The inaugural season in 2019 for the Casey Demons may now seem like a distant memory, yet they found themselves being written into the club’s history books after a Championship division Grand Final appearance.
Though the Division One and 19 & Under sides were respectfully unable to land many wins on the board, the club’s fighting spirit continued to shine bright, and has only lifted in the off season. Casey will head into their season opener this weekend, with an objective to be in the contest early and to convert at every opportunity. It will be a year to earn respect from the rest of the competition, on and off the court, and to walk away with all three teams in the top six and with hopes to be finals contenders.
Boosting Casey’s chances of making a name for themselves this season will be newest recruits and fellow Melbourne Vixens squad members, Tayla Honey and Sacha McDonald, who have made the move from Geelong Cougars and Peninsula Waves, respectively. The pair have had a wealth of experience together in the Vixens camp, and amongst Victorian Fury and state teams, hinting they will be valuable assets to the already established Championship side. Honey as an attacker will provide plenty of drive in transition, while McDonald will pair well with former Fury teammate Emma Ryde in the goal circle. It will be a memorable moment for Casey, as another McDonald will step out in the red and blue, as her brothers have both spent time at the Melbourne Demons in the AFL.
Casey’s fearless goaler, Emma Ryde will return to the Demons this year, alongside former junior Casey Netball Association representative Sharni Lambden who transitioned from Peninsula Waves at the end of the 2019 season. Sharni joined the Collingwood Magpies as a training partner in 2017 and cemented her name in the Tasmanian Magpies’ midcourt during the Australian Netball League season, while Victorian Fury premiership player, Emma Ryde, spent most of 2020 within the Super Netball hub in Queensland as a training partner for Collinwood Magpies. The defence end will be led by former Victorian Fury squad members Demi Woodlock and Karli Foster, and new recruit from last from Blaze, Brianna Hipwell.
Amongst the ten new signings across all divisions are some encouraging emerging talent coming through the ranks, with Ellie Brasser and Lainey Bidwell impressing in the Central East Academy to add depth to the 19 & Under side. They will be led by head coach, Sharon Massey Chase who will be assisted by former 19 & Under VNL Monash and Boroondara Express athlete, Brittany Pym.
Whilst in the open divisions, Robynn Pym continues as club head coach and Championship coach for Casey, and will have extra motivation to go one step further after a Grand Final defeat in 2019. It will be Pym’s 30th year of coaching state league this season, starting her very first game in 1991 with Eastside, now known as the Wilson Storage Southern Saints. An incredible achievement and well-deserved recognition for Pym, as someone who has made such an influential impact on Victorian netballers, both as players and as people.
Casey welcome Jack Doyle and Chris Baldwin who have joined on as strength and conditioning coaches for the year, looking to elevate the athletes’ performance. The Division One team will work hard for coach Clare Keyon and assistant coach Ben Dixon, who plays a pivotal role in the Eastern Talent Academy, and was recently award his Advanced accreditation.
Following three successful home games held at Casey Stadium in 2019, averaging a crowd of 1000 people, the club will return to the fort to host Peninsula Waves in round 1 of the VNL this weekend. Games will kick off at 6.30pm at Casey Stadium (65 Berwick-Cranbourne Rd, Cranbourne East) on Saturday, 24 April.
