The Casey Demons were held in it’s tracks last year, deprived of the chance to make it an AFL and VFL double.
But with another sensational side back at Casey Fields in 2022, the Demons should be in contention to compete for what it missed out on last year.
The Demons won seven of their nine games in 2021, finishing the season in fifth on the ladder.
Former GWS Giant Matt Buntine has landed at the Dees this year and is no different to every footballer who will lace up this year – just excited to play in front of people again.
“I think the ability to play in front of family and friends, for me personally, is one thing I am excited about” he said.
“But on another level, given the fact footy in Victoria has been so affected by Covid the last couple of years, (to) reengage with such a young core group at Casey and try and fast-track their development, give them a good shot this year at playing good footy and having a successful year.”
While the success of the AFL Demons will support the Casey outfit tremendously, it often comes with its cons.
The main con being a footballer in form being pushed back to local level without doing much wrong at VFL level.
However, Buntine revealed the key to that is the clarity in communication, which he says coach Mark Corrigan has nailed.
“The aligned clubs have that unique aspect, but being transparent at the start is one of the most crucial things,” he said.
“Mark Corrigan – our coach – is pretty open and honest with the boys in that circumstance, but I guess it’s just about maximising our Tuesday, Thursday’s when we’re all training and then when we get that opportunity at the VFL level, making sure the boys embrace it.
“We have such great resources around, you know being able to play with AFL listed players just coming out a premiership side, (it’s about) leveraging that opportunity as well, that’s certainly something I will preach to the boys.”
As for what brand of footy the Demons will play this year, well it’s simple, they won’t fix what isn’t broken according to Buntine.
“We hope to mimic a fair bit of what the Melbourne boys do,” he said.
“You will probably here this out of most clubs, but first and foremost, the contest is paramount, we want to be a strong, contested team.
“But also when we have the opportunity to show our flare and score, we want to be attacking.
“As a dour defender, I hope the boys tackle hard and defend well, but as footy fans we hope to be tough in the contest and willing to take the game on to kick a winning score.”
Being an inaugural GWS Giant, Buntine knows a bit about being a young player, and while he intends to shed some of that light, there is another part of his career he anticipates sharing with his new teammates.
“I think not only that experience of mine, but also being a tier player, in and out a bit, will hold me in good stead to have those relationships with those blokes from Melbourne coming back,” he said.
“Their frustrations and desire to get back up and also the young footballers that want to make the most of every minute they can.
“Certainly I can reflect back on my time doing that and it’s one element I want to bring to the football club; not only performing well on game day but also being a good resource to those guys.”
Casey have released its list for the 2022 season and among the list are 16 locals.
But as explained by Buntine, there are three that are exciting him the most.
“Mitch White our skipper is tremendous, he gets thrown around a bit,” he said.
“He came to me last year and I certainly had my work cut out with him, but we have some young blokes like Roan Steele and Corey Ellison.
“Corey can play at both ends which is a great asset to him, I certainly wouldn’t want to line up on him on at either end if I had to, so I am very glad he is my teammate this year and not have to come up against him.”
The Casey Demons kick off its season this Sunday against the Sandringham Dragons at Casey Fields at 1:05pm.
CASEY DEMONS FROM THE SOUTH EAST:
Jimmy Munro (Cora Lynn), Mitch White (Cranbourne), Kyle Stainthorpe (Rowville), Zac Andrewartha (Langwarrin), Roan Steele (Frankston YCW), Tyler Edwards (Rowville), Josh Smith (Beaconsfield), George Grey (Cranbourne), Tommy Macrae (Devon Meadows), Miles Shepherd (Crib Point), Luca Goonan (Frankston YCW), Corey Ellison (Cranbourne), Jarryd Barker (Cranbourne), Matt Johnson (Beaconsfield), Ryan Koo Kweet Kim (Devon Meadows), Wal Woul (Berwick).
