If the VFL needed another warning of Casey’s ability, the Demons showed just how damaging they can be with a 47-point win over Sydney.
The catalyst of the win was a stunning seven goal to one third term, where the Demons blew away the Swans, before eventually running out 14.15 (99) to 7.10 (52) victors.
Many Demons shone in a dominant third quarter on a beautiful day at Casey Fields, but none were better than Luke Dunstan.
The Melbourne midfielder continued his stellar campaign, kicking two brilliant goals in the premiership term and amassing 38 disposals for the match to ensure Casey won its Qualifying Final.
Luke Dunstan is having a huge third term!
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Casey coach Mark Corrigan said the third term and Dunstan’s performance in the midfield were scintillating.
“The midfield looked to have great synergy and were able to give us great looks and help our pressure be outstanding,” Corrigan told Casey Media. “They had some pure and clean exits. I thought they were the catalyst for setting the trend of how that quarter played out.”
Dunstan’s first goal sparked the avalanche, while a classy rove off a boundary throw in and snap later in the term deflated the Swans.
After falling for the first time to Brisbane last week, the Demons were looking to make amends.
Jimmy Munro lit the spark with a wonderful set shot goal from beyond the 50-metre arc to get the packed Casey Fields crowd roaring, before Mitch Brown kicked the first of his five goals with a great contested mark and set shot.
Jimmy Munro kickstarts the @CaseyDemonsFC 💪
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When Tom McDonald celebrated his return from a long injury lay-off with a set shot goal, the Demons went into the first break with a 15-point lead.
The Swans hit back in the second quarter as Casey butchered its shots at goal to register an inaccurate four goals nine behinds at the main break, as Brown’s second major ensured the Demons took a 17-point lead into the main break.
With the likes of Dunstan and captain Mitch White (25 touches) controlling the midfield, the Swans were hanging in early in the third term.
Alongside Munro (15 disposals, two goals), the trio once again proved their quality on the big stage.
After the Swans kicked the first goal of the third term, the Demons broke through courtesy of a classy Dunstan snap goal in traffic.
Dunstan’s major started the onslaught, with George Grey intercepting to kick another quick goal before Munro’s second trough a barnstorming running goal brought the crowd to its feet.
"Casey is on a roll" 😈 pic.twitter.com/e9c9jLeOLy
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Jacob van Rooyen was once again pivotal, as he and Brown shone in a third quarter combo that broke Sydney’s spirit.
Van Rooyen kicked the goal of the day, taking a hanger in the pocket and then converting his snap set shot to continue the pile-on of Casey goals.
That mark + the finish = elite 👏 pic.twitter.com/Pljo0L4lpK
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Brown followed with another two contested marks and goals, while Dunstan’s second gave the Demons a 52-point lead at the final break.
Having broken the Swans’ spirit in a rampant third term, Kade Chandler kept Casey’s momentum going with an early crumbing goal to extend the margin, before following up with another classy finish.
Corrigan was quick to mention Sam Weideman (22 disposals) was also superb, as he took on the lead rucking duties and performed wonderfully against Sydney’s strong tall brigade.
“All credit to him – he was given a different role during the week and to come out and impact the game that way, he had 10 hit-outs to advantage, was outstanding,” Corrigan said. “Also his ability to help around the ground, get after it, his ability to change his role within the team was influential.”
It was a wonderful day at Casey Fields, as Corrigan said win was another rewarding performance that proved Casey’s best is too hot for some of its fellow VFL premiership contenders.
“Last week we were off and not quite playing our brand of football so the most pleasing part was the response,” Corrigan said. “The players came out and allayed those fears quickly with their work in the contest and ability to defend.”
CASEY 3.5 4.9 11.12 14.15 (99)
SYDNEY 1.2 2.4 3.8 7.10 (52)
GOALS: Brown 5, Munro, Dunstan, Chandler 2, McDonald, Grey, van Rooyen
DISPOSALS: Dunstan 38, White 25, Tomlinson, Weideman 22, Brown 18
BEST: Dunstan, Brown, White, Weideman, Buntine, Munro, van Rooyen, Tomlinson