KC from Casey

I look forward to Demonlanders helping me and my iPhone batteries out today with the game being televised. Your comments and score updates from time to time will assist. It looks like being a great day for the footy and nothing like the wild and woolly conditions that were experienced last week at Box Hill.

I think it’s no longer possible to keep a lid on Casey’s Jay Lockhart - VFL 2018: Tasmanian Jay Lockhart is making his mark in the VFL after receiving state combine invite ”JAY Lockhart gave himself two years to see if he could cut it in the VFL. He has needed only one. In fact, Casey people will tell you it was apparent a few weeks into the season that the former Tasmanian was not only up to the standard, he would help set it.”

The Casey Demons have to win this week to keep top spot and assure themselves of a home final. The injury situation at Melbourne will not help and unless a couple of those players pass fitness tests later in the week, they could go into this vital game for the first time this year with less than ten AFL listers. PETER JACKSON VFL 2018 CASEY DEMONS v WILLIAMSTOWN Saturday 25 August 2018 at 2.10pm at Casey Fields, Cranbourne East CASEY DEMONS B: 1. J. Hutchins, 45. D. Keilty, 6. J. Munro HB: 37. D. Johnstone, 55. H. Petty, 42. J. Wagner ? 12. T. Bugg, 13. C. Wagner, 33. J. Kennedy-Harris HF: 19. M. Hannan, 38. T. Smith, 16. D. Kent F: 36. J. Garlett, 21. C. Pedersen, 11. C. Spargo Foll: 34. M. King, 71. D. Tyson, 18. J. Lockhart I/C (from): 23. W. Collis, 39. J. Di Pasquale, 9. M. Gent, 46. L. Hiscock, 41. M. Lefau, 22. G. Lok, 24. C. MacHaya, 40. P. McKenna, 35. A. Quigley, 27. A. Scott, 49. C. Stockdale, 2. M. White 23P: 67. T. Freeman In: W. Collis, J. Di Pasquale, L. Hiscock, J. Kennedy-Harris, M. Lefau, C. Pedersen, A. Quigley Out: J. Briggs, L. Filipovic, W. Stephenson WILLIAMSTOWN B: 18. J. Greiser, 40. L. Buckwell, 21. J. Tippett HB: 35. B. Myers, 8. P. Faulks, 15. O. Tate ? 9. A. Marcon, 16. B. Bewley, 20. M. Norton HF: 10. L. Masters, 5. L. Schultz, 24. W. Wheeler F: 2. B. Cavarra, 7. N. Rodda, 3. S. Dunell Foll: 49. N. Meese, 6. M. Gibbons, 4. B. Jolley I/C (from): 29. L. Bramble, 17. J. Charleston, 12. L. George, 23. J. Jones, 31. B. Monk, 1. J. Pongracic, 13. T. Schnerring, 26. J. Thorpe 23P: 36. D. Henderson In: J. Charleston, P. Faulks, D. Henderson, T. Schnerring, J. Thorpe Out: K. Dawson Keeping an eye on the ladder as well. Defeat for Casey and wins to Richmond and Geelong would mean an away qualifying final against the Cats!

He’s been away a long time and he’s getting on but I agree with Chelly that they were great days for Casey and Silvagni was a big part of it. Unfortunately for the Scorpions they would regularly make the finals in those days and, because of injuries and interesting list management, they would have a handful of AFL listed players available for the finals. That’s why players like Silvagni, Faulks and Mohr were so important for Casey and I think it’s not unlike the current situation with injuries where the quality of the VFL listers is so vital. Congratulations to Alex Silvagni who had an injury interrupted career at AFL level but, given that burden, got the most out of himself.

Robbo on AFL360 on Tom Lynch’s imminent move from Gold Coast to Richmond in the coming off season:- “I think when they start spreading the contracts of Riewoldt, Rance, Cotchin ... spreading it all out, there’s movement at the station as you know, Tom Clancy said in the classics ...” Deep stuff from the Herald Sun football editor but I hope it doesn’t rub off on Jordan Lewis.

Not critical of Declan, Mo. In fact, he’s probably been among Casey’s best 3 or 4 players over the past month or so but the conditions weren’t great for him on Saturday. He contested well against Box Hill but while the stats don’t always paint the full picture (he did a lot of nullifying work), I didn’t think this was his best game. That said, I think he deserves another year on his contract and with another preseason under his belt, he should break through for that elusive first game.

Another look at the game - David Mirra stars as a forward as Box Hill Hawks break Casey's winning streak

The winning run is officially over. Peter Jackson VFL 2018 Casey Demons 1.3.9 2.6.18 5.8.38 6.10.46 Box Hill Hawks 1.3.9 4.7.31 11.9.75 13.13.91 Goals Casey Demons Lockhart 2 Hutchins Lok Stephenson White Box Hill Hawks Mirra Murphy 3 Brolic Cousins Jiath Maloney Moore O'Rourke Ross Best Casey Demons Lockhart J Wagner Keilty Bugg Gent Freeman Box Hill Hawks Cousins O'Donnell Mirra Jiath Kilpatrick Duryea Disposals Bugg C Wagner 28 Gent 2 Munro 24 Lockhart 22

Stephenson gets the 6th but it’s all over.

First goal of the final quarter to Box Hill.

Three quarter time Casey 5.8.38 trail Box Hill 11.9.75 Goals Lockhart 2 Hutchins Lok White Disposals Bugg 22 Gent 21 Munro C Wagner J Wagner 18

Jack Hutchins goal late in the third but they’re well and truly cooked.

Lockhart and Lok the goal kickers this quarter but the Hawks lead by 31 points.

Even at this early stage, the Hawks look like they have this - 37 to 20.

Another to the Hawks which gives them a 13 point lead 4.7.31 to 2.6.18 right on half time. Goals Lockhart White Disposals Gent 14 Bugg Lockhart Machaya C Wagner J Wagner

Free to Box Hill and they have a 7 point lead.

Box Hill lead by a nose. 1 point at 23 minutes.

Tim Smith is having a shocking run with his kicking for goal. His point levels the score at 18 each.

One goal each this quarter.

QTR Time: Casey 1.3.9 to Box Hill Hawks 1.3.9 Goal White Disposals Gent J Wagner 7 Machaya Wagner 6

Mitch White gets the quick reply.

Box Hill get the first goal and lead 1.1.7 to Casey 0.3.3. 16 minutes in.

The team: CASEY DEMONS B: J. Wagner H. Petty J Munro HB: D. Johnstone D. Keilty J. Hutchins ? M. White J. Lockhart T. Bugg HF: A. Scott P. McKenna J. Garlett F: W. Stephenson T. Smith C. MacHaya Foll: M. King M. Gent C. Wagner I/C: J. Briggs L. Filipovic T. Freeman G. Lok C. Stockdale No JKH or Pedo Only 10 MFC type Demons

Today’s game is being televised on 7 so I’m going to have an easy day and mostly leave it to the Demonlanders who follow the VFL to provide most of the comment. Like many of you, I will be watching on the screen and not at the ground. ?

There have definitely been some subtle changes in Sam’s role. He’s stronger, is doing more ruck work around the ground and is becoming a well rounded player, rather than type cast as a KPF. He needs a breakout game at AFL level and if that happens, we won’t see much more of him at Casey.