In their final outing of the 2025 season, the Casey Demons were unable to finish on a high, falling to Port Melbourne by 43 points at ETU Stadium.
From the first bounce, it was a fiercely contested battle. Both sides brought relentless pressure, with every kick and handball earned under intense tackling heat. The Dees struck early, slotting the opening goal of the game, but the Borough responded swiftly and steadily built scoreboard pressure as the match wore on.
Despite the growing margin, the Demons never wavered in their effort. Their intent, attack on the contest, and willingness to compete reflected the spirit they’ve shown all season. Ultimately, however, they couldn’t match Port Melbourne’s consistency across four quarters.
While the result wasn’t what they’d hoped for, the performance was a fitting reflection of a year defined by grit and determination—qualities that remained evident until the final siren.
Amid the tough result, several Demons stood tall with standout performances that showcased their resilience and impact on the contest.
Olivia Morris was prominent in the midfield recording 18 disposals. Laying a game high 14 tackles, her pressure at the contest was immense.
Zahri Burn impressed in the ruck, showcasing her athleticism and presence around the ground. She finished the match with an impressive 28 hitouts.
In the backline, Kasey Phillips was a steady presence, standing tall in multiple one-on-one contests and providing crucial resistance under pressure. Her composure and competitiveness were on full display as she finished with 15 disposals, consistently helping to repel Port Melbourne’s forward entries.
Jessica Pacevski also made her mark defensively, applying relentless pressure across the ground and laying 10 tackles. This helped to disrupt the Borough’s attacking momentum and kept the Dees in the contest for as long as possible.
Alice Robinson’s strength and marking ability up forward were clear highlights of the game. With a goal to her name, her work rate and intent made her one of Casey’s most dangerous targets inside the forward half.
Sarah D’Arcy’s tackling pressure was rewarded in the second half when she earned a holding-the-ball free kick and converted truly in front of goal. Her physicality and forward pressure were constant, forcing errors and keeping the Port Melbourne defence on edge.
The scoreboard may not have told the full story, but the Dees’ heart, resilience, and spirit across the 2025 VFLW season was undeniable. It has laid a strong foundation for what’s to come as the group continues to grow and build towards an even stronger campaign next year.
PORT MELBOURNE 2.2 3.6 4.9 8.13 (61)
CASEY DEMONS 1.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 (18)
GOALS
Port Melbourne: Wilson (1), Williams (1), Seton (1), Robson (1), Harley (1), Denahy Maloney (1), Bromage (1), Adams (1)
Casey: Robinson (1), Hammans (1), D'Arcy (1)
DISPOSALS
Port Melbourne: Ashley-Cooper (20), Caffry (19), Williams (17)
Casey: Morris (18), Phillips (15), Mitchell (15)
