EXPLOSION by KC from Casey

Young Demon forward Sam Weideman's 2017 has been up and down all year. There have been times when he looked good and others, not so - but he showed enough promise to suggest that at some stage, he would break out and play a really strong game at VFL level. The explosion came in the opening quarter at City Oval, Box Hill when the young forward bagged four goals to set up the Casey Demons' fifth consecutive win after a flat start to the season.

Weideman's goals came from strong marks including a couple that were strongly contested. His confidence built and his kicking for goal, usually a strong point, was a treat to watch, even when he was shooting from outside fifty. Early in the second term he took a screamer and slotted his fifth and from then on he was double and triple teamed which limited his output until he fittingly kicked the easiest of goals for his sixth late in the game.

The effect of the full forward's heroics was infectious and the Casey midfield, many with their own cases to put to the Melbourne selectors, put their hands up with some prolific efforts. Jay Kennedy-Harris has had a sensational month producing big possession numbers in 3½ games (he was rested from half time as the carry over emergency in the Collingwood game a fortnight ago). His haul this time of 39 disposals certainly sent a message while Ben Kennedy was close behind with 35 touches. Dean Kent also produced the kind of display his coaches have been expecting of him all season and his 34 disposal game was electric. They were well backed up by the experience of Jack Trengove and the consistency of rookie Corey Maynard. Meanwhile, Mitch White was a tower of strength and quietly went about the job of stoutly defending anything that came near him.

Light-bodied youngster Bayley Fritsch was always a danger around goals and provided the perfect foil for Weideman to finish with three goals. James Munro and Mitch Gent were again solid as usual.

The game didn't go all Casey's way. After leading by 17 points at the main break, the visitors saw their lead dwindle to just four points halfway through the third term with Fritsch steadying the ship. A couple of goals from Tyrone Vickery for the Hawks caused a few heart flutters but Casey finished the game strongly with the last two goals to ensure a fifth straight victory and consolidate their position in the VFL top 8.

Peter Jackson VFL 2017

Casey Demons 5.1.31 7.7.49 11.9.75 14.15.99

Box Hill Hawks 2.1.13 5.2.32 8.5.53 11.7.73

Goals 

Casey Demons Weideman 6 Fritsch 3 Scott 2 Cox Gent Morris 

Box Hill Hawks Vickery 4 Brolic Stewart 2 Adduci Jones Willsmore  

Best

Casey Demons Kennedy Kennedy-Harris Weideman White Kent Trengove

Box Hill Hawks Moore Cousins Stewart Whitecross Vickery Warren

Statistics

AFL Vic Development League 2017

Casey Demons 7.2.44 13.2.80 16.6.102 19.9.123

Box Hill Hawks  4.3.27 6.7.43 8.12.60 12.13.85

Goals

Casey Demons Gardiner 4 Dam Johnston Machaya 3 Baker Cotte Vander Haar 2 Dwyer Foote  Lefau  

Box Hill Hawks Godwin Hehir 2 Burt Codd-Miller Cox Kilpatrick  Murphy Traynor Walker Williams  

Best

Casey Demons Dan Johnston Dam Johnston Machaya Ambler Dwyer Vander Haar

Box Hill Hawks  O'Sullivan Horner Walker Godwin Rusan Hollins