THE CASEY SHOW by KC from Casey

The Casey Demons will play in the VFL Grand Final at Ikon Park next Sunday after overturning their final round loss to the Brisbane Lions Reserves and dominating the Preliminary Final to emerge victorious by 51 points. 

And while the distance in standards between the AFL and VFL at finals time is admittedly a wide one and the opposition and conditions different, there were a few Demons on display who excelled to the point where one was left to ask whether they could have made the difference had they taken part in proceedings the night before at the MCG. 

For instance, Casey controlled the aerial duels in this match with a superiority all over the ground of 81 marks to 36. The discrepancy was clear everywhere and it set the scene for a confidence-laden display that was in stark contrast to that of the Melbourne which busted the game apart in the first half and slowed to close to a standstill in the end. One cannot help but wonder how that forward line would have performed with the boundless enthusiasm of key forward Jacob Van Rooyen with his marking strength and the experience and the strength of Tom McDonald. Each of them contributed three goals from key forward positions.

The Demons made a slow start against the breeze at Casey Fields. They conceded the first goal and took a little over half of the opening stanza to record their first major when Andy Moniz-Wakefield took advantage of a great pass from Luke Dunstan. A couple more late in the term opened up a 13 point lead at the first break which they extended to 33 by half time.

Unlike their AFL counterparts, the Casey variety of Demonkind never relented. Indeed, they picked up a head of steam and, with winners all over the field they smashed the Lions in the premiership quarter to go into the final break with a comfortable lead and then coasted to record a comfortable victory in the end. It was a case of the best from Casey on show.

Casey had winners everywhere with their control of the key forward positions and an impenetrable defence led by Adam Tomlinson, Matt Buntine, Corey Ellison and Jake Bowey who was quite dynamic on the day and was another who showed the crowd what might have been if only the Melbourne selectors had shown some more risk and daring. 

The Demons dominated the midfield positions through veteran Jimmy Munro and Luke Dunstan with the run and pace of Toby Bedford and Kade Chandler always a factor in  overturning the Brisbane dominance of their Round 22 encounter.

Special mention should be made of Sam Weideman’s performances in the ruck. Despite his size, he has been growing (pardon the pun) nicely into the role and one wonders whether the Demons will try to develop him in the role going forward.

The Demons also have plenty to look forward to in the form of their Northern Territory Next Generation Recruit Andy Moniz-Wakefield who shows all of the trademarks of a potential X Factor player of the future. Another in that category is Blake Howes who has the height and pace to fill several roles with another pre season or two behind him. Both will benefit from the experience of a final series at this level. With Bailey Laurie, Taj Woewodin and Deakyn Smith all out this week, there is a depth of talent available for the club to reboot in future years.

However, there’s a premiership to be won in the meantime. Casey’s opponent will be decided later today when Southport and Gold Coast Reserves meet in the Second Preliminary Final.

CASEY DEMONS 3.3.21 7.6.48 12.7.79 15.9.99

BRISBANE LIONS 1.2.8 2.3.15 4.3.27 7.6.48

Goals 

Casey Demons McDonald Van Rooyen 3 Bedford Bowey Brown Chandler Grey Howes Moniz-Wakefield Valentine Weideman 

Brisbane Lions Lohmann 2 Coleman Cockatoo Mathieson Sharp Tunstill 

Best

Casey Demons Munro Bowey Tomlinson McDonald Van Rooyen Weideman

Brisbane Lions Robinson Smith Madden Cockatoo 

Statistics 

Oskar Baker 11 kicks 7 handballs 18 disposals 3 marks 4 tackles 72 dream team points
Toby Bedford 1 goal 1 behind 11 kicks 7 handballs 18 disposals 2 marks 9 tackles 95 dream team points
Jake Bowey 1 goal 14 kicks 9 handballs 23 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 83 dream team points
Mitch Brown 1 goal 13 kicks 9 handballs 22 disposals 9 marks 2 tackles 96 dream team points
Matt Buntine 10 kicks 3 handballs 13 disposals 5 marks 2 tackles 58 dream team points
Kade Chandler 1 goal 1 behind 13 kicks 12 handballs 25 disposals 6 marks 8 tackles 115 dream team points
Luke Dunstan 15 kicks 10 handballs 25 disposals 6 marks 10 tackles 120 dream team points
Corey Ellison 3 kicks 2 handballs 5 disposals 1 marks tackle 20 dream team points
George Grey 1 goal 1 behind 11 kicks 8 handballs 19 disposals 3 marks 1 tackle 66 dream team points 
Blake Howes 1 goal 2 kicks 7 handballs 9 disposals 3 marks 3 tackles 47 dream team points
Tom McDonald 3 goals 2 behinds 9 kicks 11 handballs 20 disposals 1 mark 4 hit outs 79 dream team points 
Judd McVee 4 kicks 6 handballs 10 disposals 4 marks 1 tackle 40 dream team points 
Andy Moniz-Wakefield 1 goal 2 behinds kicks handballs disposals marks tackles dream team points
James Munro 15 kicks 12 handballs 27 disposals 6 marks 8 tackles 112 dream team points 
Fraser Rosman 1 kick 1 disposal 3 dream team points [injured]
Joel Smith 5 kicks 3 handballs 8 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 38 dream team points
Roan Steele 5 kicks 4 handballs 9 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 34 dream team points
Adam Tomlinson 18 kicks 4 handballs 22 disposals 4 marks 5 tackles 93 dream team points
Daniel Turner 6 kicks 1 handball 7 disposals 4 marks 7 tackles 57 dream team points
Ryan Valentine 1 goal 4 kicks 4 handballs 8 disposals 1 mark 26 dream team points
Jacob Van Rooyen 3 goals 1 behind 8 kicks 6 handballs 14 disposals 6 marks 3 tackles 4 hit outs 86 dream team points
Sam Weideman 1 goal 1 behind 9 kicks 4 handballs 13 disposals 4 marks 7 tackles 37 hit outs 117 dream team points
Mitch White 11 kicks 6 handballs 17 disposals 1 mark 12 tackles 93 dream team points