SUMMARY
IN A THRILLING final few minutes, the Casey Demons has clawed its way to victory over the Darebin Falcons by 1-point on Sunday afternoon keeping the side’s VFLW finals dream alive.
Heading into the final term trailing by a lone point, the Demons needed to lift in the final 20 minutes after allowing the Falcons to swoop on costly turnovers in the third term.
But the home side was able to dig deep and believe in their abilities and the team plan to fight back in the contest, something the coaches always believed they could.
THE NUMBERS
DISPOSALS: Mithen 26, Birch 17, Downie 16, Smith 15, Hore 14
GOALS: Hore 2
Wild finish keeps Casey dream alive
The Demons showed the desperation and the drive needed to keep their finals ambitions alive on Sunday afternoon, refusing to give in and let the Falcons fly away with the game.
But rather giving up, the Demons dug deep and earned the victory in one of their most extraordinary games of the season.
Lily Mithen impresses again
One of the major contributors in the victory was the outstanding play of Lily Mithen.
The Melbourne AFL-player was sensational in this one, finishing with 26 disposals in what was a best on ground performance.
Mithen has been incredible since joining the Demons late in the season and is on track for a stellar AFLW tilt come 2020.
Defenders challenged… Meg Downie stood up
Throughout the game on Sunday, the Demons defenders were challenged by the Darebin attacks, but the Demons had one constant, the outstanding play of Meg Downie.
Returning after being out with a shoulder injury, the Melbourne AFLW star was dominant in defense and provided a calming influence for her fellow Demon backs.
Finishing with 16 disposals and a number of intercept marks, Downie was marvellous in her return match.
Alicia Johnson: The milestone woman
It was a momentous day for the Casey Demons VFLW program with the club celebrating its first 50-game player in Alicia Johnson.
A beloved teammate and a leader for the team, Johnson was rightly celebrated for her contributions on the field and off of the field.
Here’s to another 50 games in the red and blue.
A word from the coach
“The girls were good, they stuck to the plan which was the key,” Assistant coach Troy Hemming told Melbourne Media post-match.
“By sticking to our strengths… Keeping the ball in our forward half it gave us more opportunities to score.
“It was a good win.”
Looking forward
Next week the Demons face another difficult test as they head to Box Hill City Oval to face the reigning premiers in Hawthorn.
Hawthorn hasn’t been the dominant side they showed last year, but still, they have a talented list of AFLW level players and are playing for their own finals’ lives.
Casey is going to need another hard-fought and determined performance to win in Round 14 on Saturday afternoon.
