CASEY has stormed home to claim a stunning 43-point win over the previously undefeated Port Melbourne at Casey Fields on Saturday night.
Coming off three consecutive losses, the Demons were fierce at the contest all night and out-worked the Borough to run away with a much needed victory.
Casey Demons 14.12 (96) defeated Port Melbourne 8.5 (53).
With the game in the balance in the last quarter, it was the Casey-listed Ethan Morris who stood up and sealed the match with three consecutive goals.
“It’s probably one of the best wins I’ve had at the club, so I’m super proud of the players … and it’s got our season back on track,” senior coach Justin Plapp told melbournefc.com.au.
It was a game of momentum early, with Casey’s relentless pressure handing them the opening two goals of the match.
But consecutive 50 metre penalties kick-started a five-goal run for the Borough.
Casey’s 78 tackles were a feature of the game and allowed the Demons to get back on top.
After a disappointing effort against the Northern Blues last week, Plapp said it was crucial the Demons lifted their work rate.
“I’m a catalyst of us doing a bit of soul searching and getting back to the basics of our game, our contests and our pressure.
“You look on the board and there’s three real key things: spirit, communication and play your role.”
Returning from suspension, Jake Melksham kicked a classy long goal in the early stages of the second term and was a major factor in the win.
“Melksham had a role today. He played on [Eli] Templeton, knocked him over, had 33 [disposals] and kicked two himself,” Plapp said.
“He’s doing a shut down roll and getting those numbers - I think it’s pretty significant.”
Melksham sparked a Demon dominance, as they controlled possession in the second quarter and denied the Borough a look at the goals, taking an 11-point lead into the main break.
It took just two minutes after half-time for Dillon Conway to add the third of his four goals for Port Melbourne and put the Demons on edge.
But it was Liam Hulett who halted the Borough charge with two quick goals in response. After starting the season down back, Hulett made the shift forward to add some height inside 50. At 193cm, Hulett was a strong target in the air, while offering pressure at ground level.
“His time down back has probably helped him a little bit with his pressure and stuff like that,” Plapp said.
“He played an important part early in the game when we needed to take a catch forward and he was really important to us.”
A tight third term left the game in the balance, as the Demons entered the final quarter just two goals clear.
But a spirited Demon outfit did the damage, kicking the last six goals to claim their second victory of the season.
Alex Neal-Bullen continued to find the ball with ease for Casey, backing up his 35-disposal performance last week with an equal output on Saturday night.
“He continues to play high-level VFL football. We know what we’re going to get from him,” Plapp said.
Billy Stretch was also classy on the outside with 21 disposals.
Ex-North Melbourne and Richmond small forward Robin Nahas lined up for the Borough and played his 100th VFL game. But Casey vice-captain James Munro ensured it wasn’t one to remember, sticking tightly by his side all night and restricting him to a scoreless seven disposals.
Ben Kennedy had 24 disposals and kicked a goal at half-forward.
James Harmes didn’t take the field as he was held over as emergency for Melbourne’s clash with North Melbourne on Sunday.
Young Casey forward Bayley Fritsch continues to show why he could be a future AFL prospect, with one goal in another neat display. Fritsch’s impressive start to 2017 has been recognised as he has been selected in the 27-man VFL state squad to take on the WAFL next Saturday afternoon.
The VFL representative side will be out at North Port Oval next weekend, handing the Casey Demons a week off.
But Plapp is adamant the Demons won’t be backing down.
“It’s business as usual … we’ve got to be able to take that and put it into our training and build off that,” he said.
“We had a lot of winners on the night and we need to celebrate that. But the challenge is moving forward, we need to be able to be ready when we play Coburg in two weeks.”
CASEY DEMONS 4.4 6.6 8.9 14.12 (96)
PORT MELBOURNE 5.0 5.1 7.3 8.5 (53)
CASEY GOALS
Morris 3, Melksham, Hulett, Ferreira 2, Fritsch, Gent, Kennedy, Kennedy-Harris, Neal-Bullen
CASEY BEST
Melksham, Neal-Bullen, Kennedy, Morris, Hulett, Munro
