By Marc McGowan
FINALS – and not a premiership – remain the focus for the Casey Scorpions despite vanquishing their sixth opponent in seven matches at Trevor Barker Oval on Saturday.
Collingwood fell 62 points short of the Scorpions to fall back into the pack of four teams on seven wins, while fourth-placed Casey moved two games clear of ninth-ranked Coburg.
The Magpies enjoyed brief stretches of dominance throughout the day, but the Scorpions largely controlled the match.
Both clubs have experienced windy conditions in recent weeks, but the advantage at the scoring end on the weekend was as strong as any this season.
Casey wasted little time making the most of the breeze and posted two goals inside the first five minutes through Matthew Whelan and Rian McGough.
But it took a thumping 65m kick from ruckman Tim Mohr to add a third major to the Scorpions’ total just before the 20-minute mark of the opening term.
And Collingwood looked to have struck a major blow when McGough conceded an unnecessary 50m penalty to send the Magpies forward and they managed to score a valuable goal soon after.
Late inclusion Nick Scanlon, who replaced tagger Jimmy Taylor (calf) in the line-up, responded almost immediately following a long Kyle Matthews’ (22 possessions and eight tackles) kick into attack, but Casey didn’t appear to have done enough.
Collingwood dominated the early stages of the second term, but kicked truly just once from its first five scoring shots to open the door for some rearguard action from the Scorpions.
Brad Miller (20) finished off a strong mark and pass from Danny Hughes for Casey’s fifth major and more direct football from the Scorpions resulted in another two.
The Magpies, on the other hand, continued to be erratic in front of goal and went into the long break 28 points behind.
It was clear late in the first half how much the game meant to Casey.
Mohr desperately launched himself at a contest to spoil and suffered a serious left knee injury.
And a similarly gritty effort from Ryan Creed, who went back with the flight of the ball and was knocked out just after resumption in the third quarter, was just as impressive.
Creed managed to return to the field later in the term, but the diagnosis is not so good for Mohr, who could face an extended stint on the sidelines in what was shaping as a breakthrough year for him.
Collingwood drew within 23 points of the Scorpions, courtesy of big man Chris Bryan’s first major, to threaten a comeback before Casey hit back.
Michael Stockdale produced one of his cameos at the other end to stretch the margin to 30, but it was Melbourne-listed forward Michael Newton who put the game out of the Magpies’ reach.
Three Newton goals in as many minutes blew the difference out to 51 and he also just missed a snap on the verge of three-quarter-time.
Matthews capped a brilliant personal display with 11 final-term disposals to lead the Scorpions to a five-goal-to-four quarter into the wind.
One highlight for the Magpies was Bryan’s booming 75m goal from just outside of the centre square, but it was little consolation for the hosts.
Casey had too many contributors, with Peter German-favourite Jordie McKenzie (28) and fellow Demons on-baller Shane Valenti (25) starring around the stoppages all afternoon.
German was delighted with his players’ courage, but refused to contemplate a premiership tilt.
“North Ballarat, Williamstown and Port Melbourne would certainly be the front-runners and we haven’t beaten one of those sides,” he said.
“You need everything to go right for you to win a premiership … so I just think you’re definitely putting the cart before the horse if you’re thinking premierships or anything like that.
“Our aim is still to make finals and that would be fantastic.”
The Scorpions take on Coburg at Casey Fields from 1.10pm on Saturday in their third ABC-broadcast encounter in four weeks.
