CASEY’S VFLW side put on a show for the crowd on Sunday afternoon, in a double-header at Casey Fields that saw the home side cruise to a 122-point win over Darebin.
In a team littered with AFLW talent, the Demons were able to show their class and difference from the Falcons, coming out of the match comfortable winners at 19.16 (130) to 1.2 (8).
It was a powerful and dominate first quarter which set the tone for the afternoon. Demon India Lehman kicked the first of the game and the pressure continued to amount throughout the term with a flurry of goals coming from Sinead Goldrick, Ciara Burke and Claire Keohane in the space of minutes.
From here, the match was played on the Demons’ terms, with their high-pressure and ability to lock it inside their forward 50 causing headaches for the Falcons.
Casey’s defensive work across the ground was notable as Darebin managed just the nine inside 50’s, in comparison to the Demons' 48.
It was the experienced AFLW talent throughout the home side that contributed significantly to the victory with a number of Melbourne-listed stars shining.
Megan Fitzsimon was best afield with four goals and a handy 21 disposals, while Eliza West also impressed, the ultimate ball-magnet of the day.
The midfielder was dominant in the contest, winning ground balls and bursting her way through the pack as Darebin struggled to contain her, the No.29 the source of nearly everything that was good for Casey.
New recruit Marla Neal was another Demon to shine, her pressure and attack on the ball a standout as she racked up an impressive 13 tackles for the game. Add five clearances and 13 disposals to her performance and Neal produced a complete display of talent.
Burke, who worked across half-back but managed to register three majors, said the group was pleased to see their efforts translated on the scoreboard.
“We used the ground really well, we used our speed really well and the score was a result of that,” Burke told Casey Media post-match.
“Out of our offence, we wanted to really trap them in and go one-on-one and give them no options.
“I think we did that really well.”
Casey finished the afternoon with an emphatic win over Darebin and the ultimate percentage booster, bumping the club to the top of the ladder at a whopping 477.8.
The Demons will look to take this momentum into next Friday night’s game against Collingwood at Casey Fields.
CASEY: 6.5 (41) 9.12 (66) 14.14 (98) 19.16 (130)
DAREBIN: 0.1 (1) 1.1 (7) 1.1 (7) 1.2 (8)
BEST: West, Fitzsimon, Gillard, Goldrick, Neal
GOALS: 4 Fitzsimon, 3 Burke, 3 Bannan, 2 O’Niell, 2 Lehman, 2 Keohane, 1 West, 1 Goldrick, 1 Gall
DISPOSALS: 31 West, 27 Goldrick, 21 Fitzsimon
