The Casey Demons have kicked off their 2025 VFL season with a gritty draw against North Melbourne at Casey Fields, finishing level at 76 apiece after a hard-fought, back-and-forth contest.

Despite dominating large portions of the match, poor conversion in front of goal saw Casey let opportunities slip away early before showing immense heart to claw their way back into the game late in the final term.

Casey hit the ground running in the opening quarter, controlling the first 10 minutes and generating several forward entries. Tom Campbell opened the scoring for the red and blue in his first official outing, and Caleb Lewis followed up with a goal of his own after a clean inside-50 delivery from Riley Bonner.

However, wayward kicking cost the Demons dearly. Despite their control, Casey registered 2.9 for the term, allowing North Melbourne to stay within touching distance with two straight goals of their own.

The second quarter followed a similar script, with Casey again having control but struggling to convert that dominance into scoreboard pressure. North kicked the first goal of the quarter midway through to narrow the margin to one point, and although Casey generated more inside 50s, the Kangaroos defended well and rebounded with efficiency.

North eventually snatched the lead late in the term with a composed set shot, but the Demons hit back immediately through Lewis, who slotted his second after a quick centre clearance, putting the home side back in front by a solitary point at the main break.

The third term proved to be a genuine arm-wrestle, with both sides enjoying patches of momentum. North struck first before Casey responded with back-to-back goals from Tom Fullarton and Harvey Langford. The intensity lifted as both teams traded blows, and by three-quarter time, the scoreboard reflected just how close the contest had become—level at 49 points each. Bonner was prolific across half-back, while Riley Baldi continued to rack up touches in the midfield and provide plenty of drive.

North Melbourne looked to have seized control in the final quarter, bursting out with three unanswered goals to take an 18-point lead. But Casey wasn’t finished yet. Chance Doultree’s first goal of the afternoon gave the Demons a spark, and when Noah Yze nailed his opportunity, the margin was trimmed to six.

The momentum continued to shift, and Tyler Edwards’ superb snap from the boundary line levelled the scores once again. North responded with a goal to regain the lead, but a composed finish from Tom Fullarton—striking from 45 metres output Casey back in front by a single point with just moments to play. North pressed forward to register a behind and again had another shot on goal, but it went out on the full, and the siren sounded soon after, leaving both sides sharing the points in a dramatic finish.

While the team will rue the missed chances, there’s no denying the courage and effort shown by the playing group in the dying stages. To fight back from nearly three goals down and finish with a draw shows plenty of resilience—an effort the coaches and fans can be proud of.

There’s plenty to take from the game and plenty to improve, but with the Gold Coast Suns coming to Casey Fields next week, the focus now shifts to banking four points in front of the home crowd.

Casey Demons 10.16.76 
North Melbourne 11.10.76

Goals: Caleb Lewis 2, Tom Fullarton 2, Tom Campbell, Jesse Craven, Harvey Langford, Chance Doultree, Noah Yze, Tyler Edwards

Disposals: Riley Bonner 35, Riley Baldi 31, Tom Campbell 23, Harvey Langford 22