Casey has found itself back on the winner’s list after dismantling a young Kangaroos outfit last Saturday out at Casey Fields.
The Demons were on the ball from the get-go, with unrelenting pressure when hunting the ball, and never giving North Melbourne a chance early on in the game.
It was even more crucial that the Demons had a good start this game, compared to last week’s against Essendon, as wet conditions settled in for the second half of the match.
Melbourne Media spoke with Assistant VFLW coach Ben Fridgy post-match about the differences in the performance from last week.
“I think it was the basic fundamentals that we identified from last week, so being clean on the ground and making sure we're staying connected across all lines, allowed us the opportunity to bring the ball forward and then ultimately kick nine goals today, which was very pleasing from us,” he said.
“It definitely started in the midfield though, with players willing to put their bodies on the line, laying a lot of tackles, especially led by our captain, Sammy Johnson.
“She was able to bring the ball forward and then gave our forwards the best opportunity to get the score on the board.
“Along with Sammy leading for the day was Grace Buchan. I think they led well from a leadership point of view, but then you look down back at Catie Conroy’s performance, and up forward Niamh McEvoy showcased her skill as well.
“It was hard to pick out certain individuals, but those four probably led the way for the rest of the side on the day.”
Casey found itself in a commanding lead by 18 points at quarter-time, which held them in good stead with both sides not scoring any goals during the second quarter, but both certainly having chances.
It was in the third term, when the Demons really excelled, with a five-goal quarter whilst keeping North Melbourne scoreless.
McEvoy was brilliant in front of goals, kicking two of her three for the day and proving to be a handful for the North defence.
In the last quarter, it seemed that the rain really affected the skill levels of both sides, as they slogged it out until the end.
Casey continued their dominance for the match with four scoring shots to the Kangaroos’ two.
Casey Demons midfielder Ally Kirkwood was more than impressed with her side’s win when talking.
“We just played as a team and we were connected the entire time, and when we do that and we play with effort, we absolutely play the Casey way,” she said.
“We get wins like that against North, we're happy and everyone's communicating and it's just awesome.
“That's the most important thing for us to be able to play the way we did today.”
It was a stark turnaround from last week’s game against the Bombers with Casey looking in control the entire game. Kirkwood expanded on some of the focuses during the week.
“Monday was a big tackling session. We just focused on that and becoming fearless and taking that contact, being physical out on the field, making sure that other teams fear us,” she said.
“That was probably the big takeaway from the game against the Bombers, and we came out with that today and focus as well, so that's probably a big one.”
The Demons will now take on the Southern Saints back at Casey Fields this Sunday at 10:30 am.
The Saints, after a terrific round one win over Essendon, have struggled to find some form losing their last two to Collingwood and Geelong.
But it will be a tough ask against a determined Demons outfit at home.
Casey Demons 3.2 3.5 8.8 9.11.65
North Melbourne 0.2 0.5 0.5 1.6.12
Goals: Niamh McEvoy 3, Chantel Emonson 2, Imogen Milford, Harmony Thomas, Eliza West, Ally Kirkwood
Best: Sammy Johnson, Chantel Emonson, Niamh McEvoy, Eliza West, Caitlin Conroy, Sharee Fairchild
