By JARROD POTTER
LAST quarter score-line flattery didn’t hide a dark-and-dreary day for Casey Scorpions in its VFL season opener.
Spraying their way through a wet-and-wild Sunday afternoon at Casey Fields, the Scorpions held Frankston through the first term.
The Scorpions kept the Dolphins out of the goal-column despite having a three-goal wind towards the Berwick-Cranbourne Road end, Casey rallied in reply to boot five goals and take a 37-point margin to the main break.
Despite the odd dust-up and jumper-punch between the sides, it was clear that Casey had the match by the scruff of the neck but couldn’t quite put the result beyond doubt.
Casey chipped away at Frankston’s resolve on the scoreboard, but to Casey coach Justin Plapp’s dismay, it was through a constant stream of behinds.
While Plapp’s charges were in complete control through the final term – Casey’s wayward feet did not help the cause following a 5.9 performance.
Even with the 21 minor scores marring the Casey effort, there was plenty to be happy with at Casey Fields as the Scorpions showed they will no longer dwell on the lower rungs of the VFL ladder. Viv Michie led the Scorpions’ charge with 27 disposals and nine tackles while Matt Jones (25 disposals) and Jimmy Toumpas (24 disposals) were on the charge, and Rohan Bail was best of the forwards kicking three.
“I was frustrated for the boys as they worked really hard in the first half to get us into that position,” Plapp said.
“Footy can sometimes come back and bite you on the a**e and we didn’t make the most of our opportunities which was probably the most frustrating part.”
The Scorpions may have uncovered the best side of Jack Fitzpatrick’s game yet as the ruckman switched defensively and excelled, taking 10 marks and floating across as third-man up in a number of contests.
“It’s going to be an education thing along the way, but definitely might have found him another position,” Plapp said. “We’re going to be working hard to develop that part of his game.”
Casey heads to Whitten Oval on Sunday afternoon to face the reigning VFL premiers Footscray from noon.
