The Casey Demons are officially the VFL premiers for 2022 after defeating Southport 70–38 in Sunday’s Grand Final at Ikon Park.
Having lost just one game throughout the entire season, the Demons entered the game as favourites, but it was the Sharks who looked the better of the two sides early as they found themselves seven points up at quarter-time.
Despite looking slightly off the pace early, the Demons kept the margin within reach, eventually taking the lead midway through the second term which they’d never rescind.
With torrential rain turning the game into a slog, Mark Corrigan’s side held field position for the majority of the second half as the Sharks only mustered the two goals for the last three quarters as Casey ultimately ran out 32–point winners.
Casey captain Mitch White was named the Norm Goss Medallist as best-afield as the midfielder picked up 29 disposals and had 13 tackles.
Along with White, Luke Dunstan (30 disposals, nine tackles), Kade Chandler (23 disposals, seven tackles) and James Munro (one goal, 21 disposals) were huge in the middle, while Jake Melksham (four goals, 16 disposals) and Adam Tomlinson (19 disposals) were immense at either end of the ground.
"It was a long week...thinking about a loss".
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 18, 2022
Four-goal hero Jake Melksham joins @mjbarlow20 after Casey's VFL Grand Final victory. pic.twitter.com/98Vyt9WE6Q
For Southport, Boyd Woodcock continued his stellar campaign with 32 disposals while Kwaby Boakye (20 disposals), Jesse Joyce (22 disposals) and Jacob Townsend (two goals) can hold their heads high in defeat.
In winning the premiership, Casey finally gets over the hump after leading late into the 2016 and 2018 Grand Finals before going down to the Bulldogs and Hawks respectively.
Formerly known as the Springvale Scorpions, this is the first premiership for the club this century and their sixth of all time having won VFA/VFL flags in 1987, ’95, ’96, ’98 and ’99.
FULL SCORE
Casey Demons: 2.2, 4.5, 6.8, 10.10 (70)
Southport: 3.3, 3.5, 4.5, 5.8 (38)
GOALS
Casey Demons: Melksham 4, Brown 2, Bedford, Laurie, Munro, Woewodin
Southport: Townsend 2, Johnson, King, Pescud
BEST
Casey Demons: Kade Chandler, Jake Melksham, Mitch White, James Munro, Luke Dunstan
Southport: Boyd Woodcock, Kwaby Boakye, Jesse Joyce, Jacob Townsend