A ROAD TOO FAR by KC from Casey

[Demonland 64,417]

The Casey Demons didn't have far to travel when they took on Richmond VFL Tigers in neighbouring Beaconsfield in a pivotal game as far as their finals aspirations were concerned.

Unfortunately, they played the first half as if they had traveled thousands of kilometres and were still suffering jet lag, managing only a single point in the opening quarter against the inaccurate Tigers who were helped by a goal on the siren to 2.5.17 and a 16 point lead. For Casey the trip seemed like a journey down a road too far.

The Demons were always going to be in trouble in this match given that the injuries ravaging the club at AFL level meant that only 9 of the Melbourne list were selected for the game - half that of the Richmond team. Of those, only five had any AFL experience at all and in any event, a few of the Demon listers made minimal contributions to the team effort. 

Matters only got worse when the home side straightened up and outscored the Demons by four goals kicking 5.1 to 1.1 in the second term to blow out to an insurmountable 40 point lead by the main break. Casey's only goal for the half came from the boot of small man Aloysio Ferreira whose spectacular scissor kick was one of the team's few highlights to that stage apart from the hard work of Jack Trengove and Ben Kennedy.

That pair and rookie Corey Maynard provide the few touches of class on the visiting side for much of the match. Ruckman Jake Spencer held his own in the ruck duels but like many of his teammates achieved little with the football.

With the game virtually done and dusted and rain falling, the Demons finally made a better fist of things after half time. The defence worked hard to shut down the strong Tiger attack and while the game became a scramble, the Demons managed to prevent Richmond from pushing out their lead in the third term. While the Tigers relaxed a little at the end, Casey finished strongly to keep the margin down to 28 points in the end. 

Corey Maynard continued to impress with his hardness at the ball while Casey's Mitch Gent, Bayley Fritsch and Angus Scott (2 goals each in the second half) and James Munro (17 tackles) in defence were the best of the VFL listed players.

Casey should welcome the week's bye because it desperately needs a boost in personnel if it is to challenge for the finals.

Peter Jackson VFL 2017

Casey Demons 0.1.1 1.2.8 3.3.21 7.6.48

Richmond VFL 2.5.17 7.6.48 9.8.62 11.10.76

Goals

Casey Demons Fritsch Scott 2 Ferreira Kennedy Maynard

Richmond VFL Bzenic 3 Elton Moore 2   Bolton Ellis Silvestro Townsend

Best 

Casey Demons Trengove Maynard Munro Fritsch Kennedy Johnstone

Richmond VFL Broad Townsend Beasley Moore Bzenic Fletcher

Statistics 

 

Dion Johnstone 4 kicks 7 handballs 11 disposals 13 tackles 77 dream team points 

Declan Keilty 3 kicks 3 handballs 6 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 26 dream team points 

Ben Kennedy 1 goal 19 kicks 13 handballs 32 disposals 3 marks 5 tackles 114 dream team points

Mitch King 3 kicks 4 handballs 7 disposals 1 marks 1 tackles 14 hit outs 36 dream team points

Corey Maynard 1 goal 13 kicks 12 handballs 25 disposals 3 marks 7 tackles 100 dream team points

Jake Spencer 2 kicks 8 handballs 10 disposals 5 tackles 37 hit outs 77 dream team points

Jack Trengove 1 behind 14 kicks 12 handballs 26 disposals 4 marks 4 tackles 93 dream team points

Sam Weideman 1 behind 4 kicks 3 handballs 7 disposals 5 marks 2 tackles 42 dream team points

Mitch White 13 kicks 5 handballs 18 disposals 5 marks 4 tackles 78 dream team points

 

The Development League team returned to the winning list after struggling early in the game and then taking control after half time.

AFL Vic Development League 2017

Casey Demons 2.0.12 5.3.33 8.3.51 11.7.73 

Sandringham 2.5.17 6.7.43 7.7.49 8.10.58

Goals 

Casey Demons Ambler Baker Gardiner 2 Armour W Collis Freeman Gill-Renouf Rout

Sandringham Rich Sakeson 2 Bailey Gregson Larkin Lopo

Best

Casey Demons Baker W Collis Hillard Dan Johnston Dam Johnston Byers

Sandringham Laumets Bailey Grace Rich Sakeson Pavlou