VFL 2018: Casey Demons hold out Essendon in preliminary final to go into VFL decider

CASEY Demons are the first team into the 2018 VFL grand final after defeating Essendon in the preliminary final at North Port Oval.

The Casey Demons celebrate their victory in the preliminary final.

THERE was nothing glamorous about it.

It was windy and wet and bitterly cold at North Port Oval on Saturday, making for what more than a few watchers called an “old-fashioned slog’’.

In such testing conditions, the Casey Demons scrapped out an eight-point win over a resolute Essendon and a path to the VFL grand final at Etihad Stadium.

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It’s a second decider in three years for the Demons, who were known as the Scorpions when they fell to Footscray Bulldogs in 2016.

The club last won a premiership in 1999, when it was known as Springvale. The Vales relocated to Casey Fields in 2006, as the Casey Scorpions.

Demons coach Jade Rawlings called it a “really tough prelim final’’ and a “test of attrition’’ and said Essendon was “sensational’’.

Casey’s Bernie Vince claims Bomber Jake Long.

Scores were level at half time but the Bombers began the second half superbly, gaining goals from Heath Hocking and Jackson Merrett in the first six minutes of the third quarter to slip out to a handy break.

The Demons took their time in replying, but after spells of gritty defence they got there when Cam Pedersen took a diving mark and made the set-shot. Ninety seconds later Jeff Garlett pulled off a clever snap from the forward pocket.

The Dons’ lead was down to one point, but big Sam Draper eased it out to seven when he took the ball from a ruck contest and bounced it through.

Then came a crucial moment. The ball was booted deep into an open Casey forward line and Bombers backman Ben McNiece led the race for it, pursued by Cam Pedersen. McNiece chose to take the ball through for a point but the umpire believed he could have done more, called a deliberately rushed behind and awarded Pedersen a free kick. On a day when goals assumed the value of gold bars, he slotted it through to give the Demons a pep before three-quarter time.

Casey’s Jay Kennedy-Harris falls over Bomber Jake McQueen.

As the wind kicked up, James Munro’s goal inside the first minute of the final term was another lifter for the Demons.

They spent the next 20 minutes scrapping it out with the desperate Dons, often around packs, tackle following tackle, the pressure unceasing, the tension mounting.

Joel Smith denied the Bombers a goal with a crucial intercept in the 19th minute, and soon after the Demons went 13 points ahead when Garlett was paid a free kick for holding after dropping a mark.

There didn’t appear to be much in it. But the umpire was in a good position to make the assessment.

A few Essendon supporters among the crowd of 3350 began to drift out. Bomber Dylan Clarke was given a free at the other end and closed the gap to eight points, but time ran out for the Dons. The final siren elevated Casey’s season to another, exciting level and ended the Dons’ commendable finals campaign.

Essendon ruckman Samuel Draper rises above Demon Mykelti Lefau.

They had effectively been playing elimination finals for five weeks, and were forced into three changes after their grand win over minor premier Richmond in last week’s semi finals. No wonder Rawlings called them “the form side of the competition’’.

“In that third quarter we hung in and saved some goals and then a couple of big plays got us back on even terms,’’ Rawlings said.

“To be able to get over the line in really challenging conditions is a pretty satisfying feeling.’’

Garlett kicked three of Casey’s 10 goals, a worthy contribution in the conditions, and the experience of Bernie Vince and the aggression of Munro made a difference too.

“I thought he was outstanding,’’ Rawlings said of Vince.

“One thing I’ve learned about Bernie over the last five years is when it’s wet and windy conditions, he’s tough and he gets good distance and depth with his kicks, to clear the area.’’

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He said Munro was “going as well as anyone when we weren’t going so well as a team’’. “He might be a bit untidy at times, Jimmy, but we love what he brings, with his intensity and his capacity to play for his teammates’’.

Corey Wagner and Mitch Gent also had telling hands in the victory.

For Essendon, Aaron Francis, with his marking, and Michael Hartley, with his long kicking, were the main barriers of the backline, Jake Long showed his customary speed and Clarke beavered away for 30 possessions.

The Demons will play the winner of today’s other preliminary final between Williamstown and Box Hill Hawks.

Casey Demons 3.4, 5.9, 8.10, 10.13 (73)

Essendon 3.3, 6.3, 9.5, 10.5 (65)

Casey Demons goals: J. Garlett 3, C. Pedersen 2, C. Wagner, M. Lefau, M. Gent, B. Vince, J. Munro

Best: C. Wagner, J. Munro, J. Kennedy-Harris, B. Vince, T. Bugg, J. Garlett

Essendon goals: N. Lazzaro 2, A. Heppell, D. Younan, D. Clarke, J. Stewart, H. Hocking, S. Draper, N. Hind, J. Merrett

Best: D. Clarke, J. Ridley, N. Lazzaro, K. Mutch, J. Long, A. Heppell