CASEY has gone down to Werribee by 13 points in a fierce contest at Hogans Road Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Werribee 13.9 (87) defeated Casey 10.14 (74).
A spirited outing in Hoppers Crossing saw both North Melbourne’s Lindsay Thomas and Melbourne’s Jake Melksham in the umpires’ book following incidents throughout the match.
Thomas was reported for a head high bump on Corey Maynard in the first minute of the second quarter, which saw Maynard stretchered off the ground.
Thomas will await the Match Review Panel’s verdict, with Maynard playing no further part in the game.
Melksham’s report came after a collision with Werribee’s Matthew Hanson at a centre bounce.
Hanson stood up to receive the free kick and played out the match.
But by the 25-minute mark of the third term, Melksham found himself in more hot water, with the umpire taking his number for a second time after another run in with Hanson.
Despite two indiscretions, Melksham was one of Casey’s best, playing on ball to gather 30 disposals and provide first possession for his side all day. He covered the ground well with run and carry, while pushing forward to chip in with a goal.
“I thought he was brilliant,” senior coach Justin Plapp told melbournefc.com.au.
“He played the way we needed him to. We give him a role and he stuck to that really well.”
A vicious second term saw spot fires playing out all over the ground and set the tone for the match.
The swirly wind picked up after quarter-time, allowing Casey to take full advantage in the second period.
Wrestling back the momentum, Casey turned a six-point deficit into a 14-point lead by the main break.
But the Tigers were full of run in the second half, rebounding from half-back and carrying the ball deep inside 50, which was pivotal in the windy conditions.
“We lost three players going into half time … which threw our rotations out a bit,” Plapp said.
But Casey's inability to finish its work in tight situations let them down late in the game.
Casey vice-captain James Munro had the daunting task of following Thomas throughout the match and gave him very little breathing space early.
After a frustrating first half, Thomas swapped the fluoro green boots for the bright orange pair. Moments before the three quarter-time siren, he received a 50-metre penalty to kick his first goal, reducing Casey’s lead to two-points at the final change.
Thomas came out with intent in the final term, laying a crunching tackle on Jack Hutchins, although unable to convert in a bid to hand the Tigers the lead.
But at the 20-minute mark, Thomas slotted his second goal to extend Werribee’s lead to 11 points, before sealing the game with a third major in the dying stages of the match.
“All in all it was a really good response from last week. Our effort and our ability to compete for the whole game was really good,” Plapp said.
The ruck battle with North Melbourne’s 206-cm Braydon Preuss was a challenging one. Mitch King worked hard with the help of Declan Keilty to minimise the big man’s impact, but Preuss’ aerial presence was crucial late in the game.
James Harmes showed plenty of grunt early in the match with nine first-quarter disposals before copping a head knock.
“Something has happened to his eye. He’s been taken to hospital,” Plapp said.
Billy Stretch was clean on the outside in his first game at VFL level this season. He had 25 disposals, showing his usual class and composure with ball in hand.
Ben Kennedy continued his strong start to the season with another 26-disposal performance.
“He shows a lot of intensity and competitiveness and slotted a goal on the day,” Plapp said.
Similarly, Jack Trengove worked his way into the game to be a valuable contributor through the middle with 22 touches.
The 18-year-old small forward Dion Johnstone had his best game for the season. He kicked two valuable goals and is beginning to look more comfortable at the level.
For the Tigers, Nick Larkey booted four goals in the first three quarters and was a massive factor in setting up a Tigers victory.
Alex Neal-Bullen was held as emergency for Melbourne at the MCG and didn’t play.
Casey will face off against the Northern Blues at Preston City Oval in round five, looking to get its season back on track with a second win next Sunday.
“I think if we can maintain a level of contest and the competitive spirit we showed today it will give us an opportunity [to defeat the Blues]. It’s just whether we are able to be more efficient going forward,” Plapp said.
WERRIBEE 3.3 6.4 10.7 13.9 (87)
CASEY DEMONS 2.3 8.6 10.9 10.14 (74)
CASEY GOALS
Scott, Johnstone 2, Fritsch, Vander Haar, Keilty, Kennedy, Melksham, Kent
CASEY BEST
Melksham, Stretch, Kennedy, Trengove
