AFL gives them wings

By Paul Pickering
AN influx of AFL-listed talent propelled Casey to a 41-point win over Werribee at Chirnside Park on Saturday.
The Scorpions proved too classy for the struggling Tigers, with Melbourne regulars Colin Sylvia, Cale Morton, Brad Miller, Matthew Warnock, Michael Newton and Rohan Bail among seven changes to the Scorpions outfit that was smashed by Williamstown a fortnight previous.
VFL officials decided on Thursday to shift the match from Casey Fields due the poor condition of the ground, and Werribee looked set to capitalise on the move when it jumped out to a 19-point quarter-time lead.
But that buffer lasted only a matter of minutes in the second, as Casey’s on-ball unit began to provide its star-studded forward line with the service it deserved.
Sylvia, Miller, Newton and indigenous livewire Liam Jurrah were all prominent in the Scorpions’ stunning seven-goal to nil second term, which went a long way towards restoring the side’s confidence.
Werribee rallied to within two straight kicks midway through the third, but two late Casey goals effectively ended the short-lived revival.
Scorpions coach Brad Gotch was satisfied with the result, if not the opening.
“Our start was a bit disappointing, but, to the boys’ credit, they made amends,” he said.
“We had a few little patches where we paddled a bit, but (the Tigers) just didn’t make the most of their opportunities and we were able to hold sway through a bit of guts and effort in the last quarter.”
Gotch said the change in personnel may have been the reason for the sluggish start, but was ultimately pleased with the inclusions.
“That’s the anomaly of the competition,” he said.
“You can be terrible one week, then have seven or eight changes and it changes your whole structure and the confidence of the side.”
The performances of Bail and Sylvia, both returning from lengthy injury lay-offs, were an unexpected bonus for the Scorps.
Bail, who broke his cheekbone in the round seven clash with Bendigo, was among few winners for the visitors in the first term, and finished with 23 disposals for the afternoon.
Sylvia had 21 touches, eight marks and kicked three goals, showing little sign of discomfort in his return from a blood clot in his foot.
He looks set for an AFL recall if he pulls up well this week, while Morton strengthened his own claim by influencing the game at both ends on Saturday.
Jurrah was another positive for the Demons, recapturing his instinctive skills – and infectious smile – in a lively three-goal outing.
The VFL contingent was led by relentless skipper James Wall and rugged midfielders Ben Macreadie and Danny Nicholls, while Luke McDonald (hamstring), Austin Wonaemirri (shoulder) and James Strauss (knee) all left the field with injuries and will be assessed this week.
Casey will again be a hot favourite when it travels to Frankston this Sunday to face the last-placed Dolphins from 2pm.