By Hayley Wildes
The Casey Demons are off to the big dance. In what was a thrilling encounter at North Port Oval on Saturday afternoon, the Demons were able to get the job done when it mattered most against Essendon.
In wet and windy conditions, it was a battle of epic proportions and Casey’s trademark pressure and work around the contest proved to be the difference.
Jeff Garlett – who was dangerous all day – got Casey off to the perfect start with a set shot goal just one minute into the contest, but the Bombers responded with the next two.
In a tough first quarter, with neither team taking a backwards step, Bernie Vince – in his return from a shoulder injury – slotted a fine running goal to have Casey one-point in front at the first break.
The Demons dominated general play in the second quarter but despite their 17-3 inside 50 advantage, only managed two goals to Essendon’s three in the term.
At the main break, scores were locked at 39-all. The work of Tom Bugg, Bernie Vince, James Munro and Corey and Josh Wagner was crucial in the first half as they drove the ball forward, despite the poor efficiency once the ball got inside 50.
After two early Essendon goals, the game turned into a complete arm-wrestle in the third quarter. It took a Cam Pedersen one-handed mark and goal at the 22-minute mark of the quarter to break the deadlock.
It was a welcome goal for Casey fans after enduring 34 minutes of play without a major. The Demons faithful didn’t have to wait long for their next goal as Garlett snapped a beauty one minute later.
The Bombers answered, but at the 28-minute mark of the quarter the momentum shifted in Casey’s favour when a deliberate rush behind from Essendon handed Pedersen a set shot from a tight angle, which he calmly put through.
Casey’s fight back saw them trail by just one-point with a quarter to play.
James Munro – who thrived in the testing conditions – got Casey off to a brilliant start with a goal just 45 seconds into the fourth quarter.
The next 20 minutes of football was exactly what finals football is all about – tough, uncompromising and completely enthralling.
It was Garlett who stepped up and delivered when the game was there to be won. A set shot goal at the 22-minute mark had Casey leading by 13 points.
A late goal to Essendon’s Dylan Clarke gave his side some hope, but Casey booked its place in the grand final with a hard-fought eight-point win, 10.13 (73) to 10.5 (65).
VFL-listed players Corey Wagner and James Munro were enormous in the wet conditions, while Jay Kennedy-Harris, Bernie Vince, Tom Bugg and Jeff Garlett (three goals) kept their names in discussion for an AFL call-up as Melbourne pushes deep into the AFL finals.
Casey’s attention now quickly shifts to Box Hill, which earned its place in the decider with an intense one-point win over Williamstown on Sunday. The Seagulls had a chance to win the game with the last kick of the day, but Jaylon Thorpe’s set shot from a tight angle just drifted wide.
Sunday’s VFL grand final kicks off from 3.20pm at Etihad Stadium and both teams will enter the decider with confidence.
Casey’s road to grand final has seen the side defeat Geelong by 91 points in the qualifying final, before taking care of Essendon on Saturday. Box Hill’s path has been more difficult; a rare overtime win against Port Melbourne in an elimination final, a 29-point semi-final victory over Geelong, and then the thrilling one-point win over Williamstown.
Casey captain Jack Hutchins will lead his team out in the big dance and dreams of lifting that trophy on Sunday afternoon.
“It would certainly be the dream, that’s for sure. It’s the reason why you play footy; for the mateship and the chance to win premierships,” Hutchins said.
“We came really close in 2016 but fell just short and that will always sit with you – no matter where you go that doesn’t change and you’ve got to deal with that.
“To give ourselves the opportunity this year to have another crack at it is definitely exciting.”
