Demonland

Sneek peek at the long sleeve Indigenous Round guernsey.

I believe our VFLW just lost their first game this weekend but nevertheless it is still a remarkable start to the season for the Demons.

The Casey Demons overcame a bout of goal kicking yips and a last quarter Box Hill Hawks comeback to record a thrilling 7 point away from home victory on Sunday. With senior affiliate Melbourne fighting a Covid breakout and some injury concerns to their listed players, Casey turned to youth and called up locals Zac Andrewartha, Matthew Johnson and Harvey Neocleous to join Matt Buntine, a local product who was part of the inaugural GWS Giants list. The team made a slow start but took control late in the opening term and led at every change. There was little to get excited about in what was for the most part a dull game under cloudy skies at Box Hill City Oval and but for their inaccuracy in front of goal, the game should have been safely in the Demons’ hands by the final break. However, two goals to the home side reduced what had been a game high 26 point Casey lead midway through the final term to a manageable 17 points with the freshening breeze aiding the Hawks. The Hawks grabbed their chances early in the final quarter and within ten minutes took the lead after three more unanswered goals. Casey coach Mark Corrigan made some telling changes to the on ball division and the team lifted on the running strength of Oskar Baker and the goal kicking composure of the previous night’s medical sub Kade Chandler who responded with three goals, the last of which, at the 23 minute mark, made victory safe despite a goal on the siren which brought the home team back to a losing margin of seven points. The Demons went into the game with 11 AFL listed players after the withdrawal of Jake Melksham due to a late Covid19 case at Melbourne and with Michael Hibberd also out, they were severely down on experience. Box Hill were in a similar situation - they fielded only 9 Hawthorn players. It was left to a combination of young and old to preserve Casey’s undefeated record. Majak Daw was magnificent in the ruck and was aided by young ruckman Jake Bell who lifted in the final term. Skipper Mitch White was ever-reliable kicking the team’s opening goal with help from a brilliant Chandler pass and another to kick off the second half. James Munro burrowed into packs and tackled hard in the midfield and George Grey kicked a couple of handy goals. Adam Tomlinson was handy with some strong marking in defence. Some Demon youngsters are worthy of mention. Bailey Laurie played his best game and was dangerous up forward throughout. Likewise, live wire small forward Andy Moniz-Wakefield was impressive with his run and his endeavour, particularly when the chips were down late in the game. And high marking Jacob Van Rooyen showed some glimpses of special talent which should, when fully developed, translate into a very good AFL key forward in due course. He kicked an outstanding goal in the third quarter. Fraser Rosman had his moments and seems to have settled well into a key defensive position. In the end, the final score of 10.19.79 to 11.6.72 said it all about Casey’s big bout of the yips. The top of the ladder Demons face a big challenge next up when they host Southport for the first time at Casey Fields. CASEY DEMONS 3.7.25 5.10.40 7.15.57 10.19.79 BOX HILL HAWKS 2.2.14 4.4.28 6.4.40 11.6.72 GOALS CASEY DEMONS Chandler 3 Grey White 2 Laurie Steele Van Rooyen BOX HILL HAWKS Jeka 3 Greene 2 Brinker-Ritchie Butler Cavarra Parsons Phillips Serong BEST CASEY DEMONS Baker Moniz-Wakefield Chandler Laurie Munro Bell Tomlinson Grey BOX HILL HAWKS Phillips Grey Mascitti Howe Horner Blanck Statistics Zac Andrewartha 2 kicks 9 handballs 11 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 35 dream team points Oskar Baker 1 behind 13 kicks 3 handballs 16 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 60 dream team points Riley Baldi 7 kicks 1 handballs 8 disposals 17 dream team points Jake Bell 2 behinds 4 kicks 5 handballs 9 disposals 4 marks 11 hit outs 47 dream team points Mitch Brown 3 behinds 9 kicks 3 handballs 12 disposals 8 marks 57 dream team points Matt Buntine 7 kicks 5 handballs 12 disposals 3 marks 40 dream team points Kade Chandler 3 goals 11 kicks 5 handballs 16 disposals 6 marks 4 tackles 95 dream team points Majak Daw 8 kicks 2 handballs 10 disposals 4 marks 2 tackles 31 hit outs 81 dream team points Luca Goonan 1 behind 4 kicks 9 handballs 13 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 45 dream team points George Grey 2 goals 2 behinds 11 kicks 3 handballs 14 disposals 5 marks 68 dream team points Matthew Johnson 9 kicks 4 handballs 13 disposals 5 marks 51 dream team points Bailey Laurie 1 goal 2 behinds 15 kicks 9 handballs 24 disposals 4 marks 2 tackles 89 dream team points Judd McVee 4 kicks 7 handballs 11 disposals 2 marks 1 tackle 34 dream team points Bryce Milford 3 kicks 4 handballs 7 disposals 1 marks 21 dream team points Andy Moniz-Wakefield 11 kicks 6 handballs 17 disposals marks tackles 61 dream team points James Munro 2 behinds 12 kicks 11 handballs 23 disposals 5 marks 3 tackles 81 dream team points Harvey Neocleous 1 behind 5 kicks 1 handballs 6 disposals 2 marks 1 tackles 28 dream team points Fraser Rosman 8 kicks 3 handballs 11 disposals 6 marks 5 tackles 45 dream team points Deakyn Smith 3 kicks 3 handballs 6 disposals 1 mark 1 tackle 20 dream team points Roan Steele 1 goals 5 kicks 1 handball 6 disposals 1 mark 1 tackle 30 dream team points Adam Tomlinson 10 kicks 4 handballs 14 disposals 5 marks 2 tackles 61 dream team points Jacob Van Rooyen 1 goal 1 behind 7 kicks 2 handballs 9 disposals 6 marks 2 hit outs 52 dream team points Mitch White 2 goals 1 behind 12 kicks 3 handballs 15 disposals 5 marks 3 tackles 58 dream team points

YIPS by KC from Casey The Casey Demons overcame a bout of goal kicking yips and a last quarter Box Hill Hawks comeback to record score a goal a thrilling 7 point away from home victory on Sunday. With senior affiliate Melbourne fighting a Covid breakout and some injury concerns to their listed players, Casey turned to youth and called up locals Zac Andrewartha, Matthew Johnson and Harvey Neocleous to join Matt Buntine, a local product who was part of the inaugural GWS Giants list. The team made a slow start but took control late in the opening term and led at every change. There was little to get excited about in what was for the most part a dull game under cloudy skies at Box Hill City Oval and but for their inaccuracy in front of goal, the game should have been safely in the Demons’ hands by the final break. However, two goals to the home side reduced what had been a game high 26 point Casey lead midway through the final term to a manageable 17 points with the freshening breeze aiding the Hawks. The Hawks grabbed their chances early in the final quarter and within ten minutes took the lead after three more unanswered goals. Casey coach Mark Corrigan made some telling changes to the on ball division and the team lifted on the running strength of Oskar Baker and the goal kicking composure of the previous night’s medical sub Kade Chandler who responded with three goals, the last of which, at the 23 minute mark, made victory safe despite a goal on the siren which brought the home team back to a losing margin of seven points. The Demons went into the game with 11 AFL listed players after the withdrawal of Jake Melksham due to a late Covid19 case at Melbourne and with Michael Hibberd also out, they were severely down on experience. Box Hill were in a similar situation - they fielded only 9 Hawthorn players. It was left to a combination of young and old to preserve Casey’s undefeated record. Majak Daw was magnificent in the ruck and was aided by young ruckman Jake Bell who lifted in the final term. Skipper Mitch White was ever-reliable kicking the team’s opening goal with help from a brilliant Chandler pass and another to kick off the second half. James Munro burrowed into packs and tackled hard in the midfield and George Grey kicked a couple of handy goals. Adam Tomlinson was handy with some strong marking in defence. Some Demon youngsters are worthy of mention. Bailey Laurie played his best game and was dangerous up forward throughout. Likewise, live wire small forward Andy Moniz-Wakefield was impressive with his run and his endeavour, particularly when the chips were down late in the game. And high marking Jacob Van Rooyen showed some glimpses of special talent which should, when fully developed, translate into a very good AFL key forward in due course. He kicked an outstanding goal in the third quarter. Fraser Rosman had his moments and seems to have settled well into a key defensive position. In the end, the final score of 10.19.79 to 11.6.72 said it all about Casey’s big bout of the yips. The top of the ladder Demons face a big challenge next up when they host Southport for the first time at Casey Fields. CASEY DEMONS 3.7.25 5.10.40 7.15.57 10.19.79 BOX HILL HAWKS 2.2.14 4.4.28 6.4.40 11.6.72 GOALS CASEY DEMONS Chandler 3 Grey White 2 Laurie Steele Van Rooyen BOX HILL HAWKS Jeka 3 Greene 2 Brinker-Ritchie Butler Cavarra Parsons Phillips Serong BEST CASEY DEMONS Baker Moniz-Wakefield Chandler Laurie Munro Bell Tomlinson Grey BOX HILL HAWKS Phillips Grey Mascitti Howe Horner Blanck Statistics Zac Andrewartha 2 kicks 9 handballs 11 disposals 1 mark 2 tackles 35 dream team points Oskar Baker 1 behind 13 kicks 3 handballs 16 disposals 3 marks 2 tackles 60 dream team points Riley Baldi 7 kicks 1 handballs 8 disposals 17 dream team points Jake Bell 2 behinds 4 kicks 5 handballs 9 disposals 4 marks 11 hit outs 47 dream team points Mitch Brown 3 behinds 9 kicks 3 handballs 12 disposals 8 marks 57 dream team points Matt Buntine 7 kicks 5 handballs 12 disposals 3 marks 40 dream team points Kade Chandler 3 goals 11 kicks 5 handballs 16 disposals 6 marks 4 tackles 95 dream team points Majak Daw 8 kicks 2 handballs 10 disposals 4 marks 2 tackles 31 hit outs 81 dream team points Luca Goonan 1 behind 4 kicks 9 handballs 13 disposals 2 marks 2 tackles 45 dream team points George Grey 2 goals 2 behinds 11 kicks 3 handballs 14 disposals 5 marks 68 dream team points Matthew Johnson 9 kicks 4 handballs 13 disposals 5 marks 51 dream team points Bailey Laurie 1 goal 2 behinds 15 kicks 9 handballs 24 disposals 4 marks 2 tackles 89 dream team points Judd McVee 4 kicks 7 handballs 11 disposals 2 marks 1 tackle 34 dream team points Bryce Milford 3 kicks 4 handballs 7 disposals 1 marks 21 dream team points Andy Moniz-Wakefield 11 kicks 6 handballs 17 disposals marks tackles 61 dream team points James Munro 2 behinds 12 kicks 11 handballs 23 disposals 5 marks 3 tackles 81 dream team points Harvey Neocleous 1 behind 5 kicks 1 handballs 6 disposals 2 marks 1 tackles 28 dream team points Fraser Rosman 8 kicks 3 handballs 11 disposals 6 marks 5 tackles 45 dream team points Deakyn Smith 3 kicks 3 handballs 6 disposals 1 mark 1 tackle 20 dream team points Roan Steele 1 goals 5 kicks 1 handball 6 disposals 1 mark 1 tackle 30 dream team points Adam Tomlinson 10 kicks 4 handballs 14 disposals 5 marks 2 tackles 61 dream team points Jacob Van Rooyen 1 goal 1 behind 7 kicks 2 handballs 9 disposals 6 marks 2 hit outs 52 dream team points Mitch White 2 goals 1 behind 12 kicks 3 handballs 15 disposals 5 marks 3 tackles 58 dream team points

We’re back in the Black Green

With Covid 19 ravaging the club, forcing the absence of five players from last week and some more premiership players still sidelined or returning after isolating, it was certainly a depleted Melbourne side that turned up to front Hawthorn in their Round 7 match up at the MCG. Normally, when a team loses ¼ of its soldiers, you would expect a less than favourable result but after the Hawks opened up a 2 goal lead in the opening minutes (and indeed, it could have been more) the Demon machine started began to grind into action. By quarter time the margin was back to a mere two points and at the major break Melbourne had gained the ascendancy by nine points. We all know what happens to teams playing against the Demons in the 3rd quarter, and this game was exactly the same. Four unanswered goals in only a few minutes, and the game was all over for the Hawks. What wasn’t expected was that Melbourne would put the cue in the rack and fail to score a single major from half way through the 3rd until the final bell. While a win is a win, adopting this style of shutting up shop, even when five goals up will come under challenge as Sydney proved to Hawthorn the week before. Perhaps it was the influx of second tier players, players coming back from Covid exposure, or a directive from the bench. Whatever it was, it wasn’t pretty, and too often it was only the last line defensive efforts of Steven May and Jayden Hunt which saved scoreboard embarrassment. The result showed a 10 point win to the Demons and this game will very quickly be consigned to the forgotten basket. Max Gawn showed why he is the best ruckman in the competition with 29 possessions including an incredible 14 contested. Then to top it off he manages two “Max classic” goals from the 50m arc to put the icing on the cake. Sure, Hawthorn were playing their 3rd best ruck in Lynch, and he acquitted himself admirably, but our Max just didn’t spend his usual amount of time in the rucking role. A lot of that was left to Sam Weideman - perhaps an inordinate amount of time. But once again the coaching staff were probably trying out options, and regardless, Gawn got a lot of rest during the game, something he needs in such a long season and considering the belting he takes each week. As this winning streak which now stretches to 14 games, we continue to underestimate the output of the Petracca and Oliver combination. Just a mere 64 touches between the two of them, and Christian Petracca logged an incredible 637 metres gained, of course most of which is driving the ball deep into the forward line. Down back Stephen May was even more productive with 687 metres gained from his deep kicking out of defence. Supporters in the outer continue to ask why he keeps kicking it to the same spot, but the reality is that same spot is two kicks away from the opposition goals, and more often than not starts the next Melbourne thrust forward. While the addition of Jake Lever and Joel Smith were made to the backline this week, the team felt the absence of Harry Petty. The structure that has been so dependable, conceded 81 points, well above their usual miserly performance. With Michael Hibberd and Christian Salem approaching the range for a return in the coming weeks, and Petty surely for next week, it can be hoped for normal operations to resume soon. Once again Jayden Hunt excelled himself in his new role down back, and on multiple occasions just willed himself to deny the Hawks. If the side is heading for another GF appearance, he is making sure that he is well and truly in the mix. Up forward Big Bad Ben Brown did his job superbly with four goals, and Tom McDonald chimed in with a couple of his own, including one of “was it a mark or a goal” possibly which denied to James Harmes? Whichever way it was 6 points, but the importance of TMac is not the number of majors, but the strength and leading capabilities both in front of goal and up the ground. Was Weideman’s performance adequate? Hard to tell since his time in front of goal was minimal, but it was hardly authoritative enough to guarantee a long term role. And the absence of Kozzie Pickett and Alex Neal-Bullen was sorely missed as the ball rebounded too easily from the forward 50m. So Jake Melksham should find himself spending further time at Casey, even though his 200 game milestone is so close. Next week it’s the Saints who, like Melbourne last week, fell in love with the behinds area of the goal front kicking 15 of them after ¼ time. In 100 minutes of football they managed only 4 majors in the trying conditions of Cairns. Demon fans know all too well how well the players feel following a game in the tropics, so it should be the Saints who are the depleted side next week (Covid19 permitting). MELBOURNE 3.3.21 7.5.47 13.9.87 13.13.91 HAWTHORN 3.5.23 5.8.38 8.11.59 11.15.81 GOALS MELBOURNE Brown 4 McDonald Bedford Gawn 2 Fritsch Petracca Weideman HAWTHORN Koschitzke 4 Breust McDonald Mitchell Moore O’Meara Wingard Worpel BEST MELBOURNE Gawn Oliver Petracca Brayshaw Brown Viney Bowey May HAWTHORN Sicily Moore O'Meara Koschitzke Worpel Maginness INJURIES MELBOURNE J. Smith (ankle) HAWTHORN C. Nash (quadriceps) REPORTS MELBOURNE Nil HAWTHORN Nil SUBSTITUTES MELBOURNE K. Chandler (replaced J. Smith at three-quarter time) HAWTHORN D. Howe (replaced C. Nash in fourth quarter) UMPIRES Jamie Broadbent Simon Meredith Andrew Heffernan CROWD 39,425 at The MCG

Max is moving up but Clarrie’s well on top. 77. Clayton Oliver 60. Max Gawn Christian Petracca 46. Steven May 31. Ed Langdon 30. Angus Brayshaw 22. Jake Bowey 19. Luke Jackson 18. James Harmes 13. Jack Viney 12. Ben Brown 11. James Jordon 9. Alex Neal-Bullen 6. Sam Weideman 5. Jayden Hunt Harry Petty Charlie Spargo 4. Tom Sparrow 3. Kysaiah Pickett Joel Smith 2. Bayley Fritsch

Saints haven’t done too well selling off games.

Who comes in and who goes out?

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