THE NIGHT HELL FROZE OVER by Ice Station 

As darkness fell over East Cranbourne early on Saturday evening, an already freezing day turned into a night of hell under lights for fourth placed Essendon at Casey Fields.

The conditions at the ground were not helped by the wind chill factor from the strong gusts of cold air blowing in from Antarctic regions that tested players and spectators alike. In the end, they suited the home team which was on a mission after sitting out a week for the bye that followed two poor games on end. The Casey Demons were in top-eight survival mode and simply had to win the points on the night to remain in the finals race. 

The Bombers failed to score a goal against the wind in this game while half of Casey's majors were kicked at the non-scoring end and that was the simple reason why they won by the margin of 15 points.

The start as always was going to be crucial especially with the Bombers opening with the aid of the strong breeze. It was wiry forward Bayley Fritsch who plucked a mark to convert for the first goal after a scrambly start five minutes into the game. The home side defended well to keep Essendon out and when they did finally break through, Mitch Gent was responsible for the quick reply so that they held the lead at the halfway mark of the term. Two quick goals from the Bombers gave them the ascendancy but strong defence from the Demons held them out until a late goal saw them 15 points in arrears at the first break. It took a lot of hard work to make up the deficit in the trying conditions and a succession of points flowed from missed opportunities before goals to Angus Scott and Cam Pedersen saw them nudge in front by a point by the time they welcomed the warmth of the sheds at half time.

After the break, the Bombers booted an early goal before the inspired Demons unleashed a three goal blitz against the wind that turned the game on its head. Essendon was forced to spend most of the remainder of the term in catch up mode but it did manage to rein in the lead. However, a lead of four points at the last change was not going to be enough for the visitors who looked spent after exhausting much energy and knowing they had to confront a howling gale to win the game.

The end came quickly and at the hands of Casey youngsters Bayley Fritsch and Aloysio Ferreira who made powerful statements with goals in the first eight minutes of the final stanza. Fritsch, already a state representative and the leading Casey goal kicker for the season, notched the first two and would no doubt be on the books of every AFL scout. The game then petered out in scrambly conditions but coach Justin Plapp would have been happy with pluck and the spirit of his charges. 

The team was well led by skipper Jack Hutchins and the experienced Jimmy Munro and the stout defence that kept a strong opponent to just three goals after quarter time. The Demons would be delighted by the return of Angus Brayshaw after a long time out with concerns over concussion injuries and rookie Corey Maynard continues to rack up possessions with his strong play. Ben Kennedy toiled hard and got plenty of the football, Josh Wagner was a consistent performer throughout and Declan Keilty was good, putting in one of his better performances of the season.

The Demons are undefeated at home this year and they take on lowly Coburg at Casey Fields next Sunday in a game that looms as a vital one to win in order to retain their top-eight aspirations.

Peter Jackson VFL 2017

Casey Demons 2.1.13 4.7.31 7.8.50 10.11.71

Essendon VFL 4.4.28 4.6.30 7.12.54 7.14.56

Goals 

Casey Demons Fritsch 3 Ferreira Pedersen 2 Gent Scott J Smith 

Essendon VFL Begley Francis Hind  Hocking McKernan Merrett Stanton

Best Fritsch Hutchins Maynard Munro Keilty Wagner

Essendon VFL Mutch Merrett Howlett Hocking Bird Dea

Statistics 

Angus Brayshaw 1 behind 17 kicks 8 handballs 25 disposals 5 marks 4 tackles 100 dream team points 

Dion Johnstone 7 kicks 7 handballs 14 disposals 2 marks 5 tackles 55 dream team points 

Declan Keilty 5 kicks 5 handballs 10 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 39 dream team points 

Ben Kennedy 12 kicks 16 handballs 28 disposals 2 tackles 74 dream team points

Mitch King 4 kicks 2 handballs 6 disposals 2 marks 8 hit outs 31 dream team points

Corey Maynard 1 behind 9 kicks 21 handballs 30 disposals 3 marks 5 tackles 95 dream team points

Cam Pedersen 2 goals 8 kicks 5 handballs 13 disposals 5 marks 5 tackles 78 dream team points

Joel Smith 1 goal 2 kicks 8 handballs 10 disposals 3 marks 4 tackles 53 dream team points

Jake Spencer 1 behind 6 kicks 4 handballs 10 disposals 4 tackles 22 hit outs 63 dream team points

Billy Stretch 9 kicks 13 handballs 22 disposals 13 tackles 93 dream team points

Josh Wagner 2 behinds 11 kicks 13 handballs 24 disposals 3 marks 9 tackles 106 dream team points

Sam Weideman 3 kicks 11 handballs 14 disposals 1 mark 1 tackle 38 dream team points 

Mitch White 9 kicks 2 handballs 11 disposals 1 mark 3 tackles 43 dream team points

The Demons are headed towards the finals in the last year of the Development League after winning by the same 15-point margin against the Northern Blues in the early game.

AFL Vic Development League 2017

Casey Demons 3.3.21 3.5.23 6.10.46 7.12.54

Northern Blues 1.1.7 3.4.22 3.4.22 5.9.39

Goals

Casey Demons Zijai 2 Briggs Cox Gardiner  Hillard  Lewis-Smith 

Northern Blues Jordan 4 Thorpe 

Best

Casey Demons Gordon Lok Hulett Zijai Briggs Dan Johnston

Northern Blues Bolger Ballard Jordan Thorpe Lentini Krithararis

9 hours ago, binman said:

Great touch that casey also played in the Koori jumper, which by the by i reckon is spectacular. i saw at the g today on the big screen that in addition to jumpers they have them in t shirts also. Will have to buy one.

Both my kids at the g were lucky enough to get the Koori tshirts at the g yesterday.

One from Jeff Garlett (signed by Jeff and nev Jetta) and the other from jake melksham. Some older kid in a north Melb jumper tried to snatch it off my daughter and jake said no chance and made sure she got it.

anyway they look fantastic and I'm also going to get one!

 

The statistics are now up and they tell an interesting story.

Angus Brayshaw 1 behind 17 kicks 8 handballs 25 disposals 5 marks 4 tackles 100 dream team points 
Dion Johnstone 7 kicks 7 handballs 14 disposals 2 marks 5 tackles 55 dream team points 
Declan Keilty 5 kicks 5 handballs 10 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 39 dream team points 
Ben Kennedy 12 kicks 16 handballs 28 disposals 2 tackles 74 dream team points
Mitch King 4 kicks 2 handballs 6 disposals 2 marks 8 hit outs 31 dream team points
Corey Maynard 1 behind 9 kicks 21 handballs 30 disposals 3 marks 5 tackles 95 dream team points
Cam Pedersen 2 goals 8 kicks 5 handballs 13 disposals 5 marks 5 tackles 78 dream team points
Joel Smith 1 goal 2 kicks 8 handballs 10 disposals 3 marks 4 tackles 53 dream team points
Jake Spencer 1 behind 6 kicks 4 handballs 10 disposals 4 tackles 22 hit outs 63 dream team points
Billy Stretch 9 kicks 13 handballs 22 disposals 13 tackles 93 dream team points
Josh Wagner 2 behinds 11 kicks 13 handballs 24 disposals 3 marks 9 tackles 106 dream team points
Sam Weideman 3 kicks 11 handballs 14 disposals 1 mark 1 tackle 38 dream team points 
Mitch White 9 kicks 2 handballs 11 disposals 1 mark 3 tackles 43 dream team points

I would be hoping that Max gets the ok after scans on his ankle because Jake Spencer's stats are not encouraging. I think he's taken one mark in three weeks.

On the other hand, Angus Brayshaw's numbers on his return are good. Now he needs to get over the hump of his second game and if he keeps up the standard, he might get a call up.

Corey Maynard just keeps on putting his hand up.

Thanks WJ for those detailed stats.

I was hoping that Weideman would be showing a little more as the season moves on. It seems that the 6 goal game against Box Hill was not the break out game that I hoped for. Understandable that last night's conditions may not have suited him with the strong winds but would definitely like to see him shine against Coburg this coming week.

Good to see that Wagner and Stretch had solid games from a possession viewpoint.

I agree on Jake ... he is showing very little around the ground and has not really done so since returning from injury.

Forget about Spencer being a replacement for Max, that role would fall to Pederson as surely everybody knows Spencer is a complete dud!

Weeds is a mystery wrapped in a riddle.Not ideal conditions for a big, but his stats suggest he wasn't at his best this week. Fingers crossed he can finish the year with a bang.

What is going on with Weideman???

14 minutes ago, SFebey said:

What is going on with Weideman???

Not much if he was not an MFC player he would be in the development league.

Just now, old dee said:

Not much if he was not an MFC player he would be in the development league.

Only 20 I suppose but showed promise in his first game and only one cracker in vfl since??

57 minutes ago, goodwindees said:

Forget about Spencer being a replacement for Max, that role would fall to Pederson as surely everybody knows Spencer is a complete dud!

I'm afraid beyond the odd hitout Spence has got nothin' - has been like this for years.

13 tackles from Stretch

10 hours ago, Adzman said:

Weeds is a mystery wrapped in a riddle.Not ideal conditions for a big, but his stats suggest he wasn't at his best this week. Fingers crossed he can finish the year with a bang.

He's the type of player who would be substantially better in the seniors than down at Casey. He'd be attracting 2 or 3 defenders down there because there's no other real tall target, plus the conditions are not normally anywhere near as good - ground, personal or delivery. 

I'm sure given another pre-season to get fitter and stronger that he'll make a very worthwhile contribution to the club, he did miss the whole of his draft year, so is coming from a long way back plus as a tall will naturally take longer anyway. I would like to see more tackles and pressure, similar to the Adelaide game, so he makes a contribution even if not kicking goals. 

11 hours ago, SFebey said:

What is going on with Weideman???

He doesn't work hard enough, plain and simple. It's not about marks, kicks and goals at this stage of his career. It's about making repeat leads; hitting packs to make a contest; chasing and tackling when we don't have possession. At present, if the ball doesn't land on his chest, he is basically a witches hat.

36 minutes ago, poita said:

He doesn't work hard enough, plain and simple. It's not about marks, kicks and goals at this stage of his career. It's about making repeat leads; hitting packs to make a contest; chasing and tackling when we don't have possession. At present, if the ball doesn't land on his chest, he is basically a witches hat.

Well his pressure and second efforts were epic in the win at Adelaide Oval so its not like its non existent.  He did it at AFL level,  in our best win of the season (so far).

 

You are all being overly critical of Sammy, stats do not tell the whole story. For those who actually saw the game (me) yes he was quiet but that's because he was double teamed all night, even sometimes triple teamed. What he did do well was compete strongly in the air, allowing the other forwards to get free and have big impacts.

At one stage he ran back against the flight of the ball and crashed couragesly into a big pack, taking a fantastic contested mark and then stabbing a kick to Pederson who then converted a goal. 

You can't expect a 20 year old kid who was getting 2 or 3 AFL level defenders at every contest to have a massive game mark/scoring wise.

God damn you dudes are crazy harsh 

1 hour ago, poita said:

He doesn't work hard enough, plain and simple. It's not about marks, kicks and goals at this stage of his career. It's about making repeat leads; hitting packs to make a contest; chasing and tackling when we don't have possession. At present, if the ball doesn't land on his chest, he is basically a witches hat.

??? Bizarre comments. Do you actually watch?

6 minutes ago, Drunkn167 said:

You are all being overly critical of Sammy, stats do not tell the whole story. For those who actually saw the game (me) yes he was quiet but that's because he was double teamed all night, even sometimes triple teamed. What he did do well was compete strongly in the air, allowing the other forwards to get free and have big impacts.

At one stage he ran back against the flight of the ball and crashed couragesly into a big pack, taking a fantastic contested mark and then stabbing a kick to Pederson who then converted a goal. 

You can't expect a 20 year old kid who was getting 2 or 3 AFL level defenders at every contest to have a massive game mark/scoring wise.

God damn you dudes are crazy harsh 

Fair points Drunkin but he has had at least 8 games back at VFL level where he has been a winner in only 1.

I went to watch the last game against Coburg on what was a perfect day for football and I closely observed his play. That day he was often pushed under the ball and I saw little evidence of leading. Will be interesting to see how he goes this week given that Coburg are not a power team.

His actions around the ground are laudable but he is in the team to take marks and that is how he will be ultimately be measured.

Tough game footy but after Cook and the Juice you can understand the skepticism that pervade the thinking of so many supporters. #Grow the Weed !

Is anyone able to comment on MItch King? Is he showing enough to earn another contract? He's very much developing, but does he look a prospect (to Casey watchers)?

1 hour ago, Drunkn167 said:

God damn you dudes are crazy harsh 

Thanks for that Drunkn.

We expect far too much of our young players.  I made the mistake of writing ANB off at the end of last season.  I'd written Hunt off.  I'd written Jetta off. I had Stretch with a bullet.  It's very easy to get young players wrong because firstly we don't see them all that much and secondly some just take a lot longer to progress than others.

I was quite buoyed by Weids stats.  He had 11 handballs and some kicks.  He was clearly involved.  He's not a mark it or it's all over player.  I think he'll take time but I think he has a lot of attributes.  If he plays with Hogan/Watts/McDonald he'll do better.  Hogan has set a totally unrealistic KPF benchmark and it's hard not to compare the two.

We all say how much we like the idea we are now good enough to let our youth develop at Casey but when Weid doesn't set the world on fire he's a dud.  Go figure.

 

2 hours ago, Drunkn167 said:

You are all being overly critical of Sammy, stats do not tell the whole story. For those who actually saw the game (me) yes he was quiet but that's because he was double teamed all night, even sometimes triple teamed. What he did do well was compete strongly in the air, allowing the other forwards to get free and have big impacts.

At one stage he ran back against the flight of the ball and crashed couragesly into a big pack, taking a fantastic contested mark and then stabbing a kick to Pederson who then converted a goal. 

You can't expect a 20 year old kid who was getting 2 or 3 AFL level defenders at every contest to have a massive game mark/scoring wise.

God damn you dudes are crazy harsh 

Hogan did!

2 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Fair points Drunkin but he has had at least 8 games back at VFL level where he has been a winner in only 1.

I went to watch the last game against Coburg on what was a perfect day for football and I closely observed his play. That day he was often pushed under the ball and I saw little evidence of leading. Will be interesting to see how he goes this week given that Coburg are not a power team.

His actions around the ground are laudable but he is in the team to take marks and that is how he will be ultimately be measured.

Tough game footy but after Cook and the Juice you can understand the skepticism that pervade the thinking of so many supporters. #Grow the Weed !

With good reason DJ.

I have seen little yet to suggest he is AFL quality. He has I guess a couple of years. I am not holding my breath because I don't see much above an average VFL player.

1 minute ago, old dee said:

Hogan did!

Are you seriously trying to compare Weids and Hogan!? They are completely different players development wise. Jesse has been built like a man since he was 16 and has been playing senior footy since he was 17. Plus he is just an absolute freak.

Sammy is a later bloomer, you can tell that just by looking at their physiques. Give Sam another 2 or so seasons for his body to get to Hogans level and then we can have this discussion.

Just now, Drunkn167 said:

Are you seriously trying to compare Weids and Hogan!? They are completely different players development wise. Jesse has been built like a man since he was 16 and has been playing senior footy since he was 17. Plus he is just an absolute freak.

Sammy is a later bloomer, you can tell that just by looking at their physiques. Give Sam another 2 or so seasons for his body to get to Hogans level and then we can have this discussion.

I look forward to it.

11 hours ago, Drunkn167 said:

You are all being overly critical of Sammy, stats do not tell the whole story. For those who actually saw the game (me) yes he was quiet but that's because he was double teamed all night, even sometimes triple teamed. What he did do well was compete strongly in the air, allowing the other forwards to get free and have big impacts.

At one stage he ran back against the flight of the ball and crashed couragesly into a big pack, taking a fantastic contested mark and then stabbing a kick to Pederson who then converted a goal. 

You can't expect a 20 year old kid who was getting 2 or 3 AFL level defenders at every contest to have a massive game mark/scoring wise.

God damn you dudes are crazy harsh 

Demonland Drunkin, that's what we do to kids that dont star from their first game, this site is littered with posters who've made premature and wrong predictions about our young kids. It's a rush to declare, "I was the first one who picked he'd be no good".

Weed will be ok, he'shown enough indicate he'll be a player, but he's not kicking 6 a week in the ones so he's no good, that mind you is the opinion of quite a few who haven't seen him play much at all.  They confuse him with Lucas Cook.