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Casey Fields and the Casey Scorpions played host to a struggling Bendigo Gold side last Saturday.
The game was always going to be a percentage-booster for the Scorpions as they were trying to push their way higher in the top four, while Bendigo had gone winless all year.
The Scorpions led at every change with Bendigo never looking like having a chance. Casey had kicked eight goals to Bendigo’s two at half time, giving them a 35-point lead at the main break.
After half time the Scorpions came out on fire kicking 15 unanswered goals in the second half to Bendigo’s four points.
The 129-point win for the Scorpions meant they kept third position, while Bendigo stayed winless at the bottom of the ladder.
Casey Scorpions 23.11 – 149 def Bendigo Gold 2.8 – 20
Although the Scorpions had a massive win the main headline of the day was the retirement of Joel MacDonald.
MacDonald had a memorable last game the majority of which was spent in the backline, but a move from coach Rohan Welsh in the last quarter saw him join the forwards to hopefully kick some goals and help build valuable percentage.
MacDonald did just that as he was able to have five last-quarter shots on goal which resulted in 2.3.
Along with his two goals he was able to gather 26 disposals, 10 marks, three tackles and two spoils which landed him deservingly in the best for Casey.
MacDonald has decided to end his career and will not take part in any further games for Casey or Melbourne. His career stats are below.
Accompanying MacDonald in the best for the Scorpions were Max Gawn, James Magner, David Rodan and Jimmy Toumpas.
Max Gawn backed his previous best on efforts from last week and earned another against Bendigo.
Gawn played an outstanding game in the ruck by giving the Scorpion midfielders first use.
He did this by having a massive 59 hitouts (Bendigo only had 21). If his ruck efforts weren’t enough he played a huge game all over the ground.
Gawn managed 27 disposals, 14 marks, four tackles and three goals which resulted in 205 AFL fantasy points in a game that should see him back at Melbourne this week.
With Gawn winning the majority of the hitouts the Scorpions midfielders were set up to win plenty of the ball.
The major ball winner for the Scorpions was James Magner who ended up having a huge 51 disposals (15 kicks, 36 handballs).
Magner was all over the ground as he also managed a game high 14 hard ball gets and also accumulated three tackles.
This performance should also see him play for Melbourne this week.
David Rodan was also in the best as he played a very good game by gathering 26 disposals and four tackles.
Rodan also provided two highlights for the day as he kicked two amazing running goals, one from which he ran from half back after a stoppage. He ended with three goals for the game.
It was the Rodan of old, and this game should do him no harm in his chances to play for Melbourne this week.
Along with these players in the best was Jimmy Toumpas.
Toumpas had 32 disposals and 12 marks, although most of his disposals were uncontested and in the back half, they were efficient as he also provided the Scorpions with seven inside 50s.
In a game where goals were easy to come by for the Scorpions, Rory Taggert was able to find some form and kick five goals, one behind, which was a very good goal kicking effort in windy conditions.
Taggert also managed 13 disposals and eight marks and destroyed Bendigo’s backline with fellow small forward Jake Best also kicking five.
Dan Nicholson and Rohan Bail provided Casey with a lot of run and carry from the wings.
Nicholson put on a strong performance having 30 disposals, four marks and six inside 50s providing the Scorpions forwards with great opportunities.
Rohan Bail also played a strong game as he was both good defensively and offensively. Bail ran hard both ways and was able to put in another consistent four quarter effort for the second week in a row. Bail ended up with 21 disposals, one goal and six tackles.
Neville Jetta backed up his performance from last week as he was able to have another impacting game. He had 19 disposals and three tackles from playing on the half back flank.
In a game were the Scorpions backline didn’t see much of the ball James Sellar and Josh Tynan played their part in defence when needed. Sellar ended up with 17 disposals.
Josh Tynan returned from injury and also had an impact in the backline by playing well defensively, gathering 18 disposals, seven marks and five tackles.
The only dampener on the game was the knee injury to Jesse Hogan in the first quarter. Hogan did not partake any further in the game and was taken to hospital for scans.
Due to this injury Hogan will be out for the remainder of the season.
Bendigo Gold has no affiliation with an AFL club and struggle with games week in week out as they have gone winless all year.
Due to this they may not partake in the VFL next year as they are definitely not up to the standard this year.
Although they got smashed they had some players that put in as best they could they were; Alik Magin, Jake Aarts, Sam Heavyside, Steven Stroobants and Daniel Toman.
Alik Magin was named best for Bendigo with a fine display from his 28 disposals, four marks and four tackles.
Jake Aarts only managed the nine disposals but played hard defensively having a game-high 12 tackles.
Sam Heavyside managed 22 disposals and six tackles.
Steven Stroobants also managed the 22 disposals and two behinds.
Daniel Toman played an all around good game with 25 disposals, one goal and 10 tackles.
The Port Melbourne development squad played the Casey Scorpions at Frankston Oval and beat them by five points. No AFL listed players played.
Port Melbourne 7.11 – 53 def Casey Scorpions 6.12 – 48
Joel MacDonald career stats
Joel Macdonald #28
Drafted by: Brisbane Lions, 2003 rookie draft #70.
Then drafted by Melbourne, 2010 #1 Pre season draft.
Games: 124 (80 for Brisbane and 44 for Melbourne)
Career Highs: 32 disposals vs. St Kilda.
2 goals vs. Fremantle
Career: 124 games, 6 goals and 1 Brownlow vote
Results from around the ground
Essendon 18.15 – 123 def Frankston Dolphins 9.10 – 64
Geelong 15.12 – 104 def Port Melbourne 14.12 – 96
Collingwood 18.21 – 129 def Sandringham Zebras 10.9 – 69
Williamstown 10.12 – 72 def North Ballarat 8.5 – 53
Werribee Tigers 17.16 – 118 def Northern Blues 10.10 – 70
Box Hill Hawks 20.14 – 134 def Coburg Tigers 5.18 – 48
Ladder after Round 18
1. Geelong
2. Box Hill Hawks
3. Casey Scorpions
4. Williamstown
5. Werribee Tigers
6. Collingwood
7. Port Melbourne
8. Essendon
9. Northern Blues
10. North Ballarat
11. Frankston Dolphins
12. Coburg Tigers
13. Sandringham Zebras
14. Bendigo
Round 19
Round 19 is the last game of the home and away season in the VFL. The Box Hill Hawks will be hosting the Casey Scorpions at Box Hill City Oval on Saturday August 24 at 2.00pm.
The game will be a tightly contested one with both sitting on the same points, a win could see Box Hill stay second or a loss move them to third or fourth while the same goes for the Scorpions.
The game should be a close one but with the Hawks getting the points easily at Casey last time my prediction is that they will get the job done again on their home ground and win by 20 points.
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