CASEY has recorded a sensational 10-point win over Sandringham on the back of a gutsy second-half performance at Trevor Barker Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Casey Demons 14.9 (93) defeated Sandringham 12.11 (83).
The hurling breeze had a substantial effect on a seesawing affair, with the majority of the game being fought out at one end of the field.
But against the odds and the wind in the final-term, Casey dug deep to over come a 28-point half-time deficit, incredibly taking home the four-points.
“It was one of the best results I’ve ever been involved in,” senior coach Justin Plapp told melbournefc.com.au.
“For us to be able to stick at it and dig in when it counted.
“There was nothing pretty about it … but it was a bit of grit, and [winning] critical contests.”
Casey vice-captain Angus Scott was prolific when the game was on the line in the last-quarter, as his third goal handed the Demons a three-point lead at the 24-minute mark.
It was then up to Alloysio Ferreira to mark and goal in the dying stages, ultimately sealing the win.
In a stunning team display, Plapp was most impressed by the “togetherness” of his group.
“We found a way,” he said.
Angus Brayshaw was brilliant for the Demons, showing the flare which fans have come to expect from the young star. He tackled with strength and hunted the ball for 34 disposals, standing up when required at the death.
“You can see why he’s a number three draft pick, that’s what I’ve seen today,” Plapp said.
“He was extraordinary.”
With the inclusion of Jack Trengove and Jay Kennedy-Harris, a bolstered Casey midfield was on top early.
But with the assistance of the wind, St Kilda’s Jack Lonie helped shift the momentum in a rampant second-term, kicking two of the Zebras seven goal’s in the period.
Sandringham’s Ben long was reported for a late hit on Mitch Gent in the third-quarter, which handed a down-field free kick to Sam Weideman. When Weideman slotted the Demons third consecutive goal from beyond the arc in the space of four minutes, the scores were tied.
Despite being challenged late; it was a scintillating team effort which got Casey over the line.
Joel Smith’s iconic leap was his downfall in the opening term, flying high in the air and landing awkwardly to suffer a horrific knee injury.
In devastating circumstances, there are fears Smith has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.
“It looks that way,” Plapp said.
In the same marking contest, James Munro dislocated his shoulder.
By half-time, the Demons were three men down, with Jake Spencer succumbing to a rib injury.
“They were three pretty significant injuries,” Plapp said.
The out of action bench made Casey’s second-half run all the more impressive.
Without Spencer’s presence in the ruck, 20-year-old Mitch King stood up and competed manfully against Tom Hickey.
Kennedy-Harris and Ben Kennedy were both significant in the middle with 39 and 33 disposals respectively.
“I challenged those boys pretty strongly at half time,” Plapp said.
“They stood up when we needed them to.”
Reliable defensive duo Declan Keilty and Jack Hutchins stood tall while under constant duress, before Keilty was swung forward to provide a chop out for the out-numbered Weideman.
The stretcher was called for again in the second half, before the St Kilda-listed Nathan Wright limped from the field in the hands of trainers.
Josh Wagner was named as travelling emergency for Melbourne’s clash against GWS, therefore didn’t take the field.
The Demons will return home to Casey Fields to play out their remaining three games this season. Next Saturday afternoon they will be bidding for redemption against the Northern Blues, after suffering a 55-point loss to them in round five.
“We’re dealing with every week as it comes at the moment,” Plapp said.
“We’ve got a really good bunch of characters that are here for the right reasons.
“It was a really good reward for them today, but bigger and better things for them now to keep striving for.”
SANDRINGHAM 1.0 8.7 10.8 12.11 (83)
CASEY DEMONS 3.3 4.3 10.7 14.9 (93)
CASEY GOALS
Fritsch, Scott 3, Munro, Kennedy, Hulett, Keilty, Giobbi, Collis, Weideman, Ferreira
CASEY BEST
Brayshaw, Scott, Kennedy, Kennedy-Harris, Fritsch, Keilty
