WILLY NILLY by KC from Casey

In their first outing in their new colours and under their new name, the Casey Demons failed to bring home the points against Williamstown at Burbank Oval on Easter Monday despite a bright start.

The new look Casey combination was a far cry from the team that topped the VFL ladder in 2016 and came within a game of winning the premiership and the 23-point loss was probably flattering given their mistake-riddled efforts on the day.

The performance came just a few weeks after the Demons demolished the Seagulls in a practice match with a withering seven goal to one final quarter at Casey Fields. The difference was that back then they had Jake Spencer dominating the ruck, and Dom Tyson and Dean Kent doing as they pleased around the ground supported by a dozen other AFL listed players. 

This time around, it was a different story with Melbourne's injury toll and a couple of suspensions conspiring to limit the team to 12 AFL Demons including a few rookies and players with limited experience at the top level. They started strongly but like the Demons on Saturday were unable to assert their early dominance on the scoreboard. 

With Williamstown's experienced ruckman  Nick Meese dominating with 63 hit-outs for the day against Casey's undersized rucks in Cam Pedersen and Declan Keilty, the Seagulls took over in the engine room and dominated centre clearances allowing them to grab the lead early in the second term and hold the ascendency with a well earned eight point lead at the main break. 

The Demons were not let down by Angus Scott whose terrier-like play contributed three valuable first half goals (he finished with four for the day.

After half time, the Demons decided to channel their AFL counterparts with an insipid third quarter effort which failed to yield a single goal. Much of this was self-inflicted but in saying that, one shouldn't take anything away from the relentless pressure  and tackling of the Seagulls who coasted to a match-winning 31 point lead at the final break. Casey had little focus and failed to judge the conditions at the ground. While they reduced the margin at the end, they were never really in the hunt from 10 minutes into the second term. 

Apart from Scott, the team's major contributors were the experienced Jack Trengove (33 touches) and Michael Hibberd (25), the latter a strong possibility for immediate promotion to the Melbourne side and the former, not without his own chances. Others to feature were Angus Brayshaw, Ben Kennedy and Pedersen. A shining light for the future would have to be Category B rookie and ex-NBL basketballer Corey Maynard who picked up 25 disposals on debut for the club.

Of the VFL contingent, Scott was the stand out and Ed Morris was dependable as usual but the remainder were overwhelmed by the occasion. One who did display something was ex-Sandringham Dragon youngster Goy Lok who showed some pace and skill but missed two easy chances to goal from close in during the game. He should be able to improve on that to become a handy footballer.

The Demons should be able to do likewise at home on Saturday night when they take on the hapless North Ballarat Roosters who looked out of their depth when demolished by Richmond to the tune of 30 goals last week.