CASEY has extended its winning streak to three matches following a 19-point victory over Collingwood at Casey Fields on Saturday afternoon.
Casey Demons 15.12 (102) defeated Collingwood 13.5 (83).
After sustaining an AC-joint injury to his right shoulder against Richmond on ANZAC Day Eve, Jake Spencer made his long-awaited return to the field. Spencer had stepped up to AFL following Max Gawn’s hamstring strain, but had no luck, succumbing to injury in just his second game for Melbourne this season.
The 203cm ruckman had an even dual with Magpies rookie Mitch McCarthy, and ran out the game well.
“He showed some really positive signs,” senior coach Justin Plapp told melbournefc.com.au.
“I thought his ruck work was pretty solid and his contest was pretty solid. It just gives the club another option around the tall part of the game.”
In a precursor to Monday’s Queen’s Birthday clash between Melbourne and Collingwood, the Demons drew first blood on the long weekend, running past the Pies in their VFL match-up.
But Casey didn’t pull on the traditional red and blue guernsey. Instead, it wore the old Springvale Scorpions’ strip in recognition of the club’s history, celebrating premierships won in 1977 and 1987.
American giant Mason Cox got the Pies off to a spritely start, booting his side’s first two majors. He caused havoc inside forward 50. At 211cm, Cox’s height was difficult for Casey to combat and he posed the biggest threat on the field.
But when he walked out of the rooms in his track suit after the main break, the Demons breathed a sigh of relief, as the big man was rested for the remainder of the game.
It was Casey’s niggling defender James Munro, who got under the skin of Kayle Kirby in the second term. Two fierce brawls in the space of three minutes handed the Demons two free kicks, which were both converted into goals on the rebound and help swing the momentum.
“The game was set up in the first half … around our ability to make the game a contest,” Plapp said.
Three consecutive goals saw the Demons take a 22-point lead into half-time, and despite a late challenge from the Pies, they held on for a decisive victory.
“There was some stuff we didn’t like in the last quarter, but to the players’ credit, they were able to get it done and we’ll take the win,” Plapp said.
Ex-Docker Chris Mayne took a brilliant flying mark in the dying stages of the game, but his four goals weren’t enough to see his side over the line.
Bayley Fritsch returned to the Casey side and delivered the goods yet again, with three goals in a lively performance. His spark at half-forward is of great value, with AFL scouts expected to sound him out later in the season.
Josh Wagner took to the field, after featuring for Melbourne in its last match against the Suns, and showed the class, which has seen him play the past four AFL games.
“His ball use was really good, and his intercept marking was very, very good,” Plapp said.
“He looked like an AFL player out there today.”
Billy Stretch grew as the game wore on with 21 crafty touches and two goals.
“He’s been very consistent over a number of weeks, and I would think he’s in a position now where he puts himself back into senior selection,” Plapp said.
Also, continuing his fine form, Ben Kennedy had another 30 disposals. He has been finding the ball consistently all season and is relishing with extended time in the middle.
Jack Trengove was also important, setting up play with his 19 touches.
After a quiet first half, Dean Kent had 11 disposals in each of the final two quarters and added two goals to contribute for Casey.
Starting in the centre, after his 47-disposal display last outing, Jay Kennedy-Harris played with confidence early, showing a willingness to win the contested ball. He had 14 touches to half-time, before sitting out the rest of the game in case of a late call up on Queen’s Birthday.
Sam Weideman was the most dangerous Demon forward. He had clean hands at ground level and presented well around the ground. He also hit the scoreboard with two goals in an impressive effort.
On a sour note, Tim Smith went down with a foot injury in his second game back from a stint on the sidelines.
“It’s a worry and it’s disappointing, but we’ll cover him,” Plapp said.
Next week, Casey will play back-to-back games at home for the first time in 2017, up against Footscray on Saturday night.
“The next three weeks are really important games for us,” Plapp said.
“We come up against three teams who are sitting top four, so we need to get some things right around structure and the way we want to play the game.
“It’s encouraging, we’ve had three wins, but we want to keep going now.”
CASEY DEMONS 4.4 8.8 13.11 15.12 (102)
COLLINGWOOD 3.1 5.4 8.5 13.5 (83)
CASEY GOALS
Fritsch 3, Stretch, Kent, Weideman 2, Lewis-Smith, Maynard, Smith, Trengove, Johnstone, Wagner
CASEY BEST
Kennedy, Wagner, Stretch, Fritsch, Trengove
