By JARROD POTTER
BOMBED from the sky by the Scorpions’ tall-timber, Essendon VFL was no match for Casey in a 34-point demolition.
Windy Hill was a happy hunting ground for the Scorpions as a power-packed third term iced the match.
After a back-and-forth first half – with Casey heading into the main break only five points ahead – the club put together what coach Justin Plapp considered their “best quarter of footy for the year without a doubt”.
The Scorpions stormed past the Bombers to drill seven goals and dominate all facets of the match – tackling, contested possession, uncontested possession and mostly – inside-50s which gave the side an emphatic 27 scoring shots. The Scorpions withdrew from their peak intensity in the final term, as Essendon prettied up the final score, kicking five goals.
“It was probably more based around the contest,” Plapp said.
“Our tackling was pretty strong – we tackled at a pretty high percentage and catching the ball forward – some of our bigger key forwards – Gawn, Spencer, Tim smith – all started catching the footy and put the opposition under a great deal of pressure.
“Realistically we probably should have won by more – dropped the foot off the pedal a bit out of complacency.”
The coach praised Melbourne quartet Aiden Riley (27 possessions, 10 tackles), Max Gawn (11 marks, three goals), Matt Jones (28 possessions) and Alex Neale-Bullen – who made an immediate impression through the midfield in his first match since joining the Demons in last year’s draft.
The defence didn’t escape the coach’s gaze either, as Plapp thought his ruck/forward turned centre-half-back Jack Fitzpatrick was strong down back alongside captain Evan Panozza.
Flying up the ladder to second position – the first time Casey has been at the VFL apex since 2013 – Plapp thinks the side is firing in all facets and probably should be top-of-the-ladder had they showed true colours against Footscray last week.
“We should easily be 3-0… should’ve and could’ve,” Plapp said.
“If we had taken our chances against the Bulldogs we could easily be three and zip, but we’re happy with where we’re at and a lot can change with the alignments and injury.”
Casey will hope to stabilise its position when it hosts Sandringham from 12pm on Saturday afternoon.
VFL
ESSENDON 3.3 5.6 5.8 10.14 (74)
CASEY SCORPIONS 5.2 6.5 13.10 16.11 (107)
Essendon Goals: K. Hardingham 3, A. McLeod 2, S. Edwards 2, O. Fantasia, J. Long, J. Schroder. Best: K. Hardingham, O. Fantasia, N. O’Brien, E. Kavanagh, A. Steinberg, J. Ashby.
Casey Goals: M. Gawn 3, P. Pattison 3, W. Petropoulos 2, J. Harmes 2, T. Smith 2, E. Morris, T. Muir, S. Byrnes, J. Hutchins. Best: A. Riley, J. Fitzpatrick, M. Jones, R. Bail, E. Panozza, M. Gent.
