IN THE FIRST round of the VFL for season 2021, Casey has made a statement to the rest of the competition with a 17.16 (118) to 10.7 (67) win over the Box Hill Hawks.

The Demons proved too good for the Hawks at Box Hill City Oval and showcased plenty of promising signs for the season ahead.

The first quarter saw a hot footy early on with each side looking to stamp their authority on the game. The Demons were able to hit the scoreboard first through Toby Bedford, dribbling the ball through the big sticks. 

Box Hill followed by kicking the next two goals of the game before Casey clicked into gear and responded with four majors, taking a 25-point lead into quarter time.

Box Hill started the second term as the better of the two sides, kicking the first goal of the quarter. Casey then found some rhythm to gain control of the game and kicked five of the next six goals for a 43-point lead at the main break. 

Sam Weideman was dangerous up forward, having three goals at half time, while Joel Smith, Aaron vandenBerg and Neville Jetta were the leading possession getters.

Casey came out firing in the second half, adding four goals for the quarter, and didn’t give Box Hill a chance to retaliate on the scoreboard. Weideman took his goal tally to five, while Ben Brown kicked his third. 

The Demons went into the last break with a 66-point buffer, which meant that the game was well and truly theirs.

The final quarter saw Box Hill start to influence the game and scoreboard a little bit more, kicking five goals to Casey’s three. 

Nevertheless, the damage had already been done and the Demons went into cruise mode in the last quarter, despite the improved intensity of the Hawks. 

Jetta was fantastic around the ground all day, showing his class and experience, Aaron vandenBerg and Kade Chandler certainly put their hands up for honourable performances. 

Melbourne Media spoke with senior coach Mark Corrigan after the game about the side’s great start to the season.

“In general, we generated some first use around the footy which gave us some opportunity to get the ball inside forward 50,” he said.

“Our aerial work to mark the ball, if not bring it to the ground, and then have our small forwards really set the tone for the whole team with pressure, winning the contested ball, and their intent and endeavour was outstanding. 

“We played three really strong quarters, which put the game within doubt (for Box Hill), however, we would have liked to have seen our ability continue to play right through the last quarter. 

“All in all though, it was a fantastic performance from the boys.”

The forward duo of Brown and Weideman was certainly a major highlight for Casey and for Melbourne fans – Weideman finished with seven goals and Brown converted three.

“Both Weideman and Brown were fantastic, and at times competing against an extra player that they (Box Hill) put behind the ball,” Corrigan said.

“I thought the guys playing their first games of VFL were really impressive – (Ryan) Sparks, (Luca) Goonan and (George) Grey. These guys looked like they were able to adapt to VFL footy and didn’t get overawed by playing their first game and all contributed well.”

Next week, the Demons take on Richmond at Punt Road as the prelude to the Richmond v Melbourne game at the MCG later on in the evening.

It will be a great matchup for the Dees, who will be looking to test themselves against the best in the business. 

“For us, I feel like if we focus on what we did today and play that way it will go a long way in helping us against Richmond,” Corrigan said. 

“It will be a great contest.” 

Casey Demons           5.3       10.10   14.15   17.16.118
Box Hill                        2.0       4.3       5.3       10.7.67

Goals: 7 Sam Weideman, 3 Ben Brown, 2 Toby Bedford, 2 Fraser Rosman, 1 Ryan Sparks, George Grey, Kade Chandler

Next Game: Round 2 v Richmond @ Swinburne Centre, Saturday 24th April 2021 - 2 pm