CASEY has fallen to Richmond in the wet, suffering a 28-point loss at Holm Park Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
Casey Demons 7.6 (48) defeated by Richmond 11.10 (76).
Overcast conditions in Beaconsfield made for a tight contest early, with a highly contested, scrappy style of play taking place. The Demons failed to compete in the second term and ultimately faced the consequences.
“We were terrible in the first half,” senior coach Justin Plapp told melbournefc.com.au.
“They (Richmond) were pretty good for four quarters, but we were pretty ordinary for a quarter and it cost us.”
With the rain coming and going consistently throughout the afternoon, the Tigers were cleaner with ball in hand and were able to run in numbers on the large oval, creating opportunities in front of goal.
A five-goal second term saw Richmond skip away to a commanding 40-point half-time lead and with rain looming, it was a long way back for the Demons.
“We adjusted some things at half-time,” Plapp said.
“We certainly got the game back on our terms.
“I’m disappointed, make no mistake about it, but I think with where our club is at the moment … it was a respectable loss in the second half.”
Due to injuries at senior level, Casey fielded an inexperienced side, with just three players on the ground who have represented Melbourne this season – Sam Weideman, Jake Spencer and Mitch White.
“We’ve got a lot of young players … and sometimes that can be pretty daunting when you come up against a team who have got 14 AFL blokes in,” Plapp said.
“Our players at times look at that and see it as a negative, until they start playing and competing.”
Basic skill errors and a lack of desperation early in the game let Casey down, albeit under constant pressure from the ferocious Tigers.
Jake Batchelor was a barometer for Richmond off half-back, with Mabior Chol also contributing well in defence.
But it was Jacob Townsend’s 34 disposals and Danko Bzenic’s three goals that really hurt the Demons.
The scrappy affair suited tough onballers, with Ben Kennedy and Corey Maynard fighting hard for Casey, but they were unable to get the Demons over the line.
The greasy ball made for a tight second half, but despite an increased work rate from the Demons, Richmond was able to hold on to secure the four points.
Casey’s flat second quarter proved costly, as it outscored the Tigers by two goals after the half-time break.
“I believe we won the second half convincingly and wasted opportunities too,” Plapp said.
“I don’t think we should have won the game, but I think we should have been closer.
“We had a lot of winners in the second half, but we didn’t have enough in the first half.”
Kennedy continues to be Casey’s most consistent performer this season with another 32 touches.
Former Melbourne skipper Jack Trengove, who has been named emergency for the AFL side in the past two weeks, began the game at half-back, before pushing up the field. Trengove was terrific for the Demons working tirelessly for his 31 disposals.
“Both of them (Kennedy and Trengove) have been in really good form,” Plapp said.
“Our challenge is to keep them up and keep giving them belief.
“They’re both great character kids so they will keep trying.
“I haven’t seen their intensity or their character drop in the whole 15 weeks of the VFL season and I don’t expect it to either.”
Casey’s Bayley Fritsch was the most dangerous forward with clean hands in slippery conditions and he booted two second-half goals.
Dion Johnstone and James Munro were impressive with 12 and 17 tackles respectively in the scrappy contest.
Jay Kennedy-Harris sat the game out in case of a late call-up to the Melbourne side, which takes on Carlton on Sunday afternoon.
The Demons are now sitting around the centre of the table with six wins and six losses heading into their bye next week.
Casey will be looking to mount a run for finals in its last seven games of the season.
“It’s an opportunity to reset,” Plapp said.
“The second half of our year is going to look better with the personnel we have in.
“We could have the possibility of another five or six blokes coming back in after the bye, which gives you better balance.”
RICHMOND 2.5 7.6 9.8 11.10 (76)
CASEY DEMONS 0.1 1.2 3.3 7.7 (48)
CASEY GOALS
Fritsch, Scott 2, Ferreira, Kennedy, Maynard
CASEY BEST
Kennedy, Trengove, Munro, Fritsch, Maynard
