It was freezing cold at Mission Whitten Stadium where only the brave came out in the rain to watch a game that turned out to be as miserable as the weather.

The Casey Demons secured their third consecutive victory, earning the four premiership points and credit for defeating a highly regarded Collingwood side, but achieved little else. Apart perhaps from setting the scene for Monday’s big game at the MCG and the Ice Challenge that precedes it.

Neither team showcased significant skill in the bleak and greasy conditions, at a location that was far from either’s home territory. Even the field umpires forgot where they were and experienced a challenging evening, but no further comment is necessary.

The Demons dominated from the outset, steadied by the experience of their defenders led by Tom McDonald, who accumulated 15 possessions and six marks, and Marty Hore, who returned from injury with 11 touches. They held the Magpies goalless in the opening quarter and limited them to just three goals at three-quarter time. The problem was that Casey struggled to convert in front of goals, in an almost mirror image of the challenges faced recently by its senior counterpart.

In the final term, the Magpies managed to put a few goals together and were on the cusp of snatching victory until Jack Billings stepped up. The veteran had led from the beginning and he produced a brilliant 28 possession game on the night to kick a confidence boosting goal just when it was needed. It wasn’t exactly the sealer but, in a game where goals were hard to come by, it was an essential for the victory. That goal was followed by a freakish shot off the ground from regular goal sneak Paddy Cross and the game was safe.

Billings’ partner in crime in the midfield was Bailey Laurie who chimed in for the only goal of the opening term. He was solid all evening racking up 27 touches and seven tackles. Unfortunately, “Bill” seems to always miss out at the highest level in terms of not being able to get full game time. Another important player in the same category is Taj Woewodin who lifted in the final term to finish with 21 possessions and seven tackles.

That trio was complimented by some now regularly consistent performances from VFL-listed stars in Riley Bonner, Mitch Hardie and Riley Baldi. Bonner was best on ground with 27 kicks, 8 handballs, 9 marks, 5 inside 50s and 8 rebound 50s. He was in everything from the word go and Hardie and Baldi weren’t far behind. As the team moves closer to finals contention, these players are proving to be more than invaluable additions to the Casey roster.

Also of key importance is the master/apprentice ruck relationship of Tom Campbell and Will Verrall who together have been significant in the midfield winning first use out of the stoppages.

Casey’s Saturday Night Fever tour continues next week when for some illogical reason it is slated as the host at ETU Stadium, Port Melbourne, home of the famous Burraberger (but not sure if available for this event), against Essendon’s VFL team. Go figure?

CASEY DEMONS 1.3.9 3.6.24 5.11.41 7.15.57

COLLINGWOOD VFL 0.1.1 2.2.14 3.5.23 7.6.48

GOALS

CASEY DEMONS Billings Cross Hardie Ireland Kentfield Laurie Mentha

COLLINGWOOD VFL Cox 2 Browne Byrne Mason Smit Steele

BEST

CASEY DEMONS Bonner Laurie Hardie Billings Woewodin Baldi

COLLINGWOOD VFL Steele Mitchell Dean DeMattia Grey Markov

Did Kentfield play in the forward line?

50 minutes ago, old dee said:

Did Kentfield play in the forward line?

Moved there in the second half

It's tough for Laurie. Seems the proverbial bridesmaid. Good to see him firing though. And Billings. Id almost forgotten about him. Is he good enough for a chance yet?

54 minutes ago, Previously known as LITD. said:

It's tough for Laurie. Seems the proverbial bridesmaid. Good to see him firing though. And Billings. Id almost forgotten about him. Is he good enough for a chance yet?

if either of them play afl again i'm going to assume we have a lot of injuries