The Casey Demons enjoyed the better of their first half against Port Melbourne on Saturday but fell away badly after half time to lose by 43 points.

The Borough enjoyed the early break with the game’s opening two goals but the Demons took control to go out to an 8 point lead at quarter time, an advantage that it held for most of the second term until a late goal to the visitors clawed the lead back to a point. 

The Casey ruck of Braydon Preuss and Liam Wale-Buxton were on top for most of the day and they fed their midfields well, especially in the first half. 

The change in the third quarter was devastating to the Demons who simply struggled to find the big sticks while Port could not miss. Their key forward in Jordan Lisle was outstanding pulling down marks and booting six for the day. Lisle kicked the first goal of the game in the opening minute but was well held until just before half time. He was too strong in the last half with four goals. 

The Borough’s accuracy in front of goal after the main break ultimately resulted in a landslide victory against a tired and depleted Demons.

James Munro (29 touches, 18 tackles) and Corey Wagner (23 disposals, 9 tackles) were outstanding and played their hearts out for the losing team while Tom Sparrow continued to show promise in the midfield.

Jake Lever got through his first game after his ACL injury and showed patches of his defensive brilliance in limited time on the ground.

Casey takes on Williamstown away from home next Sunday and must win to keep their finals hopes alive. 

2019 Hard Yakka / Totally Workwear VFL  

Casey Demons 4.1.25 7.1.43 8.6.54 9.7.61  

Port Melbourne 2.5.17 6.6.42 11.6.72 16.8.104  

Goals 

Casey Demons Bedford Lefau Preuss 2 Chandler Keilty Stephenson  

Port Melbourne Lisle 6 Lange 3 Phillips Walker 2 Johnstone O'Sullivan Pearson  

Best  

Casey Demons C Wagner Munro Sparrow Lefau Hutchins Wale-Buxton  

Port Melbourne Lange Hooper Wooffindin Lisle Blair Goodwin  

Statistics 

Toby Bedford 2 goals 1 behinds 5 kicks 2 handballs 7 disposals 3 marks 3 tackles 44 dream team points  
Jaxon Briggs 7 kicks 3 handballs 10 disposals 4 marks 6 tackles 60 dream team points  
Kade Chandler 1 goal 4 kicks 1 handballs 5 disposals 1 marks 4 tackles 40 dream team points  
Jake Di Pasquale 3 kicks 4 handballs 7 disposals 4 tackles 30 dream team points  
Tom Freeman 8 kicks 5 handballs 13 disposals 2 marks 37 dream team points  
Mitch Gent 6 kicks 9 handballs 15 disposals 1 marks 5 tackles 59 dream team points  
Jack Hutchins 2 kicks 5 handballs 7 disposals 1 mark 3 tackles 38 dream team points  
James Jordon 1 behind 9 kicks 5 handballs 2 disposals 3 marks 54 tackles dream team points  
Declan Keilty 1 goal 3 kicks 7 handballs 10 disposals 3 marks 4 tackles 7 hit outs 58 dream team points  
Mykelti Lefau 2 goals 8 kicks 5 handballs 13 disposals 4 marks 2 tackles 63 dream team points  
Jake Lever 7 kicks 7 disposals 2 marks 1 tackle 32 dream team points  
Mitchell Lewis 4 kicks 4 handballs 8 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 32 dream team points  
Nick Lowden 2 kicks 5 handballs 7 disposals 2 marks 3 tackles 31 dream team points  
Corey Maynard 5 kicks 16 handballs 21 disposals 3 marks 3 tackles 65 dream team points  
James Munro 18 kicks 11 handballs 29 disposals 1 mark 18 tackles 149 dream team points  
Braydon Preuss 2 goals 1 behinds 15 kicks 1 handballs 16 disposals 6 marks 3 tackles 34 hit outs 111 dream team points  
Aidan Quigley 5 kicks 2 handballs 7 disposals 2 tackles 28 dream team points  
Tom Sparrow 11 kicks 4 handballs 15 disposals 3 marks 10 tackles 82 dream team points  
Will Stephenson 1 goal 1 behind 8 kicks 3 handballs 11 disposals 1 mark 3 tackles 49 dream team points  
Cory Stockdale 7 kicks 5 handballs 12 disposals 1 marks 3 tackles 47 dream team points  
Corey Wagner 1 behind 13 kicks 10 handballs 23 disposals 2 marks 9 tackles 96 dream team points  
Liam Wale-Buxton 8 kicks 3 handballs 11 disposals 3 tackles 26 hit outs 66 dream team points  
Mitchell White 1 behind 11 kicks 11 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 46 dream team points