start to 2007.
Steve Harrison (25 possessions a game) and Nigel Carmody (24) have done much of the grunt work, while Kangaroos recruit Troy Makepeace (21) and excitement machine Kyle Matthews (16) have added the silk.
Rookie-listed Saint James Wall has been a revelation in defence and James Gwilt’s ability to play tall as well as spend time in the midfield has added another dimension to the Scorpions.
Young St Kilda prospects Andrew McQualter (20 possessions), Robert Eddy (18), David Armitage (17) and Jarryn Geary (17) have also enjoyed consistent seasons in a variety of roles.
But quite possibly the most impressive element of Casey’s success has been its steadfast commitment to playing youngsters in the senior side, with the likes of Daniel Unsworth, Steven O’Bryan and Adam Parker repaying the selectors’ faith.
The Scorpions will have to lift a cog if they are to be a factor in the finals, but have shown at various times in the second half of the year that they are capable.
Two areas they will need to address are their poor starts and errant goalkicking, which they will not be able to get away with against three-time reigning premier Sandringham and last year’s grand finalist Geelong.
Banfield believes his squad has the potential to go deep into September.
“I think we’re good enough to get to a preliminary final and then who knows what might happen on that day,” he said.
“We really want to go and win next week. We’re ready and we’re going to be hungry and we’re going to make sure we really, really want it.”
The Casey mentor has identified centre half back John Baird, midfielders David Spriggs, David Robbins and Julian Rowe, and forward Jeremy Dukes as the danger men for Port Melbourne in the elimination final this weekend.
The clubs’ two previous clashes this season came in round nine at Casey Fields and round 17 at TEAC Oval, with the Scorpions saluting on both occasions by 24 and 39 points respectively.
Banfield has earmarked Harrison, Matthews, Watts, Wall, and the ruck combination of Barry Brooks and Michael Rix as the players who will have the greatest impact on Casey’s fortunes.