Hands up who loves playing at Casey Fields: Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd was at his ritual best against Hawthorn in the NAB Challenge match against Hawthorn on Saturday.By Marc McGowan
ESSENDON proved too good for Hawthorn in their NAB Challenge meeting as the Australian Football League (AFL) came to Casey Fields on Saturday.
The Bombers triumphed by nine points, 10.14.74 to 9.11.65, courtesy of a seven-goal-to-one third quarter after trailing by 28 points at half-time.
A potential crowd of between 5000 and 10,000 was bandied around before the match and the locals did not disappoint.
They turned out early and in big numbers for the 2pm kick-off with the AFL’s official numbers tabulated at 10,099.
The match provided the area with a quality spectacle while still maintaining a ‘grassroots’ feel and very much a family atmosphere.
Casey Scorpions general manager Brian Woodman was delighted to have such a high-class display in Cranbourne East and confirmed that the AFL had given its tick of approval.
“The AFL was pleased enough to suggest it was something they could do again,” he said.
“We’re certainly pleased with the game and the crowd turnout.
“The AFL saw that the game provided the opportunity to get to people who don’t normally see it.”
Casey Council chief executive Mike Tyler was equally as happy with the day and said the date had been pencilled in for an AFL practice match when Casey Fields was in its infancy.
“It was a big weekend in Cranbourne and there was a lot taking place in Casey Fields,” he said.
“If you go way back before the dirt had even been turned, we targeted March 2007 for an AFL practice match.”
Tyler said the council was aiming for the practice match to become an annual fixture during the AFL pre-season and believes the region has a strong chance of achieving it.
“That was our intention back when we targeted this match in March 2007,” he said.
“I’d like to think within four or five years the infrastructure at Casey Fields will be considerably more than it is now.”
