The 2026 VFLW season presented plenty of challenges for the Casey Demons, but for coach Oli Platt, it was also a year that provided a “young and inexperienced playing group with valuable lessons” to take forward.

Following significant changes to the playing list, Casey provided opportunities for 17 debutants to experience VFLW football for the first time. While the results did not reflect the progress made within the group, Platt was pleased to see so many individuals develop throughout the season.

“Despite disappointing performances collectively, so many individuals within our group improved throughout the year and will enter preseason for 2027 armed with the lessons from their first season of state league football,” he said.

Among those to make an impact in their first year of senior football were Lily Snow, Rebecca Fitzpatrick and Bonnie Williams, who each played significant roles throughout the season and demonstrated the potential within Casey’s young group.

Meanwhile, Tylah Burn, Delaney Madigan and Kasey Phillips took significant steps forward, developing both as players and emerging leaders within the team.

The youth and inexperience of the group also presented challenges, with lapses in consistency and process at times. However, there were periods throughout games where Casey showed it could compete strongly against quality opposition, providing glimpses of what the group is capable of.

One of the clearest examples came in Round One, when Casey travelled to Hobart and produced an impressive performance against Tasmania.

“The group was able to show all the work they had done physically, technically and culturally throughout the pre-season,” Platt said. “To do so in a different environment built up to celebrate a significant milestone for the opposition was so impressive, and gave our athletes strong evidence of what they can achieve as a collective.”

While results tested the group throughout the season, Platt believes the way the playing group responded to adversity is something it can be proud of.

“What is so pleasing is that we passed that test and finished the season as we started, a united group that can commit to hard work and development through adversity,” he said.

That connection was an important part of Casey’s season, particularly as the group navigated the challenges that came with a young list and difficult results.

“Our connection was tested significantly this season, and the fact this group was able to endure these challenges will be an element we’ll draw from in 2027,” Platt said.

At the heart of that connection were co-captains Meg MacDonald and Alice Robinson, who continued to lead the group both on and off the field.

Platt praised the pair for the complementary ways they lead, while highlighting the impact they had in creating an environment where their teammates could feel valued.

“Alice and Meg lead very differently yet complement each other's styles so well,” he said. “Both have worked consistently to create a safe environment where players feel valued for their strengths and authenticity.”

“On and off the field our co-captains lived our values throughout a challenging year. So much of our group's future success will be attributed to their unconditional work as leaders this season.”

With the lessons of 2026 now providing a foundation, Casey will look to build greater consistency heading into next season.

“Based on the lessons from this season, our group now has a clear understanding of what is required to compete consistently for eighty minutes at this level,” Platt said.

For Platt, that next step will come through preparation and continuing to strengthen the trust developed within the group.

“That consistency will come from maintaining high standards in our preparation and continuing to build stronger on-field trust from the foundations of off-field connection already within the group.”

With significant individual development already evident across the playing group, there is optimism around what Casey can produce in 2027.

“Our group in 2027 will be driven by the lessons from this season,” Platt said. “We want to build on the significant individual development across the group and turn that into stronger collective performance.”

“This group is committed to approaching that journey with humility and doing the hard work required to build a consistent process together.”