CATS STRIKE by Ice Station

The Casey Demons were literally blown off the park in the space of a few minutes on either side of the half time break against Geelong VFL at Simonds Stadium on Saturday afternoon and ultimately lost the game by six goals.

The Demons were opposed to a stronger, taller and far more experienced Cats outfit and were always going to be up against it, especially after they lost back up ruckman Declan Keilty who was concussed  in the very early stages of the game. 

This left youngster Mitch King, in only his second game back after a knee reconstruction and a further injury which cut deeply into his pre season as the team's only true big man on the ground following the club's rash of injuries. King battled manfully but had to cope with a number of talls in the home team's lineup which included the seasoned Rhys Stanley who also drifted forward to boot three goals for the game.

Casey was restricted to just 11 AFL listers including rookies and had a bevy of VFL youngsters in the team. The game also marked the debuts of Frankston Dolphins player Nathan Gardiner and 27 year old on baller Sean Dwyer from Lang Lang. 

Casey was more than competitive in a four low-scoring struggle despite the Geelong's edge in experience in the first half and led by 8 points late in the second term. The Cats struck them a major blow with two goals in the the last two minutes including one on the siren and then opened the second half strongly booting three unanswered goals in the first 10 minutes to skip away to a 20 point lead.

The teams went goal for goal to three quarter time. Casey vice-captain Angus Scott was the saviour again with a couple of goals as the depleted Demon forward line struggled to impact the scoreboard. Scott was his team's only goal scorer in the final term as a stronger and faster Geelong raced away to a six goal victory. 

The visitors were once again well served by Jack Trengove (27 touches) who was particularly instrumental in his team's strong showing early in the game. Defender Josh Wagner who has had an injury riddled past couple of months returned in good form in defence and Dean Kent had a much better game this week. 

Experienced Casey listed players Mitch Gent, James Munro lent valuable support to team leaders Jack Hutchins and the goalkicker in Scott but overall the home side was too good finishing with 10 goals to Casey’s four in the second half.

Although the team is only outside the top eight on percentage, it will struggle to keep in touch as long as Melbourne's injury woes continue. This week's opposition Werribee also has just one win to its credit but poses another tough assignment at Hoppers Crossing on Sunday.

Peter Jackson VFL 2017

Casey Demons 2.1.13 4.2.26 7.5.47 8.8.56 

Geelong VFL 1.3.9 4.6.30 10.7.67 14.8.92

Goals

Casey Demons Scott 3 Fritsch Gardiner Kennedy Kent White   

Geelong VFL Stanley 3 Atkins Buzza  Jones 2 Capiron Cunico Henry House Reid 

Best

Casey Demons Wagner Kent Hillard Gent Munro Trengove

Geelong VFL Stanley Reid Tsitas Atkins Ruggles Gardner

Statistics