It was another case of Casey having to dig deep against a challenger, and it managed to do so yet again to register an impressive 23-point win at VU Whitten Oval.

A goalless first term for the Dees was quickly put to bed in the second term when a three-goal masterclass from Kade Chandler propelled the Demons to the 9.12 (66) to 6.7 (43) victory.

Chandler was once again immense, putting together one of his better games for the season just weeks after his best on ground performance against Port Melbourne.

He finished with three crafty goals to go with 15 disposals and four clearances.

Experienced player Oskar Baker was also terrific across half back, often combining with speedster Jayden Hunt to repel Footscray’s attacks.

Baker amassed 33 disposals, with 29 of them being kicks as his speed and accuracy with ball in hand rose to the fore in wet conditions.

Hunt only played the three quarters, but his class also became noticeable as the pair became pillars across the half-back line.

“Our high backs were fantastic,” Corrigan told Casey Media. “That includes Bowey, Hunt and Baker in the second half.

“They defended really hard, played the way we wanted them to and then also won the ball back for us to score.”

Despite Footscray registering the only goal of the first quarter, Casey quickly got to work in the second term, with Ryan Valentine roving to perfection to waltz into an open goal.

It then became the Kade Chandler show, as the number 37 slammed through an inspiring running goal from the very next centre bounce.

Minutes later he converted an uncontested mark in front of goals, before completing his hattrick with a booming left foot goal from beyond the arc that slid through in the wet.

Despite the Dogs keeping in touch with the Dees, a late goal for the returning Andy Moniz-Wakefield ensured Casey went into the main break with a healthy 13-point advantage.

Corrigan said Chandler’s ability to bounce back in the second quarter was symbolic of his side’s attacking response after a goalless first term.

“We moved the ball in an efficient way but also defend well to deny them opportunities,” Corrigan said. “For me, to get that win and play that way was great.”

Bailey Laurie quickly went to work to start the third term, rolling on from his standout performance against Geelong last game by getting on the board with a major.

But the Dogs came snarling back, as it took a wonderful running play from Hunt that was finished by George Grey to halt Footscray’s run of three consecutive goals.

The late goal ensured Casey held a nine-point lead at the final break, with the pouring rain descending on VU Whitten Oval.

But the Demons responded, as Jacob van Rooyen capped off another imposing display around the ground with an imposing contested mark and set shot goal to push the margin out to 17 points.

The defence also solidified, with the likes of Jake Bowey (20 touches), Corey Ellison and Baker all clamping down on Footscray’s dangerous forwards.

With Jimmy Munro’s grunt and Luke Dunstan’s class in the middle helping the Demons win vital clearances, the last quarter was quickly placed in Casey’s control.

Matthew Buntine’s versatility helped set up his teammates in an impressive final term, while the returning Blake Howes partnered well with fellow draftee Taj Woewodin to control the wings.

Chandler put the icing on the cake late, strolling into his fourth goal to kill off a spirited Footscray outfit.

Without a standout player clearly dominating the game, Corrigan said the even depth displayed in the win was a satisfying element of Casey’s 15th straight win this season.

“It was a scrappy game, but I thought those even contributions across the board was what got us across the line,” Corrigan said. “It was one of those performances where we were able to do the right things and capitalise a bit more as it was pretty even as a contest.”

FOOTSCRAY           1.2       3.6       6.6       6.7 (43)

CASEY                      0.3       5.7       7.9       9.12 (66)

GOALS: Chandler 4, Moniz-Wakefield, Valentine, Laurie, Grey, van Rooyen

DISPOSALS: Baker 33, Bowey, Buntine, Howes 20, Dunstan 19

BEST: Baker, Chandler, Bowey, Hunt, Munro, Ellison, van Rooyen