ON A SUPERB day for football, in what would almost be near perfect conditions out at Casey Fields, the Casey Demons just fell short of a comeback victory against Essendon in their first VFLW home game for season 2021.

The Demons had to work hard to get back into the match, as they let the Bombers run rampage in the first quarter with five scoring shots to Casey’s none and taking a 10-point lead. 

“We were definitely flat-footed in the first quarter and the coaches’ message was to lift the standard,” vice-captain Grace Buchan told Melbourne Media after the disappointing loss.

“We weren’t competing, we weren’t attacking, we were behind the ball, and very sleepy. 

“They (the coaches) definitely gave us a few tough words, and that made us lift our intent a bit more and physicality as well, so we could compete (with the Bombers).”

After the quarter-time break, it was a different Casey side.

The Demons showed possibilities of being able to work their way back into the game, with five scoring shots to Essendon’s one and reducing the margin back to a goal at the main break. 

“I think we started to change lanes a bit more going into the second quarter, as well as adapting to their set up around the ball and midfield,” Buchan said.

“We started to read their play but also started to attack a bit more in the midfield, which helped us execute into the forward line.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t convert that into goals, but I still think that we improved each quarter on what we were meant to do.”

The third quarter saw the Demons draw level with the Bombers for the first time during the match before Essendon took control of the quarter with some effective rebound play. 

The Bombers inaccuracy in front of goal though kept Casey in the hunt, trailing by nine points going into the last quarter.

Even at the 10-minute mark of the final quarter, a come from behind victory still seemed very much on the cards, as the Demons scored a goal through Megan Fitzsimon, reducing the margin to a three-point ball game. 

But it just wasn’t meant to be.

The Bombers replied with a goal of their own giving themselves some breathing space and the four points at the end of the game.

Speaking to senior coach Peter Mercoulia post-game, he had nothing but admiration for the opposition and the way they went about their business.

“Credit to Essendon, they just out-hunted us at the contest, they were a lot more physical and cleaner at ground level, and they held better shape throughout the day,” he told Melbourne Media.

“I thought our girls, to their credit, showed glimpses, but at this level, you can’t show glimpses.

“You need consistency in effort, you need consistency in physicality, you need consistency in skill execution, and Essendon out-played us in all those three areas today.”

Young defender Emma Horne was named amongst the best for the game for a second week in a row, certainly cementing her place in the backline. 

“Emma was fantastic,” Mercoulia said.

“She just showed that level of consistency and physicality, ground-level fundamentals and skill execution throughout the day.

“I thought she stuck to her task really well down back, playing on a number of different players, and her back shoulder defence was really strong.

“We were really good behind the ball because of her for the majority of the day.”

In what is a disappointing loss for the Demons, they now have the chance to regroup, improve and take their learnings into round three next Saturday.

Casey Demons           0.0       1.4       2.4       3.4.22
Essendon                    1.4       2.4       3.7       4.7.31

Goals: Megan Fitzsimon, Eliza West, Imogen Milford

Best: Emma Horne, Maggie Caris, Eliza West, Tahlia Fellows, Harmony Thomas, Caitlin Conroy