Frankston Oval and the Frankston Dolphins played host to the Casey Scorpions on Sunday, August 11.
The game was never set up to be a close one as Frankston were sitting at a disappointing 11th on the ladder and were taking on the Scorpions, who were 4th.
The game started out tightly contested and low scoring even though one team had a fair wind advantage going for them. The Scorpions were able to hold off the Dolphins and the wind in the first and grabbed a one point lead going into quarter time.
The Scorpions kicked away in the second and were able to hold a 24-point lead at half time, but the Dolphins weren’t finished just yet. The Dolphins came out red-hot after half time red, kicking 7 goals and 3 behinds to Casey’s no score, which gave Frankston a 21-point lead at 3 quarter time.
With a huge rev up from Casey coach Rohan Welsh at 3 quarter time, you knew Casey were still in the game. A move from Welsh saw James Sellar go forward after playing a vital role in defence all day. Sellar made sure the Scorpions got off to a good start by kicking an early goal while Neville Jetta played a vital role of half back sending the ball inside 50 and also kicking 2 goals to ensure Casey had a chance.
The Scorpions ended up kicking 9 goals and 5 behinds to the Dolphins 1 goal and 1 behind to win the game by 31 points – a 52-point turnaround from 3 quarter time.
Casey Scorpions 14.13 – 97 def Frankston Dolphins 10.6 – 66
The game was won through the centre of the ground with Max Gawn having a major impact on giving his midfielders first use. Gawn had a massive 40 hitouts, accompanied by hard work all over the ground as he also had 22 disposals, 10 marks and 1 tackle which gave him the best on ground offers for mine.
Accompanying Gawn in the best was Neville Jetta, Joel Macdonald and David Rodan.
As mentioned previously, Neville Jetta played a massive part in the last quarter by kicking two goals, but also played consistently well off the half black flank for the rest of the game. Jetta ended up with 21 disposals, 8 marks, 6 inside 50s and 4 tackles in what was his best game of the year.
Joel MacDonald also had a good return to form after playing in the development squad last week. MacDonald played a strong defensive role and won a lot of the contested ball. He helped the Scorpions by gathering 21 disposals, taking 7 marks which were mainly contested, and also had 3 spoils in a good game for him.
David Rodan had an influential game for the Scorpions. As an experienced player, he was able to adjust to windy conditions and use the ball effectively. He provided a lot of run and carry through the centre of the ground and provided Casey with 5 inside 50s. Accompanying those inside 50s, he had 23 disposals 8 marks and kicked 1 goal.
In a game where the conditions were tough, there were really no disappointing performances from any of the Melbourne listed players. All players played a vital role in the game and good performances were seen from the following players; Rohan Bail, Dom Barry, Sam Blease, James Magner, James Sellar, Rory Taggert and Jimmy Toumpas.
Rohan Bail showed what he could do as he returned this week from a stint in the development squad last week. Bail put in an all around effort by collecting 19 disposals, 4 marks, 5 inside 50s and 3 tackles.
Dom Barry also showed improvements after a few games below his usual standards. Barry used the ball well and effectively with the wind and kicking into the wind. He ended up playing a vital role on the wing as he gathered 20 disposals.
Sam Blease again showed his pace as he played well as one of Casey’s main ball carriers. Blease was able to impact the game with his 20 disposals and 6 marks, while he also slotted a nice goal in the last quarter to consolidate the Scorpions victory.
James Magner played up to his usual standards; although he only had the 18 disposals, he played an all around game. Magner led the team in tackles again by getting 6 and was also able to hit the scoreboard by kicking 2 goals.
As mentioned previously, James Sellar played a strong defensive role for the first three quarters. Although he wasn’t able to register a tackle for the game, his marking and intercepting marking was on show. Sellar ended up with 12 marks and 18 disposals while also kicking 2 vital goals in a brilliant last quarter display.
Rory Taggert was able to have more impact on the game this week than last. He had a solid game playing in the midfield and going forward. He had 13 disposals but also took 8 marks, but he lacked defensive pressure by only having the 1 tackle.
Jimmy Toumpas showed his class in windy conditions. He was able to use the ball well and registered a game high 24 disposals. His disposals were accompanied by 8 marks and 3 tackles.
There was only one downer for the day for the Scorpions and that was Josh Tynan, Tynan got injured early in one of his first contests and played no further part in the game.
Although Frankston do not have an AFL affiliate club, they had some very good players on display – Scott Simpson, Corey Buchan, Luke Potts, Shane Hockey, Jake Dermott, Christopher Irving and Michael Lourey.
Scott Simpson was named best for Frankston with a fine display from his 20 disposals, 8 marks and a goal.
Corey Buchan had 20 disposals and 5 tackles.
Luke Potts had a team high 22 disposals and 4 marks.
Shane Hockey had 21 disposals and 4 tackles.
Jake Dermott had 17 disposals and 3 tackles.
Christopher Irving kicked 2 goals and gathered 16 disposals.
Michael Lourey had 10 disposals and kicked a game high 3 goals 3 behinds from 6 marks.
The win moves the Scorpions into 3rd with the Dolphins stay put at 11th.
The Frankston Dolphins development squad beat the Casey Scorpions development squad in which no AFL listed players played.
Frankston Dolphins 12.15 – 87 def Casey Scorpions 9.8 – 62
Results from around the ground
Northern Blues 13.16 – 94 def Sandringham Zebras 11.10 – 76
Coburg Tigers 23.16 – 154 def Bendigo 12.8 – 80
Box Hill Hawks 15.21 – 111 def Essendon 5.9 – 39
Geelong 19.21 – 135 def Williamstown 13.8 – 86
Werribee Tigers 20.16 – 136 def Port Melbourne 10.11 – 71
North Ballarat 14.12 – 96 def Collingwood 13.13 – 91
Ladder after Round 17
1. Geelong Cats
2. Box Hill Hawks
3. Casey Scorpions
4. Williamstown
5. Werribee Tigers
6. Port Melbourne
7. Northern Blues
8. North Ballarat
9. Collingwood
10. Essendon
11. Frankston Dolphins
12. Coburg Tigers
13. Sandringham Zebras
14. Bendigo
Round 18
Round 18 will see the Casey Scorpions play host to Bendigo at Casey Fields at 2:00pm on Saturday August 17.
The game should be easily won by the Scorpions who are playing 14th placed Bendigo who have gone winless for the year.
My prediction is that the Scorpions will win by 80 points.
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