CALM BEFORE THE CALM by KC from Casey

The Casey Demons overcame a sluggish first half to run over the Sydney Swans in the second to record an emphatic 40 point victory, maintaining their undefeated record and retaining top spot on the VFL ladder.

The game originally listed as part of the Round 4 fixture but delayed due to a Covid19 scare in Sydney and the scrappy way in which the teams approached the contest suggested that the players were still in delay mode. This applied in particular to most of the 12 AFL listed Casey players, a few of who barely got out of first gear all day. Full forward Ben Brown who had everything to play for in light of Melbourne’s key forward issues a day earlier, was hardly sighted while Mitch Brown was much more lively but inaccurate in front of goal with two goals five behinds.

The latter booted the only goal for either side in a haphazard opening term played in bright sunshine and without the usual Casey Fields breezes but the Swans took control with two goals to hold sway for most of the second quarter. A succession of goals from Munro, White and Bedford restored order for the Demons before the visitors snatched the lead with two late goals to round off the half with a single point lead.

Sydney opened the second half full of running and extended its lead to 8 points over the first ten minutes. The Demons appeared listless but it was really a case of the calm before the calm. Without any warning of what was to come, they simply and casually took over the initiative and controlled proceedings from then on with eight unanswered goals until a last minute major from the Swans in the game’s dying seconds.

Casey stalwart Jimmy Munro was at his best with three goals and a series of pressure acts including his characteristic hard tackling. He received strong support from Jay Lockhart who might find himself back in the Melbourne selectors’ good books after a longish drought. Tom Sparrow continued his good vein of form at this level and could also be in line for a promotion while Oskar Baker showed poise and speed in putting forward his own credentials.

Majak Daw put in a lion hearted effort in the ruck, Toby Bedford zipped in and out of the game and Nathan Jones was his usual rock solid self mentoring the team’s youngsters. Jake Bowey came back from his ankle scare of last week and impressed with some good ball use.

Former skipper Jack Hutchins played his 100th game but is now in the twilight of his career while Mitch White was strong at the work face and contributed a couple of handy goals.

Casey will replicate next weekend’s AFL top of the table clash when it takes on Footscray at the Whitten Oval next Sunday.

2021 VFL Mens

Casey Demons 1.3.9 4.5.29 8.8.56 12.13.85

Sydney Swans 0.4.4 4.6.30 5.8.38 6.9.45 

Goals

Casey Demons Munro 3 Bedford M Brown White 2 Baker Chandler Jones

Sydney Swans McDonald 3 Gray Maguire Morrison

Best

Casey Demons Munro Baker Lockhart Sparrow Bedford M Brown

Sydney Swans Gould McDonald Bell O’Riordan Gray Brand

Statistics

Oskar Baker 1 goal 22 kicks 4 handballs 25 disposals 13 marks 3 tackles 131 dream team points

Toby Bedford 2 goals 1 behinds 9  kicks 6 handballs 15 disposals 3 marks 1 tackle 59 dream team points

Jack Bell 4 kicks 3 handballs 7 disposals 7 marks 2 tackles 8 hit outs 37 dream team points

Jake Bowey 13 kicks 8 handballs 21 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 79 dream team points

Aaron Bradtke 2 kicks 5 handballs 7 disposals 2 marks 22 dream team points

Ben Brown 2 kicks 2 handballs 4 disposals 2 tackles 20 dream team points

Mitch Brown 2 goals 5 behinds 9 kicks 3 handballs 12 disposals 7 marks 68 dream team points

Kade Chandler 1 goal 7 kicks 5 handballs 12 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 51 dream team points

Majak Daw 9 kicks 6 handballs 15 disposals 7 marks 2 tackles 18 hit outs 88 dream team points

Corey Ellison 6 kicks 2 handballs 8 disposals 3 marks 1 tackles 35 dream team points

Zac Foot 1 behind 10 kicks 4 handballs 14 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 65 dream team points

Tom Freeman 9 kicks 3 handballs 12 disposals 4 marks 2 tackles 55 dream team points

George Grey 2 behinds 9 kicks 7 handballs 16 disposals 7 marks 2 tackles 69 dream team points

Jack Hutchins 3 kicks 1 handballs 4 disposals 1 marks 15 dream team points

Nathan Jones 1 goal 11 kicks 6 handballs 17 disposals 6 marks 2 tackles 74 dream team points

Jay Lockhart 20 kicks 6 handballs 26 disposals 8 marks 1 tackle 102 dream team points

James Munro 3 goals 13 kicks 10 handballs 23 disposals 4 marks 7 tackles 116  dream team points

Fraser Rosman 1 behind 10 kicks 4 handballs 14 disposals 4 marks 52 dream team points

Ryan Sparkes 6 kicks 7 handballs 13 disposals 3 marks 1 tackle 46 dream team points

Tom Sparrow 1 behind 12 kicks 10 handballs 22 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 70 dream team points

Corey Stockdale 6 kicks 4 handballs 10 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 40 dream team points

Mitch White 2 goals 7 kicks 6 handballs 13 disposals 5 marks 1 tackle 62 dream team points