VFL Match Report: Round 18 vs Casey Demons

28/07/2025

Our VFL team fought valiantly in a tough loss down at Casey Fields

Photography by Ollie Tory 

We faced a tough task on the road on Sunday, taking on a red-hot Casey Demons side at Casey Fields. Despite the final margin of 63 points, there were encouraging signs from our players who refused to drop their heads and kept competing right to the final siren. In a match that saw Casey control large periods of play, we found moments of real spark - especially in the first and final quarters - where the side generated multiple forward
entries and hit the scoreboard through clean ball movement and pressure inside 50.

It was an electric start for us. Alex Dodson continued his great form for the year with a goal inside the first minute, while Ned Maginness kicked our second of the day only a few minutes later. Lachlan Voss added our third to bring the margin out to 13 points when he kicked truly from just inside 50. From there, our defence was tested as Casey began dominating territory. Our defence held up well, repelling Casey who began to dominate around the ball and stifle the momentum. Their efforts weren’t in vain, with multiple efforts from all our defenders helping stem the flow. We headed into quarter time 29 points down.

The second quarter had Casey kicking with the wind, so our defence had their work cut out for them to hold up the Casey attack. James Barrat set the tone early with a big intercept mark, while Dodson continued to present well down the line as a good bail out option. We worked hard to get the ball forward and were unlucky to have that final kick not quite come off for us. The boys persisted, fighting hard around the ball and making ball movement tough for our Demons opponents. Tobie Travaglia continued his strong form this season, repelling attacks and generating movement from our back half. After a difficult quarter, we headed into the main break 52 points down. Playing for pride would be important, and we responded in the second half in kind.

Billy Richardson got onto the end of a brilliant bit of ball movement to start off the second half in a sure sign that momentum could turn our way. Our contest work was strong, with Paddy Dow, Liam Henry and others making it hard for Casey to easily bring the ball to the outside. Jonah Campigli kicked our first goal of the half with a brilliant set shot from just on 50 after winning a free kick. He’s been our most consistent forward for the year and continued his strong form with that amazing goal. Our pressure in the front half lifted, with Henry and Sammy Latreille setting the tone. Liam Henry slotted our second of the quarter, a great reward for sustained pressure. Casey entered the final break 58 points up in another tight final 10 minutes of the quarter.

Our best bit of play came early in the fourth quarter, going coast to coast by hand and foot giving us confidence to bring the fight in this final term. Voss kicked his second of the day, getting on the end of a long lead, while Harry Boyd, in an unfamiliar role in defence, fought valiantly. Maginness also added his second, another set shot from 50. Richardson was the benefit of a holding free kick with only a few minutes to go to add his second, while Charlie Orchard kicked a brilliant spoil and walk in goal.  While there was damage done by the Demons in the first half, we rallied in the second half, making it a tighter contest. There's plenty to build on for next week, but a lot of promising signs as well.

Scoring power of our Zebs

While it was a tough day at the office, plenty of positives can be taken from us hitting the scoreboard across the day. Maginness and Voss both kicked two, while Richardson, Orchard and Campigli all added goals in a great day for our VFL-listed players.

Travaglia stars off half-back
With Schoenmaker elevated to the AFL this week, there was a big hole to fill with ball users off half back. Tobie Travaglia took the challenge on with both hands, accumulating 31 disposals to be our main distributor off half back. There was plenty to like and build on from the youngster!

Sandringham   3.2        3.3       5.5         9.6         60
Casey                  8.1      11.7     14.9       18.15    123

Goals: Voss (2), Maginness (2), Richardson, Orchard, Henry, Dodson, Campigli

View full match stats.

Both our VFL and VFLW teams are back at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval to take on North Melbourne in a double-header on Sunday. VFLW kicks off at 9:45am, followed by VFL at 2:05pm!

Written by Matt Girolami - Sandringham FC Media