A clash against the ladder leaders Geelong was a tough ask on paper or an up and down Casey Demons side but an exciting first quarter has put Casey right back into finals contention, the final score 2.2 14 to 4.11 35.
Casey was flying out of the blocks at Deakin University early in the first term.
From the first centre clearance of the game the ball was contently locking in the Demons forward line.
A structure that has clearly been worked upon in recent weeks, was paying off for the Demons, as every Geelong possession seemingly ended up back in the hands of the Demons.
Casey flooded the ball carrier at every opportunity, running at the Cats players and allowing them no time and space.
Geelong had no answers for the onslaught of pressure.
Casey captain, Ally Kirkwood, was drifting forward off the wing to the forward 50 when the ball was on the opposite side of the forward line, positioning herself perfectly for loose clearances.
Kirkwood regularly found the ball by drifting off her direct opponent, causing headaches for Geelong as they were outnumbered everywhere on the field.
A terrific first quarter with goals from Marla Neal and Niamh O’Neill was capped off by Kirkwood, with a third goal right as the siren sounded.
A 24-point lead at quarter time was the dream start Casey were after.
The second term continued as the first began.
Casey managed to keep the ball locked in their attacking 50 and were creating chances from every possession.
Struggling to capitalise on the scoreboard Casey began to let Geelong free from their press.
Geelong managed to break through the navy-blue wall and create opportunities for themselves, eventually scoring their first goal of the game.
This didn’t faze Casey, a strong first half, led from the middle with Marla Neal popping up everywhere the ball was.
The second half was significantly more contested and clogged up compared to the first.
Geelong managed to lift their own pressure game and created a contest where there was little ball movement.
Ciara Burke came up with a touch of brilliance as a left foot snap from the pocket went through and increased Casey’s lead to 28-points at the final break.
Casey stuck to their gameplan throughout the last term with the whole defensive group working hard to maintain the grip they had on the match.
Caitlin Conroy leading the defensive group, continuing from her form last week on her comeback from injury.
With three games left of the season there is more than every chance that Casey can make a push for a finals place.
A strong finish last week against the now top of the ladder, Southern Saints and now a win over former ladder leaders Geelong, displays that there is enough talent in the squad for the final’s appearance.
The next opportunity Casey will have to continue their charge will be in two weeks’ time against Essendon at Casey Fields.
CASEY: 3.6 3.9 4.10 4.11 35
GEELONG: 0.0 1.0 1.0 2.2 14
BEST: Woolcock, Kinnane, Danckert, O’Neill, Burke, Fairchild
GOALS: 1 Burke, O’Neill, Neal, Kirkwood
DISPOSALS: 20 Fairchild, 18 Neal, 18 Woolcock, 16 Kinnane, 14 Danckert