Summary
There was a rarity at Casey Fields on Saturday afternoon with the sun shining and the winds absent, making for pleasant football conditions. Despite the dry ball, the contest was hot and it took 16 minutes of play for a goal to be scored. Casey came out the better side, dominating the inside 50’s early, but it failed to capitalise, leaving the Seagulls just eight points behind at the first change.

It was an exciting first half with a finals-like feel, as Williamstown looked to cement a top-four spot. The Seagulls gained some momentum late in the first half, pinching a one-point lead by the main break.

From that point on it was all Williamstown, as its midfield got on top, giving the forwards regular supply and blowing the margin out to 29 points by the final siren.

Telling stat
The tackle count may not reflect the result, but it demonstrated the improved output by the Demons from last week. Casey laid 92 tackles to Williamstown’s 68, responding from a poor outing against Box Hill with an increased work rate and desperation around the contest. The result didn’t fall Casey’s way, but it returned to a positive brand of football which was important leading into September.

Disposals
J. Wagner 24, Lockhart 23, C. Wagner 21, Johnstone 20, Stockdale 18, Pedersen 17, White 16, Garlett, McKenna 15.

Goals
Garlett 4, Pedersen 3, Hutchins 2, Lockhart, Lok, Smith.

3 Votes: Jay Lockhart
AFL scouts will be keeping a close eye on Jay Lockhart in the latter stages of the season, and in Casey’s second consecutive televised game, Lockhart showcased his craft. The hard running midfielder had 23 touches and pushed forward to kick a brilliant goal on Saturday and continues to demonstrate why he deserves a chance at the top level.

2 Votes: Tom Freeman
You couldn’t ask for a better start to a career than what Tom Freeman has delivered. The 19-year-old was in the best players for Casey on debut last week against Box Hill, and impressed again on the weekend with his efforts at half-back. Freeman has taken his chance and may have booked himself a VFL final next week.

1 Vote: Dion Johnstone
After spending some time on the sidelines with injury in recent weeks, Dion Johnstone has slotted back into the Casey side well and played one of his best games for the season on Saturday. Johnstone took the kick outs for the Demons and showed off his foot skills, providing class off half-back. He had 20 disposals giving his side plenty of drive and worked hard under pressure all afternoon.

Apologies to
Corey Wagner and Josh Wagner are too of the most reliable players for the Demons every week, regularly gathering the ball through the midfield. But it was Casey’s James Munro who impressed with his sheer determination, constantly throwing his body on the line – as he does every week without fail. Munro lifts his teammates with his spirit and fight and has enjoyed a defensive role later in the season.

With just nine Melbourne-listed players taking the field, Cam Pedersen and Jeff Garlett led the way for the inexperienced side slotting seven goals between them. Their commitment to the VFL was unquestionable and the pair looked dangerous when the ball went forward for Casey.

Good to see
Despite dropping the final two games of the season, if you offered any side a home qualifying final at the start of the year, they would take it. Casey has had a great season, winning 14 of its 18 games – including the famous streak of 12 consecutive victories. Although other results fell the Demons’ way to hand them second place on the ladder, they thoroughly deserved the top-two finish after a great season.

Coach’s say
“When you’re an aligned club you’re at the mercy of the health of your AFL list. We’ve trained our VFL list to be ready for the opportunity when it presents and it has presented at the backend of this year. Some have flourished in the opportunity they have given and some have been found out so we’ve just got to keep working through what our best look is.

“We go into a new season now and look to sharpen up the areas of the game that have served us well this year and see where it takes us.” – Jade Rawlings

Looking ahead
With Geelong falling to Box Hill in the final round of the season, Casey has clung onto second position and will play a home qualifying final against the Cats. If Geelong had have won that game, the Demons would be heading down the highway next week. Instead, it’s Casey vs Geelong at Casey Fields next Saturday at 2:10pm. Full finals info and ticketing details can be found here.