THUMPING by KC from Casey Demons

The Casey Demons issued a strong statement to the remaining teams in the VFL race with a thumping 76-point victory in their Elimination Final against Williamstown. This was the sixth consecutive win for the Demons, who stormed into the finals from a long way back with scalps including two of the teams still in flag contention.

Senior Coach Taylor Whitford would have been delighted with the manner in which his team opened its finals campaign with high impact after securing the lead early in the game when Jai Culley delivered a precise pass to a lead from Noah Yze, who scored his first of seven straight goals for the day. Yze kicked his second on the quarter time siren, by which time the Demons were already in control. The youngster repeated the dose in the second term as the Seagulls were reduced to mere spectators as they trailed by 44 points at half time.

The procession continued with the son of  Demon great and current Richmond coach Adem, lifting his goal tally to seven, an economical return from twelve possessions. It was a fine performance given the blustery conditions at Casey Fields.

Yze was complemented by effective partners in the goal kicking spree. Key forwards Aidan Johnson and Luker Kentfield each contributed two goals, while Casey-listed Paddy Cross demonstrated his improvement with four opportunistic goals that would have likely impressed the talent scouts in attendance.

The two men instrumental in securing the victory and ensuring a consistent supply to the forwards were ruckman Tom Campbell, who excelled in the ruck with 29 hitouts, 22 disposals, and 12 clearances, and midfielder Bailey Laurie, who delivered an outstanding performance in the engine room with 27 disposals, seven marks, four tackles, and a goal.

They received great support from teammates Koltyn Tholstrup, Jack Billings Jai Culley and a couple more father-son products in Taj Woewodin. Mitch Hardie was strong in the clinches and Riley Bonner had some impressive moments.

Tholstrup has faced criticism in the past for his inconsistency, but he is demonstrating rapid improvement at this level, and with a strong finish at Casey, a full preseason, and potential inclusion in Melbourne's midfield mix next year, he promises significant further development.

The defence remained resolute throughout, with some promising signs for transition into the future, as Melbourne assesses its ageing backline. Blake Howes (25 possessions, 12 marks), Jed Adams (17 possessions, nine marks, one goal), and Oliver Sestan (20 disposals) all played a huge part in the victory. Sestan is an excellent long kick and his return after several weeks off with injury was a bonus. Tom Fullarton was strong all day.

One sour note was Charlie Spargo's injury, which occurred when he dislocated his shoulder in the third quarter and ended up in hospital; until then, he had been motoring along nicely and given North Melbourne’s interest in the Demon premiership player, it might be the last time the fans will have to see him in the red and blue colours.

The team has an interesting assignment in next week’s semi final against neighbouring Frankston by the bay.  The local rivals did not meet during the home and away season but the Dolphins have always been tough opponents irrespective of ladder position. Details of the game are expected to be released early in the week

CASEY DEMONS 6.2.38 11.5.71 15.6.96 20.12.132

WILLIAMSTOWN 2.3.15 4.3.27 7.4.46 8.8.56

GOALS

CASEY DEMONS Yze 7 Cross 4 Johnson Kentfield 2 Adams Billings Brown Laurie Woewodin

WILLIAMSTOWN Mc McLaughlin 3 Hollow 2 Colenso Collier-Dawkins Gollant

BEST

CASEY DEMONS Yze Adams Laurie Cross Howes Campbell

WILLIAMSTOWN Greiser Fitzgerald Downie Toner Parks Hall-Kahan