ODDS ON by KC from Casey

[Demonland 73,106]

The Casey Demons won their first VFL game under their new brand name with a 46 point victory over the North Ballarat Roosters who last week suffered the debacle of a 30 goal defeat at the hands of Richmond. 

The win was a not altogether convincing one in light of the fact that the Demons entered the game at odds on - the shortest price in my memory of $1.001 which means that you would have to bet $1,000.00 to win a dollar.

And very early in the piece, even that single dollar was in question in the slippery conditions under a lights at Casey Fields as the much-improved North Ballarat stood tall against the Demons when but for some inaccuracy in front of goal they might have held the lead at the first break. 

The Roosters whose stocks were boosted by several key players including veteran Lachie George from suspension for his 150th VFL game, rebounded well and even when the Demons hit their straps to kick four consecutive goals in the first half of the second quarter, they were able to counterpunch with consecutive goals before the dominance of Tom Bugg and breakout forward Bayley Fritsch gave the Demons a near five goal buffer at half time.

When the Demons again threatened to blow the game apart in the third quarter, they were thwarted by three goals from newcomer in Jacob Cooke-Harrison so that they had barely increased their lead by the final break.  

Tom Bugg continued to imprint his name on the game and finished with an impressive 32 disposal, five goal game that was also highlighted by eight tackles. He was assisted by a significant contribution from the VFL listed Demons led by Ed Morris, the fast-improving Aloysio Ferreira and Fritsch who finished with four goals. Mitch White was solid in defence and the experience of Cam Pedersen and Jack Trengove were important. The loss of Angus Brayshaw to another head knock put a dampener on the team's 46 point win.

Coach Justin Plapp would have been pleased by the efforts of some of his younger brigade. Young ruckman Mitch King did well on return from an ACL injury suffered in the opening round of 2016 while Dion Johnston was lively up forward and tackled strongly. His only blemish was his kicking for goal - his return for the day was three points. Goy Lok who missed some easy shots last week finally hit the target with a goal and was also nippy around the forward line.

The Demons travel to Skilled Stadium for next week's televised game against the Cats.

Casey Demons 3.1.19 9.5.59 14.8.92 19.13.127 

North Ballarat 2.5.17  4.7.31  9.8.62  12.9.81

Goals

Casey Demons Bugg 5, Fritsch 4 Keilty Pedersen 2 Briggs Ferreira Kent Lok Maynard Scott 

North Ballarat Cooke-Harrison Hooper 3 Cassidy Johnston Lockyer Payne Thoolen Walters

Best

Casey Demons Bugg Ferreira Pedersen Trengove Fritsch White

North Ballarat George Hooper Simpson Cooke-Harrison Walters Johnston   

Statistics 

Angus Brayshaw 3 kicks 6 handballs 9disposals 2 tackles 27 dream team points [injured]
Tomas Bugg 5 goals 1 behinds 23 kicks 9 handballs 32 disposals 6 marks 8 tackles 168 dream team points
Liam Hulett 6 kicks 5 handballs 11 disposals 2 marks 1 tackles 35 dream team points
Dion Johnstone 3 behinds 9 kicks 11 handballs 20 disposals 1 marks 7 tackles 75 dream team points 
Declan Keilty 2 goals 1 behinds 5 kicks 5 handballs 10 disposals 3 marks 8 tackles 12 hit outs 86 dream team points 
Ben Kennedy 1 behind 15 kicks 6 handballs disposals 9 marks 6 tackles 97 dream team points 
Dean Kent 1 goals 1 behind 10 kicks 4 handballs 14 disposals 1 marks 3 tackles 57 dream team points
Mitch King 2 kicks 5 handballs 7 disposals 2 marks 4 tackles 26 hit outs 59 dream team points
Oscar McDonald 8 kicks 8 disposals 3 marks 1 tackles 38 dream team points 
Corey Maynard 1 goal 9 kicks 14 handballs 23 disposals 2 marks 6 tackles 92 dream team points 
Cameron Pedersen 2 goals 1 behinds 7 kicks 9 handballs 16 disposals 6 marks 8 tackles 10 hit outs 110 dream team points  
Jack Trengove 9 kicks 9 handballs 18 disposals 5 marks 8 tackles 85 dream team points 
Mitchell White 21 kicks 4 handballs 25 disposals 8 marks 4 tackles 108 dream team points