CASEY has overcome a gallant Sandringham to record a gutsy 21-point win at Casey Fields on Saturday afternoon.
The Demons had to pull out all stocks to shake the Zebras, and after scores were tied up at three quarter-time, Casey kicked three final quarter goals to run out victors.
Casey Demons 10.15 (75) to Sandringham 8.6 (54).
But the win was soured by Melbourne veteran Bernie Vince’s shoulder injury in the first term.
After just 20 minutes of play, Vince was involved in a heavy collision which saw him leave the field cradling a dislocated shoulder.
The 32-year-old was left out of Melbourne’s side this weekend and took to the field in the VFL for just the second time this season, before suffering an injury which could put his immediate playing future in doubt.
“I’m not sure the full details of it,” senior coach Jade Rawlings told Melbourne Media.
“It was a good contest, he put his body on the line … and it’s just one of those things can happen in footy.
“It’s unfortunate because his attitude was great about playing down here this week.”
Casey’s day was off to a shocking start all-round, as the Demons trailed by 22 points at the first change.
The goalless opening term was an indication of Casey’s sloppy performance, as the Zebras ran harder across the field and moved the ball well.
“We just got taught a lesson on how to work from contest to contest by Sandringham,” Rawlings said.
“[Sandringham] were cleaner and they ran harder.
“I was really disappointed with our first quarter.
“But our capacity to respond is what I love about this group.”
After a stern word from Rawlings during the first break, Casey resurrected the game and helped itself to a 12th consecutive victory.
“Once again we responded and got ourselves back into the game,” Rawlings said.
“We started getting over the ball quicker and we were cleaner.
“The fundamental elements of our game style came back to us in the second quarter purely off attitude and work ethic.”
But just when it looked like the Demons would cruise to victory, Sandringham fired back with three of the first four goals in the third term to lead by 15 points.
Cory Machaya helped keep Casey alive in the second half with his clean hands in scrappy conditions, as he booted a crucial goal to level the game at the final change.
After 13 minutes of attack, the Demons finally hit the scoreboard in the final quarter with Sam Weideman kicking truly before Dean Kent slotted his third goal to steer Casey home.
It was a powerful finish by Casey keeping the Zebras scoreless in the last term.
“There were some actions in the last quarter that give you the belief that you will be stiff to lose,” Rawlings said.
“One thing we’ve been conditioned with is about how to play four quarters this year.
“We like to go to the line and I was really pleased with how we were able to put a little gap on them by the end because it was a tough game.”
The Demons skipper Jack Hutchins was the standout for his side, defending desperately in defence, while Tim Smith was imposing up the other end of the field but was unable to convert his good work in front of goal.
Casey will play its final away game for the season next Saturday when it takes on the Box Hill Hawks at Box Hill City Oval.
CASEY DEMONS 0.3 4.8 7.12 10.15 (75)
SANDRINGHAM 4.1 5.5 8.6 8.6 (54)
CASEY GOALS
Kent 3, Weideman 2, Freeman, King, Machaya, Smith, Stephenson
CASEY BEST
Hutchins, Bugg, Lockhart, Keilty, Weideman, Machaya, Kent
