Scorpions get new sting

By Marc McGowan
EXPECT to see a completely different Casey Scorpions outfit in 2009.
The Scorpions enter the season with back-to-back finals appearances behind them.
But new coach Peter German – the club’s third mentor in as many years – is warning against looking for parallels between this season’s team and those of the past two.
Melbourne is Casey’s new AFL partner after St Kilda officials decided to jump ship to align with VFL powerhouse Sandringham.
“I just don’t know what I’ve really got yet,” German said.
“I hope we don’t get off to a bad start because of the new alignment, but I think it may take us half a season to really work in and get the alignment going.
“The St Kilda players Casey got last year were outstanding – the two Gardiners (Michael and Charlie) and (Aaron) Fiora – those types of players.
“They had half an AFL side coming back each week.”
The Scorpions have also lost key members Chris Dunne, Steven O’Bryan and Stefan Garrubba over the summer.
But an influx of talent, including former AFL-listed players Peter Faulks and Glenn Chivers, Matthew Moore, Pierce Liddle, Nick Scanlon, Michael Stockdale and Ben MaCreadie, should ensure Casey is at least competitive this year.
Last season’s best-and-fairest winner James Wall, skipper and two-time VFL team-of-the-year recipient Kyle Matthews and star full-back Alex Silvagni remain at Casey Fields.
The trio will be vital if the Scorpions, which have split tight pre-season matches with Box Hill and Frankston, are to enjoy success.
Former coach Greg Hutchison structured his team around a strong backline, with Wall, Silvagni, James Taylor and Evan Panozza featuring strongly, but German will implement a more attacking game plan.
“I like to think I’m an offensively minded coach. It’s not going to be built from defence,” German said.
“It will probably be built from the midfield out. I still demand a high regard for defence – don’t worry about that.
“It’s not going to be one-way traffic. I’d be disappointed if sides kick big scores on us.”
German also hopes to blood around half a dozen Casey players this season alongside Melbourne’s up-and-coming youth.
The ex-Kangaroo centreman admitted to being excited at the prospect of coaching the Demons’ number-one draft pick, Jack Watts, at some stage this year.
“It’s all about him being able to cut his teeth at this level and that’s what’s exciting for the VFL – that there are those types of players who are hopefully future champions,” German said.
The Scorpions start their campaign against Sandringham at Trevor Barker Oval on Sunday, 12 April.