AFTER dropping its first three games of the season, Casey’s women’s team has continued to develop and are on the verge of a finals appearance in its inaugural season.
The Demons have been playing with a great spirit in recent weeks and with four wins on the board from their 10 games, currently sit in ninth position on the ladder.
On the cusp of a finals berth, percentage separates Casey from both Carlton and the Southern Saints, making for a crucial final four matches in the weeks ahead.
Casey played its only game outside of Victoria on Saturday, falling to the top of the table NT Thunder by 12 points at Traeger Stadium.
It was a daunting task to take on the best side in the league under the warm Alice Springs sun, but the Demons took it right up to the classy Thunder, keeping them goalless after half-time.
Young star Eden Zanker was among the best players on the weekend, as the Demons have had a good mix of contributors from their Melbourne and Casey listed players so far this season.
Zanker was selected with pick No.6 in the 2017 AFL Women’s Draft, and the 18-year-old has been a great asset inside 50 for Casey.
Fellow AFLW stars Katherine Smith and Kate Hore are others who have regularly been among the best players, offering their leadership and experience to their teammates.
Smith is a competitive onballer who has impressed with her toughness around the contest and ability to force the ball forward, while Hore is a classy forward with silky skills around the goals.
Kaila Bentvelzen has been one of the shining lights for Casey this season, as the 176cm forward has booted 11 goals for the Demons. Bentvelzen is ranked fifth on the VFLW goal kicking leaderboard, and her five-goal performance against Williamstown was one of the highlights of the season.
Bentvelzen celebrates one of her five against the Seagulls (Photo: Daniel Pockett)
Darcy Guttridge has been a tremendous edition for the Demons, coming across from Collingwood’s AFLW side to add her poise with the ball, while Maddie Shevlin is a strong runner who has continued to perform.
There has been constant improvement across the board for Casey, holding it in good stead for the backend of this season, and many years to come.
The Demons will play their final four games of the home and away season at Casey Fields, giving them a chance to land a spot in the top eight.
Round 1
BYE
Round 2
CASEY DEMONS 1.0 3.3 3.3 3.6 (24)
HAWTHORN 1.3 1.3 2.7 4.7 (31)
Goals: S. Phillips, R. Clayton, R. Guglielmino
Best: K. Smith, C. Emonson, D. Guttridge, M. Shevlin, T. Orgill, H. Cordner
Round 3
CASEY DEMONS 2.5 2.5 3.7 4.7 (31)
SOUTHERN SAINTS 0.0 2.1 2.1 6.3 (39)
Goals: K. Smith, K. Bentvelzen , E. Zanker , K. Hore
Best: K. Smith, K. Hore, M. Shevlin, S. Poke, D. Guttridge, H. Cordner
Round 4
CASEY DEMONS 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 (9)
DAREBIN 1.1 2.2 6.4 11.7 (73)
Goals: K. Guttridge
Best: H. Cordner, C. Emonson, S. Poke, G. McLean, J. Allen, K. Hore
Round 5
CASEY DEMONS 2.0 3.0 7.0 8.1 (49)
WILLIAMSTOWN 1.0 2.2 2.3 5.7 (37)
Goals: K. Bentvelzen 5, B. Struylaart 2, M. Tatham
Best: C. Sheriff, K. Bentvelzen , D. Guttridge, L. Lowerson, H. Cordner, T. Orgill
Round 6
BYE
Round 7
CASEY DEMONS 1.1 2.3 3.3 4.4 (28)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.4 2.6 4.6 4.7 (31)
Goals: K. Smith, A. Newman, K. Bentvelzen , H. Cordner
Best: K. Smith, C. Sheriff, J. Allen, A. McDonough, E. Zanker , S. Phillips
Round 8
CASEY DEMONS 0.1 2.6 4.6 6.11 (47)
ESSENDON 0.1 1.2 3.3 3.3 (21)
Goals: K. Hore 2, S. Sloane, H. Cordner, K. Bentvelzen , E. Zanker
Best: B. Jakobsson, S. Sloane, M. Tatham, K. Smith, K. Bentvelzen , K. Hore
Round 9
CASEY DEMONS 1.2 2.2 2.3 3.3 (21)
SOUTHERN SAINTS 0.0 0.2 0.3 1.4 (10)
Goals: K. Bentvelzen , S. Phillips, T. Mesiti
Best: T. Orgill, G. McLean, M. Hogg, M. Shevlin, S. Fyfield, H. Bailey
Round 10
CASEY DEMONS 0.0 2.6 2.7 5.9 (39)
RICHMOND 0.4 0.4 2.8 2.9 (21)
Goals: K. Guttridge, E. Zanker 2, D. Guttridge
Best: A. Harrison, R. Clayton, K. Smith, T. Orgill, K. Guttridge, S. Sloane
Round 11
CASEY DEMONS 1.1 2.2 2.3 4.3 (27)
GEELONG 1.3 4.4 6.7 10.8 (68)
Goals: K. Bentvelzen 2, K. Smith, K. Hore
Best: A. Harrison, E. Zanker, S. Phillips, C. Whitfort, T. Orgill, M. Shevlin
Round 12
CASEY DEMONS 2.0 2.0 5.1 7.3 (45)
NT THUNDER 4.2 8.6 8.7 8.9 (57)
Goals: E. Zanker 2, S. Scott 2, K. Smith, A. Newman, M. Shevlin
Best: S. Phillips, B. Jakobsson, S. Scott, E. Zanker , M. Shevlin, T. Orgill
Round 13
Casey Demons v Carlton – Saturday 4th of August @ Casey Fields
Round 14
Casey Demons v Melbourne Uni – Saturday 11th of August @ Casey Fields
Round 15
Casey Demons v Geelong – Sunday 19th of August @ Casey Fields
Round 16
Casey Demons v Collingwood – Saturday 25th of August @ Casey Fields
