CASEY: Rd 02 vs Footscray

[layzie 29,285]

Sounds like a tough start for Casey. Hopefully they can turn it around.

[Whispering_Jack 28,023]

FIELD OF DREAMS by KC from Casey

The sunny skies and still, clear conditions that greeted fans on their arrival created a dreamlike Easter carnival atmosphere for Casey’s game against Footscray at Casey Fields. After their dreams of a flying start to the new season were shattered a week earlier with a disappointing error-riddled opening, the home supporters were given much hope with an improved performance from their team. 

They were treated with a high standard game of VFL football played in perfect conditions. It was Footscray’s steadiness under pressure and a huge advantage in experience that saw them run out victorious by 14 points, but what the fans saw in the Casey performance was not only improvement but also, a plethora of encouraging signs for the future.

Both sides came well out of the blocks early and traded goals until Casey got on top with three quick goals to hold an 18 point lead in mid-term. The Casey rucks and midfielders opened strongly giving the forwards room to move and the goals came. In defence, Jed Adams was a key in his defensive role but when he went off injured, the strong marking Rory Lobb booted two goals and Bianco another to even the scores with the goals deep into time on.

After the break, Casey dominated the first half of the second quarter but apart from an easy initial goal to Schache, his third, the Demons simply could not hit targets. Moved back to full forward this week, Matt Jefferson had a purple patch taking some strong marks but his good work was undone with wayward kicking for goal. During this period, he hit the post twice while two other shots failed to score at all. 

As often happens, the Bulldogs made them pay  for their errant kicking at goal scoring four of the next five goals (with Jefferson finally hitting the target for the first time) to go into the sheds at half time with an 8 point lead. 

The Dogs’ greater accuracy in the third quarter when the Demons kicked only six behinds, saw them stretch the lead to 19 points and while Casey finally got their kicking boots on in the final term, Footscray always had the answers and held on to record a well-deserved 14 point victory. 

The visitors were loaded with experience at the highest level including two 150 plus AFL games players Rory Lobb (5 goals) and Melbourne premiership player James Harmes (with a game high 33 disposals), 100 gamer Alex Keath and a bevy of other names like Garcia, Jones, McNeil, O’Donnell, Scott and Spicer. 

By way of contrast, Casey’s only Melbourne listers with experience at AFL level were Josh Schache with 76 games across three clubs and Brisbane recruit Tom Fullarton with 19 games at the Lions. Both had good games with Schache important with four goals but in the heat of battle, the experience differential was significant, especially after Bailey Laurie and Adam Tomlinson were withdrawn from the side and flew to Adelaide to be with the Melbourne team. 

One of the main functions of this tier of football is to provide a good platform for an AFL club’s youth and another, to give local communities access to a high standard of sport. In this regard, the game showcased the potential at Casey for the fulfillment of many future dreams.

Despite Jefferson’s missed goalkicking opportunities (he finished with 2.3 but his accuracy in the past has been sound), the game proved to be a massive confidence booster for him in terms of the way he clunked his seven marks and also, for his ground level play. His duel with fellow uncapped 2022 first round draftee Jedd Busslinger was a ripper and one can imagine similar contests in the future on a higher stage. 

Also impressive from that class of 2022 were key defender Jed Adams who played his best game yet at Casey, finishing with 11 disposals, rookie ruckman Will Verrall’s 25 hit outs, 19 possessions and two goals and late rookie pick Oliver Sestan (18 disposals, six tackles and a goal) whose improvement over summer has been remarkable. He crashed through packs and intimated the opposition at times in a strong display. 

Andy Moniz-Wakefield was good again with 23 disposals as he pushes hard for senior selection as he awaits an opening to present itself at Melbourne.

Adding to the excitement was the form of Melbourne’s 2023 first-round draftee Koltyn Tholstrup and father/son pick Kynan Brown. The Kolt was again super-impressive with his strength and maturity and the classy way he gathered his 19 touches and six tackles, setting up numerous forward opportunities. The club will have to find a way to include him in its AFL plans soon. Brown was busy again and finished with 16 disposals.

Much has been written about the departure of a number of Casey regulars at the end of last season. Some, like heart and soul player and hard tackler Jimmy Munro are irreplaceable but the club’s recruitment has, on this game’s evidence, been very strong. Campbell Husthwaite was again prolific in the middle, Leo Connolly, a revelation off half back (both had 24 disposals) and Mitch Szybkowski was excellent, particularly early in the game. Skipper Mitch White plugged away to be his team’s best for the day while Tyler Edwards also picked up plenty of the football.

The end result was most satisfying for the fans who came to support the team over the Easter holiday. A win is not far away and could come next Saturday week against Port Melbourne. Such an outcome might not be the stuff of dreams but the promise of good times is definitely on the horizon for the Melbourne/Casey alliance.

CASEY DEMONS 6.2.38 8.7.55 8.13.61 12.13.85

FOOTSCRAY 6.2.38 10.3.63 12.8.80 15 9.99

GOALS 

CASEY DEMONS Schache 4 Jefferson Verrall 2 Connolly Sestan Steele White

FOOTSCRAY Lobb 5 Clarke Jones Spicer 2 Benendo Bianco Garcia Harmes

BEST

CASEY DEMONS White Verrall Edwards Sestan Hustwaite Tholstrop

FOOTSCRAY Harmes Garcia Lobb Bianco Freijah Hunt

Statistics  

Jed Adams 10 kicks 1 handballs 11 disposals 4 marks 1 tackle 46 dream team points
Kynan Brown 1 behind 6 kicks 10 handballs 16 disposals 5 marks 1 tackle 58 dream team points
Leo Connolly 1 goal 1 behind 19 kicks 5 handballs 24 disposals 4 marks 80 dream team points
Paddy Cross 5 kicks 7 handballs 12 disposals 3 marks 1 tackle 42 dream team points
Tyler Edwards 1 behind 16 kicks 5 handballs 21 disposals 10 marks 2 tackles 95 dream team points
Kyah Farris-White 1 kick 1 disposal 3 dream team points
Tom Freeman 5 kicks 1 handballs 6 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 34 dream team points
Tom Fullarton 1 behind 10 kicks 8 handballs 18 disposals 4 marks 1 tackle 6 hitouts 70 dream team points
Max Gregory 5 kicks 8 handballs 13 disposals 3 marks 3 tackles 53 dream team points
Campbell Husthwaite 11 kicks 13 handballs 24 disposals 4 marks 5 tackles 94 dream team points
Matt Jefferson 2 goals 3 behinds 9 kicks 9 disposals 7 marks 5 tackles 78 dream team points
Andy Moniz-Wakefield 17 kicks 6 handballs 23 disposals 5 marks 75 dream team points
Ned Moodie 6 kicks 6 handballs 12 disposals 4 marks 2 tackles 51 dream team points
Charlie Peters 2 kicks 2 handballs 4 disposals 1 mark 1 tackle 17 dream team points
Josh Schache 4 goals 6 kicks 5 handballs 11 disposals 4 marks 3 tackles 74 dream team points
Ollie Sestan 1 goal 2 behinds 10 kicks 8 handballs 18 disposals 5 marks 6 tackles 94 dream team points
Tom Sheridan 2 kicks 2 handballs 4 disposals 1 mark 10 dream team points
Roan Steele 1 goal 1 behind 7 kicks 6 handballs 13 disposals 2 marks 46 dream team points
Mitch Szybkowski 10 kicks 7 handballs 17 disposals 1 mark 1 tackle 52 dream team points
Koltyn Tholstrup 8 kicks 11 handballs 19 disposals 6 marks 6 tackles 88 dream team points
Ziggy Toledo 4 kicks 2 handballs 6 disposals 3 marks 1 tackle 29 dream team points
Will Verrall 2 goals 7 kicks 12 handballs 19 disposals 4 marks 1 tackle 25 hitouts 95 dream team points
Mitch White 1 goal 1 behind 21 kicks 7 handballs  28 disposals 7 marks 3 tackles 118 dream team points

[Freddy Fuschia 666]

Not related to this particular game but Mykelti Lefau who played his second AFL game for Richmond today is still a Casey story.

Lefau was a development player for Melbourne Storm before switching from NRL to play Australian rules football. He played for St Kilda City and famously kicked 25 goals in an under-19s match. He then moved to the Casey Demons where he showed some promise and played a few games in each of the 2017 and 2018 seasons but never progressed and moved on. He was quiet today but took his opportunities and kicked a couple of goals for Richmond. Great persistence from the 25 year old and a lesson for those who are quick to write off players too early.

 

[MO FINE 146]

Did I read correctly that Casey’s next game is against Port Melbourne next Saturday 6th April at Kinetic Stadium, Frankston? That’s a fair trek from the inner city area just to watch a game of footy and get a Burraberger?

 

[spirit of norm smith 13,184]

Agree that Mitch Szybkowski had a good debut for Casey.  He has a good build as an inside mid and kicks over 50 metres easily.  

[58er 5,632]

On 30/03/2024 at 15:35, deejammin' said:

Last week there was very little to be excited about. 
This week Verrall has been great. Jeffo showing his quality. Adams much improved down back. Kolt and Sestan beasts. AMW shows a lot of dash, guts and skill. Brown shows a bit. Plenty to take away from this for us. 

Glad to hear of our very promising response after last week.

I posted  last week that the over the top criticism of many D/Lers of the first round defeat did not reflect the state of our depth and this effort has shown a truer reflection of our young and developing group. 

Great to hear of Kolt Kynan AMW Matty J Jed Adams Fullarton Verrall and Sestan showing some real promise of their ability. 

Well done on todays  effort all concerned. 
 

 

 

[Demonland 65,946]

[picket fence 15,380]

13 hours ago, MO FINE said:

Did I read correctly that Casey’s next game is against Port Melbourne next Saturday 6th April at Kinetic Stadium, Frankston? That’s a fair trek from the inner city area just to watch a game of footy and get a Burraberger?

 

Frankstons Ground is a ripper to watch footy and their state of the art lights make Casey's lights look like candles on a birthday cake

[stinga 475]

On 30/03/2024 at 17:37, Redleg said:

Verall is showing plenty.

A bit in the mould of LJ.

 

I think this will be a watershed game from him.   If he is going to succeed as a second ruck to Max he has to gain possession and kick goals which is what he did.  Might not be this year but it was great to see.

[stinga 475]

On 30/03/2024 at 17:12, deejammin' said:

JVR is in his third season, he was always bulky. He played seniors at the start of his second season after a fairly dominant first season in the VFL where he kicked a large number of goals in a premiership. He definitely grew his fitness base before the second season doing running in the off season with Knuckle and Woey but I don’t think bulk/strength was ever his issue. 
Jeffo is a different type, rangy, great hands, good goal sense,  usually better kicking, can get around the ground. The improvement in his pressure game and positioning after his time on the wing and in the backline is evident. I think he still needs to work on his fitness as his second efforts can be lacking but he’s growing into a good second forward and if his confidence and fitness grows he could become a very good option in a year or so. 
 

I see Kolt in the Tom Sparrow and early career Trac mould. A powerful half forward who rotates through the midfield. 

I always said Jefferson had a huge upside to come.   This is just another step on the way.

[Return to Glory 7,779]

Great to read the reports on Sestan, Kolt and Jefferson. Feel like JVR is living a little bit on potential himself at the moment. It would be nice to have some competition (at some point) for his spot and if Jefferson can clunk some at the level, well, hello ducky

[Ugottobekidding 915]

So last week Jeffo was never gonna make it, this week he is a marking sensation, this week he was wonky kicking.

Just need to know what his arm size is like😂

[COOLX 142]

Is Hustwaite playing for Casey related to Hustwaite playing AFL footy ?

[picket fence 15,380]

3 hours ago, Ugottobekidding said:

So last week Jeffo was never gonna make it, this week he is a marking sensation, this week he was wonky kicking.

Just need to know what his arm size is like😂

Well I have ALWAYS been on the Jeffo bandwagon. Kid can mark, and is usually a dead eye dick for goal. Last game was an aberation kicking wise, should have had 5 or 6 

[dazzledavey36 49,003]

1 hour ago, COOLX said:

Is Hustwaite playing for Casey related to Hustwaite playing AFL footy ?

Yes

[Demonsterative 2,035]

9 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Well I have ALWAYS been on the Jeffo bandwagon. Kid can mark, and is usually a dead eye dick for goal. Last game was an aberation kicking wise, should have had 5 or 6 

Jeffo has coped a lot on this site for not living up to JVR standards in their first year. They are different types of players and we all need to allow this young, thin man mature into his body playing against men. The kid has talent it’s a matter of this translating into VFL/AFL level. 
 

Jeffo was never going to be a quick fix to our fwd line woes and the injuries to BBB and TMac. It does my head how many in this board turn against players on the list for not living up to their expectations and on their own timeline.