Scorpions sting too late

By Marc McGowan
THE Casey Scorpions narrowly missed their second win of the VFL pre-season in a high-paced three-point defeat to Frankston at Casey Fields on Saturday.
An under-strength Scorpions outfit gave the Dolphins a five-goal head start before rising to the occasion in the final three quarters.
Skipper Kyle Matthews, defenders James Taylor and Evan Panozza and forward recruits Matthew Moore and Glenn Chivers sat out the contest.
Moore (hamstring and back) made his Casey debut in the reserves.
Indigenous livewire Pierce Liddle stepped out for the Scorpions’ seniors for the first time.
He slotted a miraculous goal in the last term from the right pocket at the Tooradin end after turning opponent Matthew Burns inside out.
Casey coach Peter German was suitably impressed.
“Liddle showed some exciting traits today. That goal was probably the highlight of the day,” he said.
The Scorpions were sloppy by foot at the start of the game – particularly from defence – in a goal-less opening quarter.
Frankston, by contrast, was sharp and efficient all over the ground, with star forward Justin Berry a class above.
But the hosts’ intensity lifted in the second term.
Casey matched its 11 forward-50 entries of the first quarter, but this time made the most of its opportunities.
The Scorpions snagged five majors to three to cut the margin to 14 points at half-time.
Key defenders James Wall and Alex Silvagni were instrumental in the fightback.
The clash was a dogfight from then on, with Melbourne-listed players Addam Maric and Liam Jurrah firing up forward and Michael Stockdale directing traffic further afield.
The difference was just five points until Casey youngster Aaron Hillberg’s shocking turnover in defence resulted in a Dean Limbach goal in the shadows of three-quarter-time.
The Dolphins booted three of the first four majors of the final term to stretch their advantage to 22 at the 14-minute mark before Liddle’s magnificent solo effort only minutes later.
Nick Scanlon and Demon on-baller Shane Valenti slotted the next two goals to bring the Scorpions within three points, but time ran out.
Berwick resident and former Dandenong Stingray Aaron Purves, who now plays for Frankston, suffered a corked right buttock in an incident in the third quarter and did not return.
Ex-Stingray Matt Clark also played for the Dolphins.
German was disappointed to lose, but took much out of his club’s second practice encounter.
“You get to find out certain things about players in certain situations, so it was good,” he said.
“It was good that it was tight and Frankston is going to be a pretty good side this year with the way they played today. It was a good hit-out for us.
“I think our last two games have shown we’re certainly not going to be easybeats.”
German praised Melbourne players Trent Zomer and John Meesen, while also lauding midfield recruit Ben MaCreadie and Wall.
“MaCreadie is starting to show he’s stepping up from being a local player and that he’s capable at this level,” he said.
“Wall is just a terrific player. The best part is he’ll play a whole range of positions this year.
“His running ability and football knowledge needs to be exposed more around the ground rather than just in the back half.”
Casey faces Coburg in its final practice match before the home-and-away season at Casey Fields from 2pm on Sunday.
Demons star Russell Robertson is expected to make his comeback in the game from an achilles injury that he suffered in round 10 last season.