SPRINGTIME FOR CASEY by KC from Casey 

The Casey Demons returned to the winner’s  list in the most emphatic way possible with a 47-point victory over the Sydney Swans Reserves at Casey Fields on Saturday afternoon The win under sunny skies heralded the first signs of the springtime and happy days to come and earned the Demons a week’s rest and a home Preliminary Final in a fortnight’s time.

The home club was in control from the very beginning and, with all eyes on the return of AFL premiership key forward Tom McDonald after missing the most of the second half of the season with a foot injury, the crowd didn’t have long to wait to see him in the thick of the action as he opened the scoring with a behind. In doing so, he set the tone for the first half of the game with the Demons dominating but letting themselves down with poor kicking for goal. 

And while many in the crowd were interested to see how some of the younger brigade would fare under finals pressure it was the veterans who led the way. The opening goal was kicked by James Munro who was free kicked from outside fifty and slotted a long goal. He was followed by Mitch Brown who took a strong contested mark and kicked truly. Sydney responded with their first but Casey held sway for the remainder of the term without causing much damage on the scoreboard. The points mounted until McDonald’s late goal put them 15 points up at the first break.

The pattern of point scoring continued into the second term and a dour struggle ensued. Each team managed a single goal with Brown booting his second at the end of a pass from McDonald. Casey went into the sheds at half time 17 points ahead but feeling a trifle uneasy having kicked away many opportunities to establish a much greater lead.

That feeling was compounded early in the third term as the Swans made early inroads through the dangerous Ronke and suddenly the deficit was down to only 10 points before Demon midfielder, Luke Dunstan, already on fire in the first half with 16 touches, decided it was time to turn up the heat a few more degrees.

Dunstan’s goal out of a pack was a team-lifter and he led the way for the team with eight possessions for the term and another goal while Brown also added a couple as they collectively added seven unanswered goals to three quarter time. One of those goals came after a hanger taken by wonder boy Jacob Van Rooyen who was playing a great game and underlining his enormous potential for the future. 

When the dust settled, the Demons were up by 52 points and the final term was a mere formality. Brown capped off an excellent game with five goals, Dunstan ended up amassing 38 disposals with skipper Mitch White (25 touches) and Munro rounding off the team’s dominance. The win was a triumph for coach Mark Corrigan after the disappointment of the loss the team “had to have” in the final round against the Brisbane Lions.

Special mention needs to be made of Sam Weideman in the ruck who did a sterling job against Sydney’s tall timber Sinclair and Ladhams who towered over him and won the hit out count but lowered their colours in terms of effectiveness around the ball with 22 disposals and 6 marks to go with his 19 hit outs. 

Kudos also go to Casey’s defence led by Adam Tomlinson and Matt Buntine. Of the younger brigade apart from Van Rooyen, Taj Woewodin was impressive with his 17 disposals after taking an unnecessary big hit from Ladhams. Blake Howes and Fraser Rosman who have both missed time with injuries made impressive contributions after starting the game slowly. 

All in all, the Casey Demons have earned a deserved break and now lie in wait to discover which opponent they will be taking on when springtime comes.

CASEY DEMONS 3.5.23 4.9.33 11.12.78 14.15.99

SYDNEY SWANS RESERVES 1.2.8 2.4.16 3.8.26 7.10.52

Goals 

Casey Demons Brown 5 Chandler Dunstan Munro 2 Grey McDonald Van Rooyen

Sydney Swans Reserves Ronke 4 Collis Morrison Sheldrick 

Best 

Casey Demons Dunstan Brown White Weideman Buntine Munro Van Rooyen Tomlinson

Sydney Swans Reserves Sheldrick Sinclair Cunningham Ronke Roberts Bell 

Statistics

Oskar Baker 11 kicks 2 handballs 13 disposals 1 mark 1 tackle 45 dream team points
Toby Bedford 1 behind 8 kicks 9 handballs 17 disposals 1 mark 8 tackles 79 dream team points
Mitch Brown 5 goals 1 behind 13 kicks 5 handballs 18 disposals 6 marks 99 dream team points
Matt Buntine 10 kicks 7 handballs 17 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 68 dream team points
Kade Chandler 2 goals 7 kicks 6 handballs 13 disposals 3 marks 4 tackles 68 dream team points
Luke Dunstan 2 goals 1 behind 26 kicks 12 handballs 38 disposals 8 marks 4 tackles 151 dream team points
Corey Ellison 7 kicks 4 handballs 11 disposals 3 marks 1 tackle 40 dream team points
George Grey 1 goal 8 kicks 6 handballs 14 disposals 1 mark 7 tackles 73 dream team points
Blake Howes 4 kicks 10 handballs 14 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 47 dream team points
Bailey Laurie 3 kicks 2 handballs 5 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 22 dream team points
Tom McDonald 1 goal 1 behind 5 kicks 6 handballs 11 disposals 2 marks 4 hit outs 44 dream team points
James Munro 2 goals 8 kicks 7 handballs 15 disposals 2 marks 4 tackles 73 dream team points
Aiden Quigley 1 behind 5 kicks 4 handballs 9 disposals 3 marks 4 tackles 50 dream team points
Fraser Rosman 10 kicks 3 handballs 13 disposals 6 marks 2 tackles 63 dream team points
Deakyn Smith 5 kicks 9 handballs 14 disposals 3 marks 39 dream team points
Joel Smith 1 behind 5 kicks 5 handballs 10 disposals 5 marks 2 tackles 43 dream team points
Adam Tomlinson 20 kicks 2 handballs 22 disposals 7 marks 3 tackles 98 dream team points
Daniel Turner 4 kicks 1 handball 5 disposals 1 mark 1 tackles 22 dream team points
Ryan Valentine 1 kick 1 handballs 2 disposals 2 tackles 2 hit outs 15 dream team points
Jacob Van Rooyen 1 goal 2 behinds 6 kicks 11 handballs 17 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 4 hit outs 69 dream team points
Sam Weideman 2 behinds 9 kicks 13 handballs 22 disposals 6 marks 1 tackle 19 hit outs 98 dream team points
Mitch White 1 behind 19 kicks 6 handballs 25 disposals 3 marks 6 tackles 106 dream team points
Taj Woewodin 2 behinds 8 kicks 9 handballs 17 disposals 2 marks 3 tackles 63 dream team points

  On 27/08/2022 at 10:33, Jumping Jack Clennett said:

Luke Dunstan is a good class AFL standard player.

How long can he tolerate playing at the lower standard?

I can’t see him breaking into the firsts, unless we have several injuries.I
GWS  or Suns should try to attract him and swap us one of their high  draft picks.

 

We drafted him for 3 years …to paraphrase Goody…to turn him into a MFC player…his expectations wouldn’t have been to play many AFL games…another preseason & we will see if he’s up to it. He won’t be  jumping ship because this is what he wants 

I was impressed by Casey’s game plan, and in particular their ‘team’ defence, which to my eye, is clearly modelled on the way our AFL team seeks to play. Transition of players into the senior team should be relatively seamless in terms of their understanding of what needs to be done in the heat of battle, and when.

Did Laurie make it through the game? Just 5 possessions as a midfielder is disappointing. 

  On 28/08/2022 at 04:32, Fat Tony said:

Did Laurie make it through the game? Just 5 possessions as a midfielder is disappointing. 

Not playing in the midfield - White, Munro, Dunstan.

  On 27/08/2022 at 05:29, Diamond_Jim said:

Strange team Casey

50 point win but once again no one really starring in a pushing for selection sense

 

 

  On 28/08/2022 at 02:05, Deeoldfart said:

I was impressed by Casey’s game plan, and in particular their ‘team’ defence, which to my eye, is clearly modelled on the way our AFL team seeks to play. Transition of players into the senior team should be relatively seamless in terms of their understanding of what needs to be done in the heat of battle, and when.

I was impressed by the way Casey ran all over Sydney in the second half. The first half was played at a blistering speed in quite warm conditions considering the weather we have had. There were a lot of really hot contests in that first half. It was quite obvious that Casey were fitter and stronger, and you would assume that most of the Casey players train under the AFL team work loads. Maybe gives a bit of weight to the loading philosophy? And I want to make mention of Adam Tomlinson, he is clearly a general out there. His verbal instructions to team mates was relentless.

  On 27/08/2022 at 06:38, jnrmac said:

Good summary. Didn't see the 1st half but was v impressed with Rosman in the 2nd half. Rooey looks a ripper

 

And Ladhams should be suspended for his hit on Woewodin. Woey was over the boundary line, had disposed of the ball and the hit was high with impact. Dirtbag

 

Big dirtbag behavior 

  On 29/08/2022 at 05:06, roy11 said:

 

Big dirtbag behavior 

At least one competetion takes these sorts of act seriously.  AFL please take note.

  On 28/08/2022 at 10:14, monoccular said:

 

Dunstan was a key driver although I know what you mean it is a real team effort with bits of brilliance.

  On 27/08/2022 at 09:21, Demon Dynasty said:

Second half of the 2nd quarter & third quarter were impressive.

Talk about jets.  He was really on in the above quarters today and IMHO came out of the blocks hunting, scrapping but also blitzing the opponent with & without the ball in these stages.  Still got a way to go to put full games (playing at that level) together but that will come with time and the extra pre-season or two.

Burst speed is incredible at VFL level and his closing pressure / tackling was off the charts.  So many Swans looked in the clear one minute, only having to rush kicks or getting rushed off their kick/handball a few seconds later.

Spargo plays a very different role but Toby is really knocking on the door at the moment.  Out of the smalls like Chandler, Laurie etc i'd be giving the nod to Toby at present.  All class and super fast at ground level, closing speed and escape factor.

I love Spargo but live at the game vs Brisbane he did look quite slow. Bedford looked lightning quick on the weekend. 

Sydney ruck Peter Ladhams could miss the Swans' entire finals campaign after he was offered a three-match ban for his bump in Saturday's VFL qualifying final.

This is for the hit on Bedford.

Edited August 29, 20222 yr by Mr Steve

  On 29/08/2022 at 05:41, Mr Steve said:

Sydney ruck Peter Ladhams could miss the Swans' entire finals campaign after he was offered a three-match ban for his bump in Saturday's VFL qualifying final.

This is for the hit on Bedford.

I think you'll find it was Woewodin..dog of an act. And for once a sensible suspension.

No one can complain about that. 

  On 29/08/2022 at 05:41, Mr Steve said:

Sydney ruck Peter Ladhams could miss the Swans' entire finals campaign after he was offered a three-match ban for his bump in Saturday's VFL qualifying final.

This is for the hit on Bedford.

Sorry - Late hit on Woewodin not Bedford.  

  On 29/08/2022 at 05:41, Mr Steve said:

Sydney ruck Peter Ladhams could miss the Swans' entire finals campaign after he was offered a three-match ban for his bump in Saturday's VFL qualifying final.

This is for the hit on Bedford.

Does the VFL have the same “who you are, who you know, who you play for” appeals system as the AFL?

  On 29/08/2022 at 07:20, jnrmac said:

I think you'll find it was Woewodin..dog of an act. And for once a sensible suspension.

No one can complain about that. 

He's lucky if you ask me. 

The ball was gone. He comes from metres away with heaps of time to change his mind. He lines him up well before reaching a defenceless player whose body is exposed. Woewodin's out of bounds FFS. He castles him, and he gets concussed to boot.

Stuff the guilty plea discount, that should be four weeks minimum.

A small matter I suppose but from the vision showed there was no remonstration with Ladhams from the rest of the team. Question is was there anyone getting in Ladham's face after that dog act? Again only on vision shown I couldn't understand why Weed didn't body Ladhams. 

  On 29/08/2022 at 12:04, DEE fence said:

A small matter I suppose but from the vision showed there was no remonstration with Ladhams from the rest of the team. Question is was there anyone getting in Ladham's face after that dog act? Again only on vision shown I couldn't understand why Weed didn't body Ladhams. 

Not exactly sure that's in Weid's DNA...

woey ended up getting concussion as a result of the hit; would expect that factored into the suspension

still, that's a hefty one

  On 29/08/2022 at 12:04, DEE fence said:

A small matter I suppose but from the vision showed there was no remonstration with Ladhams from the rest of the team. Question is was there anyone getting in Ladham's face after that dog act? Again only on vision shown I couldn't understand why Weed didn't body Ladhams. 

There was about 5 players remonstrating him shortly after on a different camera angle, nothing over the top but Bedford, Rosman getting into him with a couple of Casey boys. Munro showing the most aggression.

I think Weideman missed the incident as he was bending over to pick up the ball, was one of the first to get over to Woewodin to check on him and pick him up.

Ladhams got 3 weeks according to tonights news.

  On 29/08/2022 at 05:26, MoeSyzlak said:

I love Spargo but live at the game vs Brisbane he did look quite slow. Bedford looked lightning quick on the weekend. 

He has plenty of credits Moe.  Very accurate at hitting targets i50 of course.  Just needs to lift the other stuff a little for the finals and should be ok.  Tackling, especially inside 50.  Kick the odd goal.  Goal assists.  One percenters.  Oh and a few contested ball gets would also be handy.  The odd clearance.

Toby unlucky to miss out in some ways and might not be with us next season by the sounds of it.

  On 29/08/2022 at 12:04, DEE fence said:

A small matter I suppose but from the vision showed there was no remonstration with Ladhams from the rest of the team. Question is was there anyone getting in Ladham's face after that dog act? Again only on vision shown I couldn't understand why Weed didn't body Ladhams. 

What can you do in the finals? You can't afford to get suspended. If that happened in the GF I imagine Ladham would have gone off on a stretcher