By Hayley Wildes
It was the most important game of the season thus far for the Casey Demons on Saturday afternoon, and they produced a fantastic effort against Box Hill to claim a key victory.
In what could only be described as a typical winter’s day at Casey Fields, the wind was blowing a gale and Casey took advantage in the first quarter.
The signs were promising early as Jay Kennedy-Harris slotted a magnificent major from the centre square just 10 seconds into the game and, after the Hawks responded with a goal, the Demons rallied to kick the final three majors of the quarter and lead by 26 points at the first break, 4.8 (32) to 1.0 (6).
Kyle Dunkley scored a crucial major against the wind early in the second term and then Casey battened down the hatches for the rest of the half, allowing Box Hill just two majors with a howling wind aiding their cause.
Casey led 5.9 (39) to 3.6 (24) at the main break with Kennedy-Harris, Oscar McDonald, Jimmy Munro and Corey Wagner (12 disposals each) all playing key roles.
While the first half was encouraging, the third quarter was when Casey took its game to the next level and blew Box Hill away. That charge was led by big man Braydon Preuss, who absolutely dominated the Hawks’ ruck duo.
Casey piled on five unanswered goals in the third term – highlighted by two Mykelti Lefau majors and a classic Munro goal – and it was the result of a real hunger for the contest and pure work-rate.
A late goal to the Hawks trimmed the margin slightly, but with a quarter to play, the Demons held a 39-point lead.
Despite a big lead, Casey still had to be wary of the Hawks in the fourth quarter with a strong wind behind them.
After Mitch Lewis kicked an early goal for Box Hill, the Demons once again answered the challenge and when former Dandenong Stingray Toby Bedford kicked his second goal of the game at the nine-minute mark, Casey looked home.
Kennedy-Harris’ dominant game was topped off by a late major to take his tally for the day to three goals and 24 disposals.
Casey ran out convincing 34-point winners, 12.12 (84) to 7.8 (50), and recorded its third victory on the trot.
The midfield trio of Corey Maynard (24 disposals and 13 tackles), Corey Wagner (21 disposals and 15 tackles) and Jimmy Munro (18 disposals, 9 tackles and a goal) was absolutely relentless and thrived in the tough conditions.
Braydon Preuss was a class above in the ruck as he tallied an incredible 64 hit-outs and 17 disposals as he pushed his case for an AFL re-call.
After starting the season slowly, the Demons are building nicely and, with a 5-6 record, they sit ninth – just half a game behind the Hawks in eighth and one game behind Werribee and Geelong in sixth and seventh, respectively.
Round 14 sees Casey take on the Northern Blues (5-5) at Casey Fields from 2pm on Saturday.
