CRUSHED by KC from Casey

[Demonland 54,565]

The Casey Demons were dealt a crushing blow to their hopes of repeating last year’s premiership glory when they capitulated to the Werribee Tigers in the final term of what was for the first three quarters a riveting game of football.

The Demons struck early with the opening two goals of the match but the Tigers fought back to level the scores by mid-term. From there on until the middle of the last quarter, there was never more than two goals separating the teams although the home side looked to be in charge after a Casey burst in the middle of the third term.

The Demons had no less than 14 AFL listed players on board together with a few of their VFL listed players who are midseason draft hopefuls and were expected to win a closely contested game.

By comparison, the Tigers lineup was comprised of more of hard bodied players capable of playing tough, relentless football and in this instance, they prevailed with their hard tackling and strong marking that lifted the pressure gauge when the game was there to be won. 

Casey’s captain Mitch White was one Demon who was not overawed by the occasion. He finished with 24 disposals and a goal. Similarly, Adam Tomlinson worked his butt off in defence amassing 29 touches and 8 marks. Preseason draft nominees Roan Steele (22 disposals) and George Grey (16) were also prominent for Casey. Jack Bell had a good game in the ruck.

Josh Schache and Ben Brown were busy up forward but when the chips were down in that final term they were unable to turn the Werribee tide that saw most of the scoring go the way of the victorious home team which snared the Demons’ place in the top four and have a game in hand in the battle for that all-important placing.

Some of the team’s younger members are struggling to fire up, particularly in the midfield mix and the club will continue to be patient in monitoring their development. 

The Demons have another tough assignment next week as they travel to the Gold Coast to play last year’s vanquished grand finalists, Southport.

CASEY DEMONS 3.2.20 7.3.45 12.4.76 12.6.78

WERRIBEE 2.2.14 8.3.51 13.4.82 16.10.106

GOALS

CASEY DEMONS Melksham Schache Smith 2 Brown Grey Jefferson McRae Moniz-Wakefield White 

WERRIBEE Garoni 3 Hayes Lever Paea 2 Boyd Brew Declase Grey Gribble Keast Malual 

BEST

CASEY DEMONS Tomlinson Schache Brown White Steele Bell

WERRIBEE Gribble Brew J Henderson Mannagh Declase Clohesy

Statistics 

Jed Adams 7 kicks 1 handballs 8 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 40 dream team points
Riley Baldi 6 kicks 11 handballs 17 disposals 2 marks 4 tackles 53 dream team points
Jack Bell 5 kicks 4 handballs 9 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 27 hit outs 63 dream team points
Ben Brown 1 goal 16 kicks 3 handballs 19 disposals 7 marks 1 tackle 5 hit outs 93 dream team points
Matt Buntine 7 kicks 3 handballs 10 disposals 4 marks 5 rebounds tackles 60 dream team points 
Max Gregory 2 kicks 2 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 17 dream team points
George Grey 1 goal 1 behind 10 kicks 6 handballs 16 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 59 dream team points
Blake Howes 9 kicks 8 handballs 17 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 59 dream team points
Matt Jefferson 1 goal 2 kicks 2 handballs 4 disposals 16 dream team points
Bailey Laurie 6 kicks 7 handballs 15 disposals 2 marks 4 tackles 51 dream team points
Tom McRae 1 goal 4 kicks 4 handballs 8 disposals 1 mark 9 tackles 1 hit out 60 dream team points
Jake Melksham 2 goals 8 kicks 4 handballs 12 disposals 4 marks 46 dream team points
Andy Moniz-Wakefield 1 goal 1 behind 3 kicks 7 handballs 10 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 38 dream team points 
Charlie Peters 1 kick 1 disposal 2 tackles 11 dream team points [injured]
Josh Schache 2 goals 1 behind 12 kicks 6 handballs 17 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 8 hit outs 91 dream team points 
Oliver Sestan 4 kicks 5 handballs 9 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 31 dream team points
Deaykin Smith 3 kicks 2 handballs 5 disposals 2 marks 3 tackles 22 dream team points
Joel Smith 2 goals 4 kicks 2 handballs 6 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 47 dream team points
Roan Steele 12 kicks 10 handballs 22 disposals 4 marks 1 tackle 70 dream team points
Adam Tomlinson 25 kicks 4 handballs 29 disposals 8 marks 104 dream team points
Daniel Turner 10 kicks 3 handballs 13 disposals 5 marks 1 tackle 55 dream team points
Mitch White 1 goal 20 kicks 4 handballs 24 disposals 3 marks 4 tackles 100 dream team points
Taj Woewodin 11 kicks 7 handballs 18 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 53 dream team points