TURNAROUND by KC from Casey

 It is truly amazing what a difference eight days can make in the life and times of a football club. It was a little over a week ago that the Casey Demons side were literally crushed into submission by the Werribee Tigers at Avalon Airport Oval. The losing margin in that game was not huge but the way they struggled to produce and cohesion in their play was obvious for all to see. 

On Sunday at Casey Fields as part of heritage week, the team wore the Springvale FC jumper and made its own turnaround in time against Collingwood VFL. And it was a dramatic turnaround that was told on the scoreboard in terms of a 63 point win that might well reignite the club’s season. 

The difference can be explained mainly in terms of the number of AFL-listed players available to Casey Demons head coach Jade Rawlings and to the infusion of a wealth of experience at the highest level which they brought with them in the game. This automatically added to the confidence level of every player and they were all able to take risks and produce efforts that have simply been out of the question over the past couple of months.

The return of Jordan Lewis from a suspension brought with it a significant amount of on field leadership and flair. Lewis himself spent a great deal of time in the midfield where he picked up 30 possessions, took eight marks and controlled the game’s proceedings.

The team’s intent was on display from the beginning as it attacked constantly in difficult conditions and against a cross wind that slightly benefited the visiting team. Six minutes into the game, Casey had three goals on the board and led 20-0. The Pies fought back but the home side maintained control with a three goal burst in the middle of the second term seeing them off to a handy 34 point half time lead. Throughout the day, the defence led by Harry Petty was superb as it strangled the life out of the Collingwood attack. 

Having forced the opposition into submission, the Casey Demons turned the second half into a cakewalk as they coasted away to a comprehensive 15.12.102 to 6.3.39 in which the incoming talent flourished.

Apart from Lewis, Kade Kolondjashnij was a standout showing glimpses of his early form at the Suns and collecting 28 touches. Jay Lockhart (24 possessions) underlined how much he has improved with a few AFL games under his belt, as did Corey Wagner who was brilliant in accumulating 27 touches. 

The Demons would also be pleased with mid season draft pick Kyle Dunkley who booted three goals, accumulated 21 disposals and showed enough to suggest that he might be heading for AFL honours at some stage as the season progresses.

Dunkley’s three goals were matched by skipper Mitch White who was strong in the air (10 marks) and around the ground. Jimmy Munro and Will Collis were also strong contributors for the Demons.

The Casey Demons cause was enhanced by the strength of Braydon Preuss in the ruck and around the ground. He was capably backed up by Declan Keilty while lightly built ruck rookie Austin Bradtke also showed promise in his maiden VFL appearance after spending some time in the NAB Under 18 League.

The team has a bye next week and then faces up to the difficult task of pushing a claim from a long way back for finals honours.

2019 Hard Yakka / Totally Workwear VFL  

Casey Demons 4.5.29 7.11.53 9.11.65 15.12.102

Collingwood VFL 2.0.12 3.1.19 5.2.32 6.3.39

Goals  

Casey Demons Dunkley White 3 Chandler Lefau C Wagner 2 Lockhart Neal-Bullen Preuss

Collingwood VFL Reid 2 Cameron Gallucci Hellier Oxley

Best

Casey Demons Lockhart Petty C Wagner J Lewis Dunkley W Collis

Collingwood VFL Reid Scharenberg Hustwaite Glover Gallucci Lane

Statistics 

Toby Bedford 3 kicks 3 handballs 6 disposals 2 tackles 20 dream team points  
Austin Bradkte 4 kicks 5 handballs 9 disposals 3 marks 4 hit outs 35 dream team points  
Heath Briggs 4 kicks 4 handballs 8 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 35 dream team points  
Kade Chandler 2 goals 1 behind 8 kicks 6 handballs 14 disposals 6 marks 4 tackles 80 dream team points
Wayne Collis 9 kicks 4 handballs 13 disposals 4 marks 1 tackles 49 dream team points  
Kyle Dunkley 3 goals 17 kicks 4 handballs 21 disposals 4 marks 5 tackles 112 dream team points  
Tom Freeman 3 kicks 2 handballs 5 disposals 1 tackle 14 dream team points  
Jack Hutchins 11 kicks 5 handballs 16 disposals 6 marks 62 dream team points  
James Jordon 1 behind 12 kicks 3 handballs 15 disposals 3 marks 3 tackles 64 dream team points  
Declan Keilty 7 kicks 6 handballs 13 disposals 7 marks 6 tackles 14 hit outs 93 dream team points
Jay Kennedy Harris 1 behind 19 kicks 6 handballs 25 disposals 11 marks 3 tackles 115 dream team points  
Kade Kolodjashnij 2 behinds 17 kicks 11 handballs 28 disposals 6 marks 4 tackles 109 dream team points
Mykelti Lefau 1 goal 1 behind 6 kicks 1 handballs 7 disposals 5 marks 4 tackles 58 dream team points  
Jordan Lewis 11 kicks 19 handballs 30 disposals 8 marks 3 tackles 106 dream team points  
Jay Lockhart 1 goal 17 kicks 7 handballs 24 disposals 11 marks 7 tackles 127 dream team points  
James Munro 16 kicks 11 handballs 27 disposals 8 marks 2 tackles 99 dream team points  
Alex Neal-Bullen 1 goal 1 behind 8  kicks 7 handballs 15 disposals 2 marks 8 tackles 72 dream team points  
Harry Petty 10 kicks 8 handballs 18 disposals 6 marks 4 tackles 77 dream team points  
Braydon Preuss 1 goal 3 behinds 13 kicks 6 handballs 19 disposals 6 marks 6 tackles 40 hit outs 140 dream team points 
Cory Stockdale 9 kicks 4 handballs 13 disposals 2 marks 41 dream team points  
Anthony Vella 9 kicks 2 handballs 11 disposals 4 marks 1 tackle 45 dream team points  
Corey Wagner 2 goals 1 behind 20 kicks 7 handballs 27 disposals 5 marks 8 tackles 137 dream team points  
Mitchell White 3 goals 13 kicks 10 handballs 23 disposals 10 marks 1 tackle 108 dream team points