CASEY has made it 11 consecutive victories this season after demolishing the Northern Blues by 91 points at Casey Fields on Saturday afternoon.
Casey Demons 20.9 (129) defeated Northern Blues 5.8 (38).
With the wind howling to one end of the field, the Demons capitalised in the first term putting the game to bed by quarter-time.
In a dominant display which saw the scoreless Blues enter their forward 50 on just two occasions, Casey slotted eight unanswered goals to lead by 53 points.
“The way we went about it was impressive and the scoreboard was a bonus,” senior coach Jade Rawlings told Melbourne Media.
“With such a strong wind going one way we knew we had to maximise it and I thought we learned from previous experiences about how to use it better going inside 50 and how the ground should look.”
The Blues showed some resistance in the second quarter with the support of the breeze to kick four goals, but the pressure was relieved when Corey Wagner received two 50-metre penalties and kicked truly just prior to half-time.
Wagner continues to show he’s got AFL credentials racking up 27 disposals running through the middle and slotting four goals.
“He was sensational, he’s had a great year,” Rawlings said.
“The thing I like most about Corey is the amount of time he puts into his game week to week and I’m not shocked he’s performing the way he has.
“It means a lot to him to play well for Casey and he’s starting to have a real impact on the competition.”
Once Casey won the ball in tight it was able to move the ball with ease and as a result of the lack of pressure, the Demons created some simple scoring shots, converting 20 goals.
Casey showed its class after half-time kicking nine consecutive goals as the game lost its intensity.
When the Blues made a rare foray forward, Cam Pedersen was there to intercept taking 12 marks and finding the ball on 31 occasions.
“He’s put together a month of really good footy,” Rawlings said.
“Understanding how to defend opponent, when he can go and mark it, how he uses the footy and what the expectations are behind the ball.”
A bolstered Casey outfit benefited from some handy inclusions, with Dion Johnstone, Mitch Hannan, Jayden Hunt, Mitch King, Harry Petty, Josh Wagner and Mitch White all returning for the Demons.
But unfortunately for King, his day didn’t last long, as the ruckman succumbed to a knee injury in the first half.
“We don’t know the severity of it,” Rawlings said.
“He looked a bit lame when he came off but he’s to be assessed.”
Oskar Baker also pulled up sore in the third term and failed to re-emerge after feeling tightness in his hamstring.
Casey will remain at home next Saturday as it takes on Sandringham in its third-last game for the season.
CASEY DEMONS 8.5 11.5 16.7 20.9 (129)
NORTHERN BLUES 0.0 4.2 4.4 5.8 (38)
CASEY GOALS
C Wagner 4, White 3, Lockhart, Keilty, Machaya, Weideman 2, Baker, Gent, McKenna, Pedersen, Stockdale
CASEY BEST
C Wagner, Lockhart, Pedersen, Machaya, Keilty, White
