Melbourne rookie Tom Couch the hero in Casey Scorpions' win over Sandringham

MELBOURNE rookie Tom Couch was the hero of Casey Scorpions' dramatic four-point win over Sandringham yesterday.

Tom Couch

MELBOURNE rookie Tom Couch was the hero of Casey Scorpions' dramatic four-point win over Sandringham at the Trevor Barker Oval yesterday.

Couch kicked a 50m goal from a free in the final 30 seconds to put his side in front.

On the rebound after the centre bounce, Sandringham midfielder Farren Ray, one of the best on the ground, had the chance to be his side's match-winner, but he scored only a point from a set shot about 40m out as the final siren sounded.

Casey's win makes it equal premiership favourite with Port Melbourne.

Couch, 24, son of Geelong champion Paul Couch, kicked the winning goal with a sixth touch.

"I needed to do something, we want to make it to the top four," he said. "When Ray had the shot I was hoping he would miss."

Casey's best included Stefan Martin, who put his hand up for Melbourne consideration with 22 possessions, five marks and 2.2 after recovering from a quad injury.

Another was Jordan Gysberts, back from a broken jaw, who had 19 disposals and two goals.

St Kilda forward Beau Wilkes took 10 contested marks, had 14 disposals and booted 4.2, Adam Cockie had 27 touches, Ray 26 touches through the midfield while Tom Ledger and Brett Peake each had 18.

CARLTON defender Jeremy Laidler could be sidelined for several weeks after suffering a suspected recurrence of a dislocated patella playing for the Northern Blues against Geelong at Visy Park yesterday.

Northern Blues coach Robert Hyde said Laidler had landed awkwardly in a marking contest.

The team also lost Carlton rookie Tom Bell to an ankle injury.

Geelong won by 51 points with Billie Smedts having 22 touches, Shannon Byrnes 20, and Orren Stephenson and Simon Hogan being among the standouts.

Carlton coach Brett Ratten received a boost with Jordan Russell having 26 disposals, Kane Lucas 23 and five tackles, Ed Curnow 21 and 11 tackles and four clearances, and Paul Bower 21.

Bendigo Gold had a scare when Bombers forward Scott Gumbleton, 23, left the field with concussion against Werribee at Windy Hill.

Bendigo tall Tom Bellchambers was dominant in the 43-point win.

Nathan Ablett had 11 possessions and kicked a goal for Werribee.

REIGNING VFL premier Port Melbourne advanced to the semi-finals of the Foxtel Cup against Claremont at Patersons Stadium after a 22-point win over the South Adelaide Panthers in yesterday's quarter-final at the MCG.

Port midfielders Toby Pinwill and Sam Dwyer were the key players.

North Ballarat held sway with a 31-point win over Frankston at Eureka Stadium.