In a tight and highly contested encounter at Casey Fields, Footscray have gone down to Casey Demons by 13 points, 9.8.(62) to 10.15 (75).
Conditions were tough with a wet and dewy ground that made it hard for either team to use the ball cleanly.
The margin was narrow for the majority of the game, with neither side able to break away to more than a kick. It wasn’t until the final term that Casey were able to extend their lead to 13 points, the biggest margin of the night.
Ruckman Tom Campbell had an influence early, starting the first quarter with 17 hit outs, six touches and a goal. Whilst Clay Smith was the only multiple goal kicker of the night with two goals and 20 disposals for the game.
Midfielders Nick Jamieson and Lukas Webb were both good contributors for Footscray with 29 and 24 disposals respectively.
Matthew Boyd played his role in the backline, finishing the game with fourteen kicks, seven handballs and eight marks, and named among Footscray’s best.
It was a slow start for both sides, Casey first to hit the scoreboard with a goal eight minutes into the opening term.
Clay Smith delivered the Dog’s first goal of the night to even the score.
Casey showed some sharp skills to secure their second major half way through the first term.
But once again Footscray responded. A brilliant passage of play from the Dogs resulted in a set shot goal from Tim English, to put the ‘Scray back within two points of the Demons late in the opening term.
Footscray gaining the upper hand late in the term, to finish with 16 forward 50 entries, compared to Caseys’ seven.
Tom Campbell took a strong grab 40m out and converted to see the ‘Scray hit the lead late in the term and take that advantage into the first change.
In the second term Casey once again got the jump on Footscray, securing the opening goal.
From there the Demons took hold of the game, controlling possession and delivering multiple forward entries. Casey were only able to convert on three of their eight scoring shots for the quarter.
Tristian Tweedie kicked a much needed Footscray goal to put the visitors back in front late in the second term.
Unfortunately for the Dogs, Casey managed to get two late goals that saw them head into half time 11 points up.
Casey continued their forward attack in the third term, but accuracy was still an issue, kicking two points in the first 10 minutes of the term.
It was then that Footscray showed some spark, kicking two goals thanks to Lukas Webb and Nathan Mullenger-McHugh, levelling the scores.
Before two quick Casey goals put a stop to Footscray’s run.
Patrick Lipinski got the Dogs back in it with a brilliant running goal late in the term. Followed closely by a goal from Jack Redpath that saw the Dog’s back within a point, before a late Casey goal pushed the margin out to seven points heading into the final change.
Clay Smith got Footscray going with his second goal within the first minute of the final term , putting the Dogs back within a point. Unfortunately that’s where it stopped for the ‘Scray.
Casey went on to kick two more majors to extend their lead to a match winning 13 points.
Footscray will return home next Saturday afternoon to take on the Werribee Tigers at Victoria University Whitten Oval from 2:00pm.
Footscray Bulldogs 3.1 (19) 4.3 (27) 8.5 (53) 9.8 (62)
Casey Demons 2.3 (15) 5.8 (38) 8.12 (60) 10.15 (75)
Best Players: L. Young, T. Campbell, K. Collins, M. Boyd, N. Jamieson, L. Webb
Goalkickers: C. Smith 2, L. Webb, T. Tweedie, T. English, T. Campbell, P. Lipinski, J. Redpath, N. Mullenger-McHugh
Disposals: N. Jamieson 29, L. Webb 24, T. Campbell 22, M. Boyd 21, W. Hayes 21, B. Lynch 20, C. Smith 20, L. Young 18
