CASEY’S women’s team has gone down by 33 points against Collingwood in its final game of the VFLW season on Saturday afternoon.
With the sun shining at Casey Fields, the Demons fought gallantly, but were outclassed by the minor premiers.
Casey Demons 4.5 (29) defeated by Collingwood 9.8 (62).
A late third quarter goal to Collingwood’s Jaimee Lambert handed the Magpies an 11-point buffer at the final change, but the game was still on the line.
With just a slender margin separating the two sides, Collingwood lifted to show why it is sitting atop of the the ladder, running away to an impressive win.
The Magpies kept the Demons scoreless in the final 20 minutes of play, while piling on three goals at the other end of the field.
Casey continued to work hard, but the Pies pressure lifted when it had to, allowing them to register seven scoring shots in the final quarter.
As Collingwood pushed clear of the Demons, young gun Ruby Schleicher sealed its victory with her second major for the afternoon.
The polished Magpie outfit enjoyed the dry ball, moving it efficiently and pressing forward to boot two early goals in the first term, but it was evident that Casey was up for the fight.
Maddie Shevlin was the Demons first goal scorer for the third consecutive week, pushing forward and snapping the ball through to draw her side within eight points at quarter-time.
A 50-metre penalty gave Casey the dream start to the second term, with Shelley Scott benefiting from the decision to slot the opening goal.
But as the game tightened up, Collingwood’s star players began to get involved, with Lambert and Schleicher each booting their first of two goals to extend its lead.
Although it looked like the Magpies had all the momentum, Bianca Jakobsson became the second Demon in the period to goal from a 50-metre penalty, and she cut the margin to just five points by half-time.
The 50-metre penalty trend continued in the second half, with Collingwood’s Chloe Molloy rewarded to give the Magpies some breathing space early in the third quarter.
Casey responded to the challenge yet again, with 19-year-old Sophie Phillips booting a timely goal in one of her best games of the season, as the Demons refused to go away.
But they couldn’t deny the Pies at the other end, unable to hit the lead at any stage.
The Magpies eventually broke clear to secure top-spot on the VFLW ladder, but it was a gallant effort from the Demons.
Casey’s spirit was high as they challenged the best side in the league, tackling hard and contesting until the final siren.
The Demons have concluded their season with five wins from 14 games, but they continued to develop in 2018 and will take plenty of positives out of their debut year in the competition.
CASEY DEMONS 1.1 3.4 4.5 4.5 (29)
COLLINGWOOD 2.3 4.3 6.4 9.8 (62)
CASEY GOALS
Jakobsson, Phillips, Scott, Shevlin
