The Casey Demons have fallen to the Western Bulldogs on a rainy Saturday at Casey Fields going down by 10 points.
Casey Demons 3.2 (20) defeated by Western Bulldogs 4.6 (30).
It was an arm wrestle early as players acclimatised to the wet conditions, it forced to scrap for every possession, it became a battle of territory and sheer will.
The Dogs drew first blood before repeat inside 50s eventually allowed an opportune Alicia Johnson to goal through traffic for the Demons, levelling things up at the first break.
Field position was heavily dominated by the Bulldogs in the second quarter with the Demons’ doughty backline eventually outdone by the Dogs’ pressure, allowing them to consistently score.
A free kick and 50-metre penalty to the Bulldogs to start the third quarter gave them breathing room as Casey toiled for no reward.
Twenty-third player Georgia Howes showed glimpses up forward with a contested mark from the Demons’ only deep entry in the third quarter but was unable to convert.
Down by 20 points at three-quarter time, it was always going to be hard to reel the margin back, but an early Kate Hore goal gave the red and blue belief.
The Dogs were able to hold it in congestion to strangle any hope of a comeback with a Nicole Garner goal in the dying moments making the scoreboard more respectable.
Tyla Hanks was influential through the middle as she fought for every metre in the wet while Lily Mithen also provided run.
It ended up being a lack of consistency and contributors that cost Casey, as it looked potent in stages but couldn’t maintain the rage.
“There’s lots to learn out of today’s game,” co-caption Nicole Garner told Melbourne Media.
“It was very scrappy but we knew the conditions going in, so we’re very frustrated with the outcome.
“We showed glimpses throughout the game that we can play the way we want and need to play, but ten-minute patches don’t get it done.
“Ultimately, now it comes down to us. We’ve got to come together and make positive outcomes happen.”
CASEY DEMONS 1.1 1.2 1.2 3.2 (20)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.1 3.3 4.4 4.6 (30)
CASEY BEST
Birch, Hanks, Clayton, Benvelzen, Mithen
CASEY GOALS
Johnson, Hore, Garner
