An inexperienced Cats outfit lead for the majority of the match, only to be over run by a determined Casey Scorpions team under lights at Casey Fields. First year rookie Ben Johnson spearheaded the Cats attack kicking 3 goals as the Cats went down in a low scoring affair 9.18.(72) to 9.10.(64). A goal to Casey Scorpions midfielder Rian McGough with 2 minutes left handed the home side the 8 point victory.

With 11 players making their VFL debut for the Cats, the odds were stacked against the Cats as they took on a Casey side boasting talented AFL players such as Brad Miller, Stefan Martin, Addam Maric and Jack Watts.

Despite the lack of experience it was a dominant display by the Cats midfield as they smashed the Scorpions around the ground. Lead by Simon Hogan (32 disposals, 4 clearances, 8 tackles), VFL debutant Allen Christensen (32 disposals, 5 clearances, 5 tackles) and VFL listed player Mitchell Cuthill (28 disposals, 7 clearances, 6 tackles) the cats dominated the stoppages winning the clearances by 36 to 17. The midfield was given great service by ruckman Trent West (21 disposals, 7 marks, 21 hitouts) who returned to form with a dominant display.

The season opened in perfect fashion for the Cats as second year VFL listed player Kane Smith slotted through a classy left foot snap after a chain of slick handballs of handballs.

The great start brought loud cheers from the strong Cats crowd in attendance. The midfield presence of Simon Hogan (9 touches for quarter) and Allen Christensen (8 disposals) gave the Cats many opportunities going forward. Ben Johnson looked dangerous early, converting an early goal and setting up a number of other scoring opportunities. If not for inaccurate kicking the Cats would have held a bigger lead, as they went into quarter time 12 points up.

One of the key matchups was that of new recruit Marcus Drum on the talented youngster Jack Watts. It proved to be a good battle with the new improved (physically stronger) Jack Watts spending plenty of time pushing up the ground.

A long goal to Cats co-captain Matthew Firman and a mark and quality conversion to Johnson gave the Cats a 25 point lead early in the second term. Late goals to Jake Spencer and Stefan Martin put the Scorpions within fourteen points before a clever tap from Nathan Vardy gave Adam Varcoe a free kick which he duly converted to extend the lead to 20 points at the main break. The Cats were once again well served for the quarter by Cuthill (19 disposals to half time), Hogan (19 dispoals) and the impressive Geelong Falcon graduate James Rock (10 disposals).

The strong focus of both teams to win the contested ball was visible early in the third term with players putting their bodies on the line in an intense opening ten minutes after half time.

Casey gained the momentum with early goals to Stefan Martin (11 disposals, 3 goals) and Addam Maric (13 disposals, 1 goal) reducing the margin to nine points. At this point it seemed the more experienced Scorpion side was gaining the ascendency over the young Cats.

The fight back by the Cats was lead by a number of the VFL listed players in Jonathan Simpkin (18 disposals, 6 marks), Matthew Firman (17 disposals, 1 goal) and the impressive Ben Raidme (29 disposals, 1 goal) who wrestled back the momentum back for the team. Raidme’s 60 metre goal on the run was followed by a Johnson mark and goal that gave the Cats some breathing space at the 20 minute mark of the quarter. A quickly reply from talented Melbourne small forward Maric brought the Scorpions within nine points heading into the final term.

With four points on the line the game lifted a cog in the last quarter with players recklessly throwing themselves into every contest. Max Rooke started to shake his tag and win some crucial contests and setup a West mark and goal to put the Cats up by a handy 15 points at the 10 minute mark.

Once again though, Casey regained the ascendency midway through the quarter with goals to Macreadie and Dowse tying up the scores with just minutes remaining. Despite the efforts of Trent West, Simon Hogan and David Menzel, the Cats wasted opportunities came back to haunt them as McGough killed off the Cats spirits with a memorable match winning goal.

Although the group will be disappointed with the result, a number of positives will be taken out of the game. Strong games from Trent West, Jeremy Laidler, Simon Hogan, Ben Raidme, David Menzel and Allen Christensen will give the side plenty of confidence going into their first home game against the Box Hill Hawks next week.

For young VFL listed midfielder James Rock, the game provided the perfect opportunity for him to show what he has to offer at this level. “I was really happy I got to play in defence more today because that’s where I believe I play my best footy”.

Rock also gave a key insight into the psyche of the weary Cats as they were being slowly over run by Casey in the final term. “We could really feel it out on the park, we had our noses in front but we could feel the momentum shifting and the tiredness in the group meant we just could not hold onto hold on at the end”.

The Bendigo Bank Cats will be out to put the result behind them and get on the board next week against the Box Hill Hawks at Skilled Stadium next Sunday. The match kicks off at 10.10am and will act as a curtain raiser to the AFL Round 4 Geelong Vs Port Adelaide clash. The highlight of the day will be the unfurling of the 2009 AFL premiership flag.

Casey Scorpions 9-18-(72)
Bendigo Bank Cats 9-10-(64)
Goals: B.Johnson 3, West, Hogan, Varcoe, Firman, Smith, Raidme 1
Best: West, Hogan, Laidler, Gillies, Cuthill, Christensen.
Injuries: Nil
Reports: Nil