The Casey Demons have finished their 2026 VFL season with six wins and 12 losses, with a refreshed and youthful list embracing a new game plan under first-year coach Rhett McLennan.

While the Demons were unable to maintain their early-season form through the back end of the year, there were plenty of promising signs throughout the campaign, with McLennan impressed by the competitiveness of his young group.

“I thought the team showed great promise,” McLennan said. “Given that we had an extremely young side and embracing a new game plan with a new group, to be 50/50 in the win/loss ledger at the midway point of the season was excellent.”

The Demons’ ability to remain competitive throughout games was another positive, leading at quarter time in 15 of their 18 matches and providing a clear indication of the group’s potential heading into next season.

“It was unfortunate that we trailed off at the back end of the year, but to be in front in the second quarter in 15 of our 18 games showed how competitive we were, plus where our improvements can come from can be very achievable in season 2027,” McLennan said.

One of the standout moments of the season came early, when Casey secured an impressive Round 2 victory over Box Hill, who were sitting second on the ladder at the time and ultimately finished third.

More than half of Casey’s side that day were VFL-listed players, making the result particularly pleasing for McLennan and highlighting the quality of the young talent coming through the club and the surrounding region.

“Overall, the fact that every fit player was able to play games this season was pleasing,” he said. “It also showed that the young players from our region can be competitive against the best that the VFL has to offer.”

The development of the VFL-listed group was a key focus throughout the season, with 14 players aged 20 or under representing their regions at VFL level.

While the young Demons were given the opportunity to develop on the field, they were also supported by a number of experienced players who helped guide them throughout their first taste of senior football.

“The VFL experience was made easier with the experience of Riley Bonner, Miller Bergman, Ethan Stanley and Luamon Lual helping the boys every step of the way,” McLennan said.

Several new additions also made an immediate impact, with Bergman, Lual, Stanley and Luis D’Angelo joining the VFL list in 2026.

McLennan was particularly impressed by the efforts of Bergman and D’Angelo, who both overcame significant challenges to establish themselves at VFL level.

“Bergman coming back from 18 months of no footy at all and Luis D’Angelo coming in and playing 17 games off the back of the best part of three years of local footy were both herculean efforts,” he said.

The Casey group also benefited from the experience of its AFL-listed players, with Jake Melksham and Tom McDonald spending almost half the season at VFL level and providing valuable guidance to a young defensive and forward group.

“We were extremely lucky to have experienced players like Jake Melksham and Tom McDonald play almost half a season in the VFL, which gave our young forwards and defenders great confidence to have such wise heads helping them on game day,” McLennan said.

Jack Henderson and Ricky Mentha also produced consistent performances throughout the season, while Aidan Johnson, Luker Kentfield and Paddy Cross each had standout moments.

Mentha, in particular, finished the season strongly after transitioning into a running defender role.

“The back end of the season saw Ricky Mentha come into his own as a running defender, where his ability to find time in tight spaces and use his elusiveness and great foot skills to create possession chains forward time and again,” McLennan said.

For a young side learning a new game plan, the season also provided important lessons about the demands of VFL football.

McLennan identified the physical requirements of the game plan and the need for greater consistency across four quarters as two of the biggest areas of learning for the group.

“The physical demands of playing Melbourne’s game plan requires a high level of fitness and commitment to be able to play it out for four quarters,” he said.

“The other point was how strong we need to stay in the contest for the entire duration of the game. The commitment to be competitive at VFL level is extreme and our players need to be willing to put in the time and effort.”

With a full season of experience behind them, McLennan believes the Demons head into 2027 with a much clearer understanding of what is required to take the next step.

“We go into the preseason for 2027 with many ‘knowns’,” he said.

“We know the game plan, we know the type of player that we need and we have more of an understanding from an AFL list point of view who will be playing VFL.”

With a clearer understanding of the game plan, list requirements and the pathway ahead, the Demons can now turn their attention towards building on the foundations established in McLennan’s first season at the helm.

“From a training programming and a recruiting point of view we can lay out a plan and execute for the upcoming season,” McLennan said.

While the 2026 season provided plenty of challenges, it also laid strong foundations for the future. With valuable experience under their belts, the Demons will look to build on the positives and take another step forward in 2027.