The Casey Demons VFLW side dropped their first game in four matches on Saturday, going down to Carlton in slippery and windy conditions at Casey Fields. 

Casey arrived at Round 11 with four wins on the trot and looking to extend it to five. Carlton, on the other hand, had not won a game since round five, despite a few close losses including pushing Port Melbourne within six points. 

It’s not the first time these sides have met – back in round one, the Demons got the better of the Blues with a six-goal win after a second-half blitz. 

The first quarter saw the Demons get off to a good start. Casey Sherriff kicked the first goal of the game and the group looked to be in control early, helped by across the ground wind blowing to the Berwick-Cranbourne Road end. 

Sherriff then chimed in for her second goal and Isabella Simmons kicked one late in the quarter for Casey to be up by 21 points at the first break. 

In the second quarter, the game was reversed with Carlton doing all the attacking. Casey was unable to control the ball and some poor skill errors meant that the Blues were able to capitalise putting through three goals of their own. 

The Demons defence was working overtime with Libby Birch, Eliza McNamara and Alison Brown doing what they could and managed to hold onto a two-point lead at the main break. 

It was a scrappy game of football in the third quarter. Casey dominated the play but again weren’t clean with the ball, while Carlton contested everything and made it hard going for the Demons. 

Casey certainly had a few chances late in the quarter to put some scoreboard pressure on but could only manage minor scores. Going into the last quarter, Casey only held a four-point lead.

The final term saw an energised Blues outfit that was full of run and carry, playing on at all costs. Carlton had Casey in its sights, hunting down the ball and kicking two goals in succession, placing doubt in the Demons’ minds. 

The Blues finished off the game with another two goals to run away with a 26-point win. 

“We were disappointed with the end result and some of our execution,” midfield coach Tamara Hyett said when speaking with Melbourne Media post-game.

“We’ve been travelling along really well, and you end up as the hunted and we didn’t handle it very well.”

Whilst the end result didn’t go the Demons’ way, Hyett did take some positives from the game.

“Whilst disappointed in the end we certainly have plenty of opportunities to learn from,” she said.

“In the first half, we were really good at the little things we wanted to do. 

“That’s doing the fundamentals, using speed on the outside and driving our legs forward, and creating lots of scoring opportunities.

“We probably went away from that in the second half, we weren’t as brave with our ball use and went into our shell. 

“Then the congestion ending up working in Carlton’s favour during that second half.”

Next week the Demons take on Port Melbourne at home in their return bout. It was only four weeks ago that these sides met when Casey ended the Borough’s unbeaten run with a 41-point victory. 

Casey Demons          3.3       3.5       3.7       3.7.25
Carlton                                   0.0       3.3       3.3       8.3.51

Goals: Meg MacDonald, Casey Sherriff, Isabella Simmons

Best: Casey Sherriff, Libby Birch, Eliza McNamara, Sammie Johnson, Alison Brown, Meg MacDonald

Next Game: Home V Port Melbourne Saturday 22nd May @ 10:30 am