IN what was a cold and windy Good Friday clash at Casey Fields, a strong start from the Magpies was too much to reel in, the Demons conceding their first loss of the 2023 VFLW Premiership season at 3.7 (25) to 6.6 (42).
The Demons started the game on the back foot and had to soak up plenty of pressure early. A strong wind to the far end aided the Collingwood attack and the Casey defenders struggled to cope.
On attack, the Demons struggled to pick out targets and progress the ball upfield, with the opposition’s defence seemingly everywhere.
The likes of Melanie Hogg and Alexandra Kirkwood were impressive around the ball, the duo’s tackling pressure and presence was enough to unsettle the Magpies despite the flying start they had.
Megan Fitzsimon was at her best once again, beginning late in the first quarter to pick up where she left off from the previous week. Fitzsimon began to win the contested ball and break away from the pack before the wind made life difficult.
After a four-goal deficit at the first break, thanks to the helpful wind, Casey was back to its strengths in the second term, despite being unable to hit the scoreboard as frequently as hoped.
However, when the moment came, Ciara Burke stepped up to kick two goals for the quarter and shift the momentum back to the home team.
Alyssa Bannan with a tap down from the contest to a roving Burke was a lovely link-up play for Burke’s second, a show of great football knowledge from both. Casey was down by only 10 points at half-time.
The Demons set up the final quarter for a late charge, after only conceding one goal in the third term to a Collingwood team that had the wind advantage. Inaccuracy in front of goals made the task difficult as time ran down.
Three behinds began the fourth and the Magpies kicking a goal up the non-scoring end made the challenge become out of reach, with Collingwood walking away victors.
Despite the disappointing team result, a number of Demons put together notable individual performances. Fitzsimon continued her stellar form for the full four quarters, amassing 27 disposals, seven tackles and eight clearances.
Marla Neal started quiet against her former side but came away with 17 disposals and six tackles, while Leah Swain put together a strong display in the ruck on her return with 23 hit-outs and seven clearances.
The Demons will regroup this week as they prepare to head north to the NEC hangar to take on Essendon next Sunday.
CASEY: 0.1 (1) 2.4 (16) 2.4 (16) 3.7 (25)
COLLINGWOOD: 4.2 (26) 4.2 (26) 5.6 (36) 6.6 (42)
BEST: Fitzsimon, Burke, Woolcock, Hogg, Bannan
GOALS: 2 Burke, Bannan
DISPOSALS: 27 Fitzsimon, 17 Neal, 15 Swain, 15 Burke, 14 Woolcock
