Scorpion fire stings Hawks

By Marc McGowan
THE Casey Scorpions’ match-up with the Box Hill Hawks on Sunday at Casey Fields provided the club with an opportunity for redemption after an embarrassing first-up performance against North Ballarat.
In a remarkable turnaround, the Scorpions grasped the chance and then went on with the job as they obliterated the Hawks by 129 points to surge into third spot on the ladder.
They also secured the Challenge Cup for the second time after it was established last year to recognise the club’s first home game at Casey Fields.
It was Box Hill’s first game of the season after a bye in round one and it put in a dismal effort similar to Casey’s the previous week.
St Kilda-listed medium-sized forward Justin Sweeney, who snagged three goals last week, pulled down a big mark in the goalsquare and put a banana kick through from a tight angle to open the scoring.
The Saints’ influence gathered momentum when impressive rookie-list ruckman Luke van Rheenen set up fellow St Kilda hopeful James Wall for another goal.
Troy Makepeace, David Biagi, in his new role as a forward and David Armitage also goaled in the first term as Casey went into the break five goals up after keeping the Hawks goalless.
The Scorpions’ scoring binge charged on in the second quarter as Sweeney and Wall added two goals each, courtesy of the ruck dominance of van Rheenen and the promoted Phillip Wischmann.
Steven Harrison (25 possessions), Shane Birss (23 and eight clearances) and Stefan Garrubba (20) made the most of the advantage to repeatedly pump the ball forward to the bevy of options in their forward 50.
Makepeace (18) showed his value as a linkman through the middle and used his superb disposal to perfection.
A 55-point half-time buffer bulged further in the third stanza as the skilful Kyle Mathews used all his guile and managed to set Armitage and Sweeney up for goals during the period.
An eight-goal-to-three quarter proved nothing more than a precursor to the fourth term as, at the urging of coach Peter Banfield, the Scorpions put the foot on the accelerator and destroyed the opposition.
Casey cleared the ball incessantly from the centre and by game’s end boasted six players with three goals or more, headed by the lanky Wall and hard-working Sweeney with five apiece.
A further eight goals were scored in the final quarter to the Hawks’ one as the encounter became nothing more than a training run for the superior Scorpions.
Hawthorn-listed player Matt Little was the sole shining light for Box Hill with four goals, while John Holmes toiled hard all day.
Banfield was delighted at his troops’ response to their round-one display after stressing to his players during the week that they were not a bad side.
“We played really well and had a really even team performance. It was a good victory,” he said.
“We had a good pre-season and for whatever reason they just went out and played crap (in round one), but to their credit they got back on the bike and our leaders were fantastic.”
This week will provide an insight into the type of team Casey will be this season after contrasting exhibitions, but Banfield said it was just as vital as any other match.
“It has the same importance as last week and the week before. Each round is the same; it is still only four points,” he said.
“We just have to make sure we come out and play well and again that’s the challenge.”
The Scorpions return to the field at 2pm this Sunday against Williamstown in yet another home game at Casey Fields.