PERFECT by KC from Casey

The conditions were perfect as the reigning VFL premiers played host to the Sydney Swans under sunny skies at Casey Fields and the Demons continued their perfect start to the season with a comprehensive 41-point victory on Sunday. 

On a day when the winds eluded the vicinity of the ground, Casey were quick out of the blocks with the opening two goals of the game but Sydney fought back and were more than competitive for most of the opening term. They kicked three quick goals to take a seven point lead as time on ticked by before a couple of late goals gave the home team a six point lead at the break.

From then on however, it was a dominant Casey which took complete control of proceedings. They were untroubled as they squeezed the life out of the visitors who were allowed just two late goals in junk time after a barren hour of goalless toil. 

It was a satisfying victory for new Casey coach Taylor Whitford because his team this week was a far cry from the experienced combination that his predecessor took the club to a premiership in 2022. With veteran skipper Mitch White still out with injury and the number of AFL listed players available down to eleven, expectations before the start were tempered. Only four of the Melbourne aligned players had any AFL experience. One of the four, Bailey Laurie, has only one AFL game under his belt and he was out of this game in the second half. 

The pleasing side of the equation was the outstanding efforts of the team’s youth. Newly recruited forwards Matt Jefferson (4 goals) and Oliver Sestan (2) were impressive with their ability to score goals themselves as well as assist others while utility Blake Howes had his biggest afternoon yet, playing all over the ground amassing 33 disposals and taking 16 marks. Andy Moniz-Wakefield and Deakyn Smith continue to impress and rookie defender Kye Turner had some promising moments. 

The young brigade was not limited to the AFL youngsters. The likes of Max Gregory, Miles Shepherd and Tom Sheridan (two goals on debut) contributed to the overall effort.

Casey was well served by its experienced players. Adam Tomlinson (33 disposals 13 marks) was rock solid in defence while Tom McDonald (20 touches, 11 marks and 2 goals) did his chances of a quick return to the AFL no harm and Luke Dunstan was also prolific in the middle. He was capably assisted by evergreen Jimmy Munro who was his hard tackling mean self. George Grey was busy all day and Matt Buntine was solid in defence.

The Demons remain undefeated at this early stage of the season and play host to Frankston in the local derby next Sunday afternoon. Here’s hoping for another perfect afternoon.

CASEY DEMONS 4.2.26 8.3.51 10.5.65 13.10.88

SYDNEY SWANS 3.2.20 4.6.30 4.9.33 6.11.47

GOALS 

CASEY DEMONS Jefferson 4 McDonald Sestan Sheridan 2 Grey Laurie Munro 

SYDNEY SWANS Haley 3 Francis McLean Magor 

BEST

CASEY DEMONS Tomlinson Howes Munro McDonald Grey Dunstan 

SYDNEY SWANS Collis Sheldrick Shipley Warner Rankin Bartholemaues

Statistics 

Jed Adams 6 kicks 2 handballs 8 disposals 1 tackle 23 dream team points
Ryan Baldi kicks handballs disposals marks tackles dream team points
Jack Bell 5 kicks 3 handballs 8 disposals 4 marks 2 tackles 22 hit outs 64 dream team points
Matt Buntine 1 behind 11 kicks 5 handballs 16 disposals 7 marks 4 tackles 84 dream team points
Paddy Cross 3 kicks 3 handballs 6 disposals 3 marks 25 dream team points
Luke Dunstan 16 kicks 14 handballs 30 disposals 5 marks 85 dream team points
Max Gregory 6 kicks 5 handballs 11 disposals 5 marks 43 dream team points
George Grey 1 goal 1 behind 14 kicks 7 handballs 21 disposals 3 marks 4 tackles 90 dream team points
Blake Howes 17 kicks 16 handballs 33 disposals 16 marks 1 tackle 135 dream team points
Matt Jefferson 4 goals 7 kicks 3 handballs 10 disposals 5 marks 1 tackle 68 dream team points
Bailey Laurie 1 goals 4 kicks 4 handballs 8 disposals 1 mark 3 tackles 39 dream team points
Tom McDonald 2 goals 2 behinds 12 kicks 8 handballs 20 disposals 11 marks 1 hit out 94 dream team points
Tom McRae 8 kicks 5 handballs 13 disposals 2 marks 1 tackle 39 dream team points
Andy Moniz-Wakefield 1 behind 8 kicks 8 handballs 16 disposals 5 marks 3 tackles 69 dream team points
James Munro 1 goal 1 behind 12 kicks 14 handballs 26 disposals 5 marks 8 tackles 104 dream team points
Oliver Sestan 2 goals 7 kicks 1 handball  8 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 46 dream team points
Miles Shepherd 12 kicks 5 handballs 17 disposals 8 marks 1 tackle 74 dream team points
Tom Sheridan 2 goals 5 kicks 1 handball 6 disposals 4 marks 1 tackle 45 dream team points
Deaykin Smith 11 kicks 6 handballs 17 disposals 8 marks 1 tackle 70 dream team points
Roan Steele 11 kicks 2 handballs 13 disposals 5 marks 2 tackles 60 dream team points
Adam Tomlinson 27 kicks 6 handballs 33 disposals 13 marks 3 tackles 142 dream team points
Kye Turner 10 kicks 2 handballs 12 disposals 4 marks 1 tackle 50 dream team points
Ryan Valentine 2 kicks 3 handballs 5 disposals 1 marks 7 hit outs 18 dream team points