DAY OF THE GIANTS by KC from Casey

The Casey team that ventured deep into the northern suburbs to Piranha Park on Saturday  to take on lowly Coburg who have yet to record a VFL win in 2023, was different to the one we normally see but the result was still as expected. The Demons were never troubled in compiling their comprehensive 42 point victory over the hapless Lions. 

Casey fielded a dozen Melbourne-listed players but there were a number of points of difference to the norm. This team included three giant ruckmen in All-Australian Brodie Grundy and rookies Will Verrall and Kyah Ferris-White while the team’s regular ruckman Jack Bell remains out injured. A number of other regulars were also out for one reason or another as the Demons shuffle some of their players between their two teams. 

If anything, the team might have been a little top heavy but irrespective, Casey was  on top from the get go and won every quarter. They held the Burgers goalless in the opening term but for all their dominance, they managed only three goals from nine scoring opportunities in blustery conditions. The accuracy improved in the second term to see them out to a lead of 35 points at half time and they coasted through the remainder of the game which never reached great heights as a spectacle.

Grundy’s well-documented move to the VFL to work on his forward craft could hardly be termed an unqualified success in his first official hitout but he had his moments finishing with one goal three behinds, 12 disposals, four marks, four tackles and 12 hit outs, mostly while stationed on the forward line. His goal came just before half time when he plucked the ball out of a ruck duel and he could easily have scored more given that he missed a few gettable shots at goal. 

Grundy’s presence up forward was also important for Casey’s attacking set up. The forwards all pitched in with Matt Jefferson, Josh Schache, Charlie Spargo chipping in with two goals each. Jefferson is developing nicely at this level although he’s probably twelve months away from an AFL berth. His marking is strong and he presents well in front of goal at ground level. Andy Moniz-Wakefield was lively and always looked dangerous. 

The standout player on the ground was Luke Dunstan who amassed more than forty disposals in a game for the second time this year. Along with James Harmes who was also prolific collecting 33 possessions, they controlled the midfield winning the clearances at stoppages and also gaining plenty of touches in general play. 

The Demons had the benefit of an outstanding defensive display from Michael Hibberd who is returning from injury. He amassed 30 touches and took nine marks in a role as the general of the Casey backline in a performance that should see his early return to AFL ranks. Hibberd worked well with young rookie Deakyn Smith who benefited from playing with someone of his experience and he played with great composure in a 21 disposal display, probably his best at the club. 

Jimmy Munro was as always, a tough customer and Casey listed youngsters Tyler Edwards, George Grey and Roan Steele were solid contributors. 

Grundy wasn’t the only All-Australian on the ground. Exciting draft hopeful, Gippsland Power’s Zane Duursma, gained that recognition coming out of the recent national under 18 carnival after a brilliance performance for Vic Country against Vic Metro last week and he showed why in a fine cameo performance in his second game for Casey. He is expected to be a top-10 pick in the upcoming AFL draft. (Matt Jefferson also gained All-Australian honours at last year’s carnival).

The Demons have three more games to play before the finals and sit in fifth place. Unfortunately, the situation near the top of the VFL competition is so tight that a win in each of them might not guarantee a berth in the all-important top four for the finals. Next week they take on fellow finals contenders Williamstown at Casey Fields.

CASEY DEMONS 3.6.24 8.9.57 11.13.79 13.17.95

COBURG 0.2.2 3.4.22 6.7.43 7.11.53

GOALS 

CASEY DEMONS Jefferson Schache Spargo 2 Dunstan Edwards Grey Grundy Moniz-Wakefield Munro  Sestan

COBURG Clarke 2 Mason Podhajski Simpson Sturgess Weightman

BEST 

CASEY DEMONS Dunstan Harmes Hibberd Moniz-Wakefield Edwards D Smith

COBURG Jepson Mason Nelson Podhajski Clarke Gentile

Statistics 

Jed Adams 3 kicks 3 handballs 6 disposals 3 marks 24 dream team points
Luke Dunstan 1 goal 1 behind 17 kicks 24 handballs 41 disposals 8 marks 5 tackles 141 dream team points
Zane Duursma 1 behind 6 kicks 4 handballs 10 disposals 3 marks 1 tackle 42 dream team points
Tyler Edwards 1 goal 17 kicks 4 handballs 21 disposals 8 marks 1 tackle 94 dream team points
Kyah Farris-White 3 handballs 3 disposals 1 mark 1 tackle 6 hit outs 19 dream team points
Tom Freeman 6 kicks 3 handballs 9 disposals 4 marks 1 tackle 40 dream team points
George Grey 1 goal 5 kicks 6 handballs 11 disposals 4 marks 1 tackles 46 dream team points
Brodie Grundy 1 goal 3 behinds 7 kicks 5 handballs 12 disposals 4 marks 4 tackles 12 hit outs 72 dream team points
James Harmes 14 kicks 19 handballs 33 disposals 4 marks 4 tackles 105 dream team points
Michael Hibberd 20 kicks 10 handballs 30 disposals 9 marks 1 tackles 103 dream team points
Matt Jefferson 2 goals 3 behinds 8 kicks 1 handball 9 disposals 5 marks 1 tackle 61 dream team points
Andy Moniz-Wakefield 1 goal 1 behind 10 kicks 10 handballs 20 disposals 7 marks 6 tackles 99 dream team points 
Ned Moodie 7 kicks 3 handballs 10 disposals 4 marks 1 tackles 43 dream team points
James Munro 1 goal 11 kicks 11 handballs 22 disposals 6 marks 2 tackles 84 dream team points
Harvey Neocleous 5 kicks 2 handballs 7 disposals 4 marks 1 tackle 35 dream team points 
Josh Schache 2 goals 2 behinds 8 kicks 2 handballs 10 disposals 8 marks 3 tackles 2 hit outs 81 dream team points 
Oliver Sestan 1 goal 4 kicks 4 handballs 8 disposals 3 marks 35 dream team points
Deaykin Smith 13 kicks 8 handballs 21 disposals 6 marks 3 tackles 86 dream team points
Charlie Spargo 2 goals 13 kicks 6 handballs 19 disposals 5 marks 1 tackle 78 dream team points
Roan Steele 11 kicks 6 handballs 17 disposals 7 marks 1 tackle 68 dream team points
Ryan Valentine 3 kicks 2 handballs 5 disposals 2 marks 16 dream team points
Will Verrall 6 kicks 6 handballs 12 disposals 2 tackles 13 hit outs 50 dream team points
Mitch White 9 kicks 8 handballs 17 disposals 1 marks 5 tackles 67 dream team points