VFL
FORMER AFL bad boy Brendan Fevola repaid Casey Scorpions' faith in him with a five-goal second half yesterday to set up a 27-point win over the Bendigo Bombers.
The Bombers controlled the match in the first half and led by 29 points at the main break, mainly through the efforts of Brent Prismall, Michael Quinn and Ricky Dyson in midfield.
But four goals from Fevola in the third quarter helped change the momentum of a seesawing contest at Casey Fields. ''Fev'' was the hero and the fans loved it.
Coach Brad Gotch said he was confident Fevola would dominate a VFL match this season, and after yesterday's performance it is evident that that day is not far away.
"I just want him to get fitter so he can manoeuvre," Gotch said.
Fevola took a one-handed grab and his leads were far more rapid and consistent than they were in his VFL senior return three weeks ago.
Jeremy Howe, with three goals, complemented Fevola's efforts. Tim Mohr was clinical in the stoppages, while Joel Macdonald provided some fast rebound from defence.
The Scorpions kicked 12 goals to two in the second half to win 19.11 (125) to 14.14 (98). The result bodes well for the team, which is now fourth on the VFL ladder and believes that, with Fevola firing, it can challenge Port Melbourne and Williamstown for the flag.
Reigning premier North Ballarat chalked up a 60-point win over Coburg Tigers at Eureka Stadium.
North Melbourne's Liam Anthony was ruthless in the midfield with 31 disposals, while Billy Driscoll and Cam Delaney also provided plenty of run in the 17.11 (113) to 6.17 (53) win.
Tom Hislop and Jeromey Webberley were among the Tigers' best.
Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald praised Anthony's performance in an overall team effort.
''In many ways that's what you're looking for when a bloke comes back from the AFL, that their effort was sound, and it was very sound," FitzGerald said.
Meanwhile, it appears that injury-prone Hawthorn ruckman Max Bailey may come into the AFL side's selection mix after starring for Box Hill.
With doubts surrounding the availability of David Hale, injured in the match against St Kilda yesterday, and Brent Renouf for next Sunday's clash against Sydney, Bailey appears set to challenge for a recall after coming back successfully from a third knee reconstruction.
He has played the past seven matches in the VFL and Hawks development coach Damian Carroll said he was "getting better with each game he plays".
Perhaps the forgotten ruckman on the Hawks list is rookie Paul Johnson, who got through unscathed in his return from injury for the Box Hill Hawks.
Johnson, a former West Coast Eagle and Demon who was taken with Hawthorn's final rookie selection in March, injured his foot in a pre-season match but is considered a back-up option for the Hawks' tall stocks in the second half of the season.
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