Young gun Jesse Hogan found his form from earlier in the season in Casey’s victory over Collingwood at Victoria Park on the weekend.
Hogan was back to his best, playing a massive part in the Scorpions forward line.
He gathered 25 disposals accompanied by 12 marks which were mainly contested.
He also managed seven shots on goal resulting in three goals (37 for the season) and four behinds.
Despite his inaccurate kicking Hogan was still able to impact the game and get the best-on-ground honours.
The game was a closely contested one with Casey leading for most of the day. The Scorpions looked in a comfortable position at three-quarter time leading by 16 points.
Collingwood then put on a strong comeback but credit to the Scorpions they were able to hold them off resulting in an eight-point Scorpions win. 13.12.90 to 12.10.82.
The win consolidates Casey’s position in the top four as they currently sit a comfortable second.
The loss moves Collingwood into sixth just one game inside the eight.
Amongst Jesse Hogan in the best were James Magner, James Strauss, Rory Taggert and Josh Tynan.
As per usual James Magner was able to rack up a high number of disposals. His disposal count this week was 25 with 8 of them being contested.
While playing a major role in providing the Scorpions with first use he was also able to keep Collingwood’s Kyle Martin quiet (12 disposals) and out of the game.
But what was most impressive about his game was his ability to play a strong defensive game as well managing a huge 10 tackles.
James Strauss also managed big numbers from a consistent four-quarter effort. Although some of his disposals lacked composure, he was mostly effective from his 27 disposal game.
Rory Taggert played his best game for the year managing 25 disposals, 7 marks, and also kicked two goals in a confidence-boosting game from him.
Josh Tynan was able to put in another good game which he has been doing now consistently over the past month. Tynan was able to gather 26 disposals from the half back flank and also played his role well defensively by having 8 tackles.
With both teams having a strong line-up going into the game it was one that would be won from the middle of the ground.
The ruck battle between the Scorpions Jake Spencer and Collingwood’s Quinten Lynch was one to admire. Spencer was able to win the hitouts 39 to Lynch’ 24.
Both played well going forward as each of them got on the goal scores list.
Spencer kicked two goals to Lynch’ one. Lynch won the disposal count 27 to Spencers 12 and by doing this Lynch proved his ability to cover the ground by using his disposals productively, his 27 disposals resulted from 6 inside 50s and five rebound 50s which I believe gave him the win between the two rucks.
Amongst Quinten Lynch in the best for Collingwood were Alan Didak, Adam Oxley, Peter Yagmoor, Jackson Paine and Jackson Ramsay.
Alan Didak was Collingwood’s best as he showed he still has what it takes to play a high level of football. Didak made good decisions and provided a lot of run and carry from his 27 disposals.
Adam Oxley was strong in defence, he was able to get 16 disposals and four tackles, with help from Peter Yagmoor who was also very productive in the backline managing 13 disposals and an equalling four tackles.
Jackson Paine complemented the hard work of Collingwood’s midfielders by kicking three goals while Jackson Ramsay also played well getting 14 disposals.
Experienced Collingwood listed players Andrew Krakouer and Irishman Marty Clarke both had good games. Krakouer was slow to begin with but managed a team high 28 disposals.
While Clarke provided a lot of run and carry from his 22 disposals as he also managed four inside 50s from half back.
Good games from Melbourne listed players included Dom Barry, Neville Jetta and Jordie McKenzie were good signs for Melbourne supporters as all were poor last week in the loss against Essendon.
Barry found some good form by having 21 disposals and six marks, he still lacks great decision making but as he is only young in will come with time which is also a positive for Melbourne supporters.
Jetta was able to play into a bit of form gathering 16 disposals but only managed the one tackle while McKenzie played a better game than last week as he put in a consistent four-quarter effort gathering 22 disposals complemented with four tackles.
Only one Melbourne listed player had a quiet day and that was Troy Davis. Davis coning off good form from the past month just wasn’t able to work himself into the game.
He played back and forward but only managed the seven disposals and one tackle.
Collingwood listed youngster Tim Broomhead showed good signs gathering 22 disposals and kicking one goal while other listed players Caolon Mooney and Corey Gault had quiet games.
Mooney managed 10 disposals and 1 goal while Gault only had the nine touches.
The win now keeps Casey’s top four chances alive while Collingwood mat slip out of the eight unless they can get over this loss and get back on the winners board.
The Casey Scorpions development squad took on the Sandringham Zebras for a second week in a row and a second big win in a row, 18.12.120 to Sandringham’s 4.6.30.
The only AFL listed player that played for the Scorpions was Dan Nicholson.
Nicholson was named emergency for Melbourne’s game with North Melbourne on Saturday so he played reserves at Sandringham on Sunday to see a bit of game time.
Nicholson was best for the Scorpions; he had 30 disposals, five marks, seven tackles and kicked two goals.
Results from around the VFL
Essendon 21.19 – 145 def Bendigo 5.6 – 36
North Ballarat 12.12 – 84 def Werribee Tigers 9.13 – 67
Williamstown 14.20 – 104 def Frankston Dolphins 10.8 – 68
Box Hill Hawks 17.13 – 115 def Port Melbourne 15.10 – 100
Geelong 27.18 – 180 def Sandringham Zebras 9.9 – 63
Northern Blues 17.16 – 118 def Coburg Tigers 9.6 – 60
Ladder after Round 15
1. Geelong
2. Casey Scorpions
3. Williamstown
4. Box Hill Hawks
5. Port Melbourne
6. Collingwood
7. Northern Blues
8. North Ballarat
9. Werribee Tigers
10. Essendon
11. Sandringham Zebras
12. Frankston Dolphins
13. Coburg Tigers
14. Bendigo
Round 16
Round 16 will be a very interesting round as first plays second. Casey Scorpions (second) will host Geelong (first) at Casey Fields on Sunday August 4.
The Scorpions did get the points over them last time as they beat Geelong in Geelong by 13 points.
With Casey’s up-and-down form over the last four weeks I can’t see them winning so I will be predicting Geelong to win by 25 points.
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