CASEY has made Port Melbourne pay for wasteful goal kicking, running over The Borough in the final term to record a 15-point win at Fortburn Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Casey Demons 15.8 (98) defeated Port Melbourne 10.23 (83).
In a game full of momentum shifts, the Demons came from one-point down at three quarter-time to storm to victory, booting five goals as the game opened up in the last term.
Both sides had moments of brilliance throughout the contest, but the accuracy in front of goal proved the difference in the match.
“They probably had more dominance for longer over the course of the game but when we had our period of dominance we were able to make the most of it,” senior coach Jade Rawlings told Melbourne Media.
“The momentum swings are based upon the ground, two teams having a really good go at it and creating opportunities for themselves.”
A brilliant goal from the boundary by Harley Balic got the Demons off to the flyer they needed in the last quarter, giving his side a lead that was maintained for the remainder of the day.
It wasn’t all good news for Casey, as Mitch White came off second best in a gutsy third quarter incident, suffering an injury to the AC joint in his shoulder.
In the absence of Cameron Pedersen and Tim Smith, White’s injury left Casey with a dilemma in front of the ball, but Declan Keilty was swung forward in a move which influenced the match.
At 194cm, Keilty provided a target for Casey and kicked an important goal from one of his six disposals in the final term.
“We needed someone we could kick the ball to and I thought Keilty’s last quarter was a big reason why we were able to get the victory,” Rawlings said.
The structural move helped Sam Frost continue his good form, while young defenders Harrison Petty and Dion Johnstone were strong contributors for the Demons.
“I thought the backline had a pretty reasonable day,” Rawlings said.
But it was 19-year-old Mitch Lewis who shone, filling in for Jayden Hunt and playing a sensational role off half-back.
“It was an outstanding game for a young man playing his fourth game in the VFL,” Rawlings said.
Another shocking start by the Demons left the game in the hands of their opposition, but Port Melbourne failed to capitalise on the scoreboard.
In the first 23 minutes of the match, The Borough had 11 scoring shots, converting on just two occasions, while the post was struck four times.
“Nothing they did in the first quarter was a shock to us, we just weren’t able to match it,” Rawlings said.
“Playing at Port Melbourne is always a big deal and I have a high level of respect for them as a footy club.
“I’m sure they would’ve liked to have been four or five goals to one or two at quarter-time … but that’s the game.”
Casey then went on an impressive run, booting seven of the next eight goals, capped off by debutant Aidan Quigley who toe-poked one through and gave Casey a 12-point lead at half-time.
While the momentum largely impacted the game, Rawlings was disappointed with Casey’s clearance work up until the final change.
“I felt our competing around the ground was good … but we were getting smacked around the clearances,” Rawlings said.
“I put a pretty big onus on our players inside and it was really pleasing to see … us get some forward momentum.”
Billy Stretch led the midfield fight back with 29 disposals, and received assistance from Corey Wagner and Dom Tyson.
The Demons were then able to drive the ball inside 50 late in the game and create opportunities to score, helping them run away with the four points.
After three consecutive wins, Casey will remain on the road in round nine, taking on Williamstown at Burbank Oval next Sunday afternoon.
CASEY DEMONS 2.1 8.2 10.5 15.8 (98)
PORT MELBOURNE 2.9 4.14 8.18 10.23 (83)
CASEY GOALS
Balic 3, Bugg, Kennedy-Harris, Tyson 2, Garlett, Keilty, Munro, Quigley, Smith, C. Wagner
CASEY BEST
Stretch, Keilty, Lewis, Petty, C. Wagner, Frost
