CASEY has fallen to Geelong by 36 points in a tough battle at Simonds Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Geelong 14.8 (92) defeated Casey 8.8 (56).
Injuries at AFL level tested the Demons depth and despite their work rate, they were out classed by the Cats in the second half.
“We’ve got players who are ready to step in and play a role when they are needed to, but I felt today in getting an even number of contributors, we were really poor,” senior coach Justin Plapp told melbournefc.com.au.
Plapp didn’t consider Melbourne’s injury woes as a factor in the loss, as “a lot of the things that cost us today were things the players could control.”
A defensive opening quarter saw both sides attempting to control possession, with the Demons taking a minor four-point lead into the first change.
The tight tussle continued in the second term, with the majority of contests being fought out between the arcs.
Geelong struck the post on three occasions early in the match, restricting their lead to just four points at half-time.
But the Cats came out stronger after the main break, converting their efforts onto the scoreboard with a six goal third term.
Geelong’s pace and class was too much for Casey to handle as they opened up a match winning 20-point lead at the final break.
The Cats asserted their dominance in the last quarter, as skipper for the day Tom Atkins led the siege with two goals.
Due to a lack of tall forward options, the Demons were forced to run the ball inside 50 when given the chance. But constant pressure from Geelong restricted the Demons opportunities.
On the back of injuries to Max Gawn and Jake Spencer at senior level, Mitch King was left to shoulder the ruck duties for Casey. The 200 centimetre 20-year-old had a daunting task facing up against Geelong’s Rhys Stanley.
“I thought he competed manfully,” Plapp said, “but we were looking for a little bit more output in other areas of his game.”
Stanley had the better of the dual, taking 12 marks and pushing forward to kick three goals.
Unfortunately, back-up ruckman Declan Keilty copped a head knock in the first half and didn’t reappear as the medical staff took precaution on the matter.
The Demons attempted to give King a chop out with Jack Hutchins, Jack Trengove, James Harmes and Corey Maynard all competing in the ruck on occasion. But the Cats had 36 more hit outs as expected in testing circumstances for Casey.
Wylie Buzza was another tall target for Geelong, as the 198cm forward was tough to combat. Buzza kicked the first of his two goals on the half-time siren and helped swing the momentum of the match.
After an interrupted start to the season, Josh Wagner made an impressive return from a thumb injury sustained in a VFL practice match.
“He played with intensity, I thought his aerial stuff was very strong, he made good decisions and he’s only going to get better,” Plapp said.
Trengove got off to a flyer with 13 disposals in the first term, but was well held by Geelong’s midfield in the second. Trengove continued to work hard and win the ball in the middle, collecting 29 touches for the match.
Dean Kent competed well up forward early and provided run through the middle when pushing up the ground. He booted the first goal of the match and spent the majority of the second half in the centre to collect 22 disposals.
After his omission from the Melbourne side, Harmes spent a lot of time on ball. He slowly worked his way into the game providing good pressure on opposition midfielders.
Ben Kennedy was a workhorse for the Demons, providing strength at stoppages and run along the wing. He had 26 disposals, looking dangerous on attack and contributed with a goal.
Casey vice-captain Angus Scott provided a real spark for the Demons, with 25 disposals and three goals at half-forward.
Mitch White was reliable down back yet again with some strong defensive efforts. He pushed forward to kick a good long goal, but while under constant duress down back, he turned the ball over on numerous occasions.
Melbourne’s Billy Stretch and Sam Weideman both sat the game out as the pair are emergencies for Sunday’s clash with the Bombers at Etihad Stadium.
Ex-AFL player David Rodan also made an appearance on Saturday afternoon. Rodan played nine of his 185 AFL games with the Demons and is now a goal umpire for the VFL.
The Demons have lost two of its opening three matches and will be looking to get back on the winners list when they take on Werribee in Hoppers Crossing next Sunday.
GEELONG 1.3 4.6 10.7 14.8 (92)
CASEY DEMONS 2.1 4.2 7.5 8.8 (56)
CASEY GOALS
Scott 3, White, Fritsch, Gardiner, Kennedy, Kent
CASEY BEST
Scott, Kennedy, Kent, Wagner, Trengove
