Fresh looks and fresh faces define an exciting new chapter for Casey as the Demons kick off their VFL season this week against Footscray.
With new mentor Rhett McLennan at the helm alongside a relatively new playing group, Casey is loading up with anticipation and a sharp mindset.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenges and excitement of coaching AFL-listed players, but also I’m hoping to develop some of those younger players and those guys aspiring to senior level,” McLennan noted as some of his personal goals.
“It’s also about giving some guys some opportunities they might not have had in the past to play at a VFL standard and just embracing the good wins and the great moments that they have against some fairly highly-touted players and some of the opposition.
“The level of knowledge existing at the club that I’ve been able to inherit has been fantastic.”
The club has a number of goals, obviously underlined by on-field results, but also with clear intentions to develop talent and continue to grow the relationship and alignment with AFL club Melbourne.
And this has been evident with the elevation of Jai Culley last year and Paddy Cross just a few weeks ago.
“It was great for Paddy to be picked up and having coached him since he was 16 years old, I feel incredibly happy to be able to be in the first and very last bit from being an elite junior talent into his VFL stuff, which is great,” McLennan said.
As for building on 2025’s run to the semi-finals, McLennan was assured to keep the momentum rolling.
But he hopes to bring a new, exciting brand of footy that’ll see the Demons move the ball quickly and launch into the forward half.
“I think it’s a combination of improvement in a lot of different areas,” he said.
“The boys had a really good amount of momentum coming into the end of the season last year and probably just had a rough couple of quarters against Frankston to stop them from getting to a prelim.
“If we can just identify what can improve just that fraction of a percent, and harness the things that are still really solid about what Casey is doing, then hopefully we can keep stacking up wins and get into a position like they were in in 2025.
“I think at our best we’ll play a really fast, attacking style of football, not unlike what they’re trying to do at Melbourne.
“If we’ve got a combination of teams that can play fast, attacking style football and then be really hard in the contest, and hard to play against, then I think we’re going to be fairly competitive every time we come out to play.”
Deakyn Smith returns as skipper, this time sharing the co-captaincy with 2025 best-and-fairest winner Riley Bonner.
Casey opens its season with an away matchup with reigning premiers Footscray at the Whitten Oval on Saturday, commencing at 12:05pm.
McLennan was admittedly excited to open the season with a massive challenge.
“It’s a great litmus test to see where we’re at in regards to the level of what good VFL footy looks like so we’re going to be trying our hardest to assess what the opposition is giving us and then try play our game as much as we can,” he said of the keys.
“If we can bring our strengths and have a good look at how Footscray do things and then try and break their game down then we’re going to have some good moments, whether that relates into results, we’ll wait and see.”
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Luis D’Angelo – Inside Mid
“We actively went and chased him down as a replacement for Riley Baldi. He’s been Traralgon’s premier on-baller for the last couple of years, but had only played four games for Box Hill over a couple of years. His preseason has been impeccable and he’s had a couple of practice matches already that shows he’ll be really important for us as an inside mid.”
Luke Cheffers – Half Forward
“He’s a very unfashionable yet hardworking country footballer. His running capacity and attack on the contest is something that is unique at any level of football, he just has a level that people can’t really deal with at times. His game against Box Hill was exceptional as a high half forward with 22 touches, 10 tackles and two goals. As a guy that hasn’t played VFL footy, he’s in for a really great season.”
Luamon Lual – Half Back
“He’s come over from Essendon after finishing the season really strong in the AFL and unfortunately found himself off a list and he really has a point to prove. His preseason has been sensational and his ability to help us with his experience and his attack on the football from half back is going to be really important.”
CASEY DEMONS
Senior Coach: Rhett McLennan
Captain/s: Deakyn Smith and Riley Bonner
2025 Finish: 5th (11-6-1), eliminated in semi-final
2025 Best and Fairest: Riley Bonner
Leading Goalkicker: Mitch Hardie (29)
First Four: Footscray (A), BYE, Box Hill (H), Brisbane (H)
