Mel Hogg is Casey through and through, all because the Demons trusted in her when she needed it most. Now, she’s intent on repaying the faith.

 It’s hard to name many VFLW players tougher than Mel Hogg. Her trademark style is characteristic of the Casey Demons side as it continues its unbeaten run this season. Gut busting runs. Crunching tackles. Getting to the footy first and shovelling it out for teammates to flourish.

And it all wouldn’t have been happening in a Casey jumper if Hogg hadn’t of stumbled upon the Demons when they were preparing for their first season as a VFLW team.  

“I went to a very last-minute try-out in 2018 just a couple of weeks before the season started,” Hogg told Casey Media.

“I didn’t have any expectations, I just wanted to give it a go and see if I was ready for the next step of playing VFLW.”

After the try-out Hogg was one of a few selected to train with the team. In the week leading up to round one she was signed by Casey despite missing the whole pre-season. It was all a nervy time for the young midfielder.

“It was very daunting at the start,” Hogg said.

“I didn’t do a pre-season and just got chucked into the VFLW team to train.”

But since then, Hogg has flourished in the red and blue, having become a core member of the Demons’ side as it sits on top of the VFL ladder halfway through the 2022 season.

It all came so close to not happening for Hogg, who was originally a keen dancer and netball player when growing up. Despite constantly “trying to do any sport possible to get out of class” as a teenager, Casey’s number 45 didn’t take up footy until she tried her hand at school footy in year eight. She then played it all the way through to year 12 and loved it. In the blink of an eye, Hogg stopped dancing and started playing at Seville Ranges Youth Girls Football Club.

“I started playing at Seville when women’s footy wasn’t that well-known, just before it took off,” Hogg said.

“We only played against two other local teams in the area, so I eventually went to a more structured program at Mount Evelyn Football Club.”

The move put Hogg on the trajectory towards VFLW football. Now in the top section of the league’s midfielders with an average of just under 16 disposals per game in 2022, Hogg has established herself as a tough in-and-under player who thrives on winning contested possessions.

But it wasn’t all this way for Hogg. When she first joined Casey, she struggled with confidence before a serious injury left her VFLW career in jeopardy.

“I didn’t start getting games until halfway through my first season at Casey,” Hogg said.

“I’ve had a lot of self-doubt over the years and I’ve had confidence issues, but in 2020 I tore my ACL and was delisted as I was going to miss most of the season.”

Hogg said that out of all years to rupture an ACL, 2020 was the right year to do it because no VFLW games were played. But it wasn’t a time of rest; she had to work hard to convince Casey that she was worth a second chance on the Demons list in 2021. The Casey strength and conditioning team helped Hogg continue her rehabilitation before the coaching staff welcomed her back to contact training at the end of the year.

Hogg said returning to training with the Demons was a mental barrier she had to break through before playing again. But having her presence back at Casey Fields was enough to convince VFLW coach Peter Mercoulia that Hogg deserved a spot on the Demons’ playing list. She’s flourished since.

“From that point in time, I’ve just had a real spurt of confidence,” Hogg said.

“I feel like I can play my own game and play to my strengths, which I haven’t felt over the years.

“I feel like I’ve really developed as a player because of the support of the coaches and the way our team plays, as it makes me feel more comfortable when I’m on the ground.”

Now back as one of the key midfielders of the VFLW side, Hogg is relishing being able to use her strength to win the footy. She said the coaches have been motivating her to continually use her naturally ball-winning ability to set up attacking plays for Casey, with her in-and-under work benefiting the classy players who line up in the middle with Hogg.

However, it isn’t just on-field that Hogg has noticed herself grow. Now one of the more experienced players at Casey, Hogg said she feels like a leader in the group.

“Although I might not have that role in the leadership group, I know the girls do respect and value the things I have to say because I’ve been in the program for some time now,” Hogg said.

“I try to make it light-hearted. I’m in charge of the fines and I’m trying to make it fun and relaxing for everyone because it can be such a stressful environment at times, so it needs a balance.”

It’s paying off in spades for the Demons. Hogg is an integral part of the revamped side that is producing consistent football this season. The midfielder has been at the club since its inception in 2018 and can tell the difference in atmosphere that has descended upon Casey Fields in 2022.

“There’s a real change this season in the way the players are taking on new challenges and the way that we’re playing,” Hogg said.

“It’s a whole different vibe. It’s positive, Pete (Mercoulia) drove his expectations early on and gave us a clear focus for how we would play this season, and the coaching staff have been supporting us so we can love growing as players and people.”

An experienced footballer, even Hogg didn’t expect the Demons to play the way they have in 2022. Following a big loss in their first practice match, Hogg was taken aback when Casey shot off to eight consecutive wins.

But while she’s been enjoying her return to the Demons side, higher honours have been quietly calling at Hogg. With new expansion clubs being added to the AFLW ahead of next season, the midfielder knows it’s now or never if she is to realise her dream of playing at the highest level.

“I’ve always loved playing at VFLW level and I don’t want to be thinking in the future what I could’ve been,” Hogg said.

“This year is the year with the expansion of the AFLW that if I want to get picked up I have to work hard.

“I’ll aim to try and get picked up, but if I don’t then I’m happy knowing I’m loving my time at Casey so far and I’m intent on helping Casey make finals and win its first final this year.”

Regardless of what happens in the latter stages of this year, Hogg will remain grateful to Casey for the faith it has showed in her over the past few years. She says the environment the club has fostered is key to its success, and it’s something that she’ll remember as a highlight of her footy career.

“The support from everyone has been awesome, that connection has been something we’ve driven,” Hogg said.

“It’s such a great environment and it’s a really nice community, it certainly makes the drive out to Casey easier.”