CASEY's top four hopes have been dealt a serious blow following Sunday's 23-point loss to Collingwood at Victoria Park.

The third term proved the difference in the clash with the Magpies moving above the Scorpions on the ladder following the win – 12.11 (83) to Casey's 9.6 (60). 

Alex Neal-Bullen was a standout for the Scorpions with 37 possessions along with Jordie McKenzie while Jack Fitzpatrick failed to see out the game with a foot injury.

With a howling wind blowing to the eastern side of the ground, the Magpies were able to lock down early and prevent the Scorpions from taking full advantage of the wind.

Rookie Mitchell White kicked the opener of the game, 16 minutes in, with quality scoring chances coming at a premium. Collingwood's Ben Reid kicked the Magpies’ first deep into red time, but a long running goal from Ben Newton moments before the siren gave the Scorpions a nine-point lead at the first break.

Kicking towards the Sherrin Stand against the wind in the second term, Max King weaved through traffic and kicked one with the outside of his boot to extend the Casey lead inside two minutes.

Turnovers and horrible kicking were a regular feature of the game with players from both sides having trouble reading the ball in flight. Collingwood was able to take the lead with three goals towards the back end of the term and take a goal advantage into half-time.

Any hope of the game clearing up was dashed as rain welcomed the start of the second half. Oscar McDonald provided a highlight early when his launch to the hotspot carried over the pack and bounced through for a goal from 75 metres out.

But the home side was able to respond immediately through Clinton Young and looked the far better side, kicking the next three goals against the wind before Jordie McKenzie was able to stem the bleeding with a nice running goal.

Another Collingwood major to Ben Reid was followed by Mitchell White's second goal to give the Scorpions a pulse at the last change, with the Magpies leading by 16 points.

The wind and rain increased and it seemed almost impossible that Casey could hold the ball in their attacking half of the ground for any period of time. King kicked his second while Jayden Hunt kicked two last quarter goals in some positive signs for the Scorpions.

Back with Casey after five matches at AFL level, Neal-Bullen’s 37 disposals included 17 kicks, 20 handballs and six tackles.

McKenzie and Dean Terlich relished the conditions with 29 and 27 touches respectively and combined with Rohan Bail, who had 31 touches and 11 tackles.

Newton impressed with 25 disposals, Aidan Riley had 23 and White had 18 touches to go with his two goals. Mark Jamar had 14 touches as Casey again dominated the hit-outs and won the clearances.

The Scorpions will remain two games clear inside the top eight but now sit a game outside the top four  and a win behind Collingwood with five games remaining.

They take on Werribee at Casey Fields on Sunday in what will be another massive game between two sides fighting it out for superior position in the finals race.

Click back to melbournefc.com.au later this week for a full round up by Casey coach Justin Plapp.