From the Sunday Age
Reported by Michael Sharkie

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CASEY Scorpions stepped out of one top-eight logjam and into another with a tenacious 31-point win against arch-rival Sandringham at Casey Fields yesterday. The Scorpions now join North Ballarat and Port Melbourne on equal points locked for second place.

Only percentage separated third-placed Sandringham and fourth-placed Casey before yesterday\'s VFL match of the round, and for three quarters little separated the two clubs on the field.

With Sandringham goal-machine Nick Sautner still sidelined with injury and St Kilda half-forward Charlie Gardiner a late call-up to the senior side only hours before the bounce of the ball, the game looked likely to boil down to a battle of the back lines. Casey\'s young defence, headed by Alex Silvagni and James Wall, was ranked No. 1 in the VFL before yesterday\'s game, having conceded only 741 points during the first nine rounds.

From the Pakenham Cardinia Leader
Reported by Paul Amy

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CASEY Scorpions president John Sharkie says it is not a given that his club will strike an alignment deal with the City of Casey-bound Melbourne.

With St Kilda ditching the Scorpions last week to enter a five-year agreement with Sandringham, there is an expectation in VFL circles that Casey and the Demons will get together.

But Sharkie said it was not a fait accompli and that the Scorpions would be prepared to go it alone next season. He said he had already discussed with VFL bosses a financial assistance package if Casey went without an AFL affiliate.

Sharkie said Melbourne first had to find about $350,000 to seal a move to become a co-tenant at Casey Fields, and then commit to a joint community projects program. "Don\'t assume anything. It\'s not over the line by any stretch," Sharkie said. "We won\'t be rushed into anything. It all has to be done properly."

  Casey Scorpions

Sandringham