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Round 16 of the VFL saw a top of the table clash with the Casey Scorpions (second) hosting Geelong (first) at Casey Fields on Sunday, 4 August.
The game was setup to be a close one as Geelong were looking for revenge from earlier in the year, when the Scorpions beat them on their home ground.
Even though it was a big game for both teams the big story was the return of Geelong veteran Paul Chapman after 15 weeks of not playing any football.
Chapman started slow but was able to work his way into the game and ended up having 17 disposals, nine tackles and kicked a miracle goal from the boundary line.
His game was very impressive from limited playing time and will make Geelong supporters very excited as he will hit peak fitness come finals time.
The game started well for Casey as they were able to hit the scoreboard early. Jesse Hogan looked like he was ready to tear Geelong apart kicking two goals early (39 for the season).
But a strong effort from Geelong’s Mitch Brown was able to keep Hogan quiet (nine disposals, six marks) for the rest of the game, along with help from Jared Rivers.
Brown ended up being in Geelong’s best as he gathered 15 disposals and alongside him Rivers gathered 19.
As the game wore on Geelong became far too strong for Casey and ended up smashing them at their home ground in a very disappointing game for the Scorpions, with Geelong winning 19.11.125 to Casey’s 8.11.59
Alongside Brown and Chapman in the best for Geelong were Jesse Stringer, Jordan Schroder, Allen Christensen, Josh Walker and Jed Bews.
Jesse Stringer played a very consistent game as he was able to play well both offensively and defensively.
Offensively he was able to rack up 18 disposals, six marks and kick one goal, while defensively he played a massive part in compiling a huge game-high 13 tackles, a very impressive game from his standards.
Jordan Schroder also played a very impressive game, piling up 16 disposals and 9 marks from the midfield.
Allen Christensen had a successful return playing a major role in Geelong’s midfield; Christensen managed 16 disposals and kicked a goal but also played impressively defensively having eight tackles.
Josh Walker had a very good game up forward as he was able to kick two goals in a strong forward line as he played alongside Shane Kersten who was able to bag a game high five goals (23 for the season) from 10 disposals.
Although Jed Bews had a low game disposal wise on getting the eight, he was named in Geelong’s best for playing a great defensive role and keeping his opponent quiet all game.
For such a disappointing game from the Scorpions point of view there was little positives they could take out of it. Geelong was just far too strong and wanted the win more.
There were a few Casey players that were able to play well as they were named in the best for Casey. They were Dan Nicholson, James Magner, James Strauss, Sam Blease and Josh Tynan.
Dan Nicholson was named best for Casey as he was able to contribute for the Scorpions all game, after playing limited game time in the reserves last week he was set for a big game this week. Nicholson managed 25 disposals, five marks and a goal from a impressive display.
James Magner as per usual was able to rack up big numbers, he was able to gather 27 disposals and lead the way defensively by having eight tackles in what has been a consistent run of form for him over the season.
James Strauss was able to continue his good form and consistent form over the past month. Strauss managed 22 disposals and three tackles from a tough day in the backline.
In only his seventh game for the year in the VFL Sam Blease produced one of his best after being dropped from Melbourne last week.
Blease played consistently throughout the day and provided a lot of run and carry for the Scorpions.
From this he gathered 25 disposals and six marks but was average defensively only having the one tackle.
Josh Tynan was again able to give a solid effort and continued his season form of good games.
Tynan managed 16 disposals and three marks while his defensive efforts were below par for him only managing the tw tackles, but overall a good game from him.
Other Geelong listed players that were able to have an impact on the game and play well included; Ryan Bathie, Jordan Murdoch, Cameron Eardley and Brad Hartman.
Ryan Bathie managed 17 disposals, 12 of those being handballs as he distributed the ball to smaller players but was able to kick one goal one behind from his five kicks. He also managed three tackles which is impressive for a big man.
Jordan Murdoch also provided his skill both offensively and defensively as he managed to kick two goals one behind from his 17 disposals and was also able to manage seven tackles.
Cameron Eardley played well having 15 disposals and four tackles, while Brad Hartman also managed a good game kicking two goals one behind from his 10 disposals.
There was also some good games from Casey Scorpions players, including Jordie McKenzie, Neville Jetta and David Rodan.
Jordie McKenzie was able to rack up a game-high 30 disposals in his best game for a few weeks in the VFL.
McKenzie also led the way in hard-ball-gets managing seven and also played well defensively by having five tackles. A good game for him which is good signs for Melbourne.
Neville Jetta was able to put in a good performance showing that he is improving every week; he played well off half back having 17 disposals and four tackles.
After being out injured for a few weeks, David Rodan was able to find some form from limited game time. He managed 16 disposals and three marks from a good comeback game.
Amongst the good players there were also some quiet performances from players from both teams. Scorpion’s players that had quiet games were Dom Barry, Troy Davis, Tom Gillies and Rory Taggert.
Dom Barry had a very up and down game and couldn’t get into it as much as he or the Scorpion’s would have liked he ended up with 10 disposals and was poor defensively with 0 tackles.
Troy Davis was below form and tried hard all day but just couldn’t get himself into the game for a second week in a row; he was still able to manage 13 disposals.
Tom Gillies started the game well but got injured early and didn’t partake in the rest of the game while Rory Taggert was below his best also only managing 13 disposals from a lot of midfield time.
Only two players for Geelong had quiet games by their standards and they were George Horlin-Smith and Jackson Thurlow.
Both players still managed to pick up 11 disposals each but the two usually win more of the ball, although there games weren’t poor they wouldn’t be pushing for senior selection this week after other players took their chances against the Scorpions.
The win for Geelong puts them three games in front on top of the ladder while the loss moves Casey from second to fourth.
The Casey Scorpions development squad took on the Box Hill Hawks and were able to come away with another win pushing them into third and a good position for finals time.
Casey Scorpions 12.12 – 84 def Box Hill Hawks 9.5 – 59
AFL listed players for Melbourne included Rohan Bail and Joel MacDonald.
Bail was able to get through the game uninjured and managed to play a good game by gathering 24 disposals and by having seven tackles.
MacDonald seemed frustrated but showed good signs as he managed 18 disposals from the backline.
AFL listed players for the Hawks included Amos Frank and Andrew Boseley.
I was unable to get the stats for these two players but from watching the game Amos Frank was able to provide good run and carry for the Hawks while Boseley didn’t have a major impact on the game.
Results from around the VFL
Essendon 16.12 – 108 def Sandringham Zebras 9.11 – 65
Box Hill Hawks 11.18 – 84 def Bendigo 7.5 – 47
Williamstown 14.15 – 99 def Collingwood 10.4 – 64
Frankston Dolphins 16.8 – 104 def Northern Blues 13.13 – 91
Coburg Tigers 15.11 – 101 def North Ballarat 13.7 – 85
Werribee Tigers 25.9 – 159 def Port Melbourne 12.15 – 87 (Foxtel Cup game played March 30)
Ladder after Round 16
1. Geelong
2. Williamstown
3. Box Hill Hawks
4. Casey Scorpions
5. Port Melbourne
6. Werribee Tigers
7. Collingwood
8. Essendon
9. Northern Blues
10. North Ballarat
11. Frankston Dolphins
12. Sandringham Zebras
13. Coburg Tigers
14. Bendigo
Round 17
Round 17 will see the Frankston Dolphins play host to the Casey Scorpions on Sunday August 11. It will be the Scorpions (4th) take on the Dolphins (11th) in what should be an easy win for Casey if they can return to some good form.
My prediction is that the Scorpions will win by 40 points.
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