EXPLOSION by KC from Casey

[Demonland 64,416]

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

Liam Hulett 2 behinds 5 kicks 4 handballs 9 disposals 2 marks 1 tackles 35 dream team points 

Dion Johnstone 1 behind 7 kicks 8 handballs 15 disposals 5 marks 6 tackles 34 dream team points 

Declan Keilty 3 kicks 8 handballs 11 disposals 3 marks 4 tackles 51 dream team points 

Ben Kennedy 26 kicks 9 handballs 35 disposals 6 marks 2 tackles 121 dream team points 

Jay Kennedy-Harris 22 kicks 17 handballs 39 disposals 7 marks 7 tackles 151 dream team points

Dean Kent 21 kicks 13 handballs 34 disposals 8 marks 6 tackles 135 dream team points

Mitch King 5 handballs 5 disposals 1 tackle 5 hit outs 19 dream team points

Corey Maynard 13 kicks 12 handballs 25 disposals 5 marks 4 tackles 92 dream team points

Jake Spencer 1 kick 6 handballs 7 disposals 1 mark 6 tackles 25 hit outs 69 dream team points

Jack Trengove 10 kicks 3 handballs 13 disposals 7 marks 4 tackles 73 dream team points

Sam Weideman 6 goals 8  kicks 6 handballs 14 disposals 5 marks 89 dream team points

Mitch White 20 kicks 5 handballs 25 disposals 8 marks 3 tackles 100 dream team points

 

The Casey Demons held onto third spot on the Development League ladder with a comfortable 38-point win over last year's premiers. The Johnston brothers again stood out.

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