Six goals to zero terms in both the first and third quarters has set the scene for the Demons as they strode away to an impressive 91-point win over the Northern Bullants.

Despite the Bullants valiantly fighting back in the second term, Casey’s consistency across the board meant it finished as 18.17 (125) to 5.3 (34) winners.

There were plenty of stars in the big win, as Casey’s experienced heads put in impressive displays across the ground, while Jacob van Rooyen shone with five goals up forward.

Luke Dunstan was stellar in the middle, amassing 41 disposals and slotting two goals in another classy and impactful match in the engine room.

Veteran Jimmy Munro was also unstoppable in the middle, racking up 29 disposals to go with his hardworking six tackles.

Casey midfield coach Taylor Whitford said the Demons’ veterans put on clinical displays in its massive victory.

“We’ve got some VFL experienced players along with some youth, so that balance of them together has been great,” Whitford told Casey Media. “As it progresses it’s ever improving, our balance around the contest and our ability to get it moving forward has been good.

“That said, it does help when you have that experience around the ball.”

The pair fired in the first term, with Josh Smith returning to give the Demons first hands on the footy in the centre square.

Casey’s dangerous forward line capitalised, with six individual goalkickers heaping on majors to give the Demons a commanding 38-point lead at the first break.

This included a highlight goal from Toby Bedford, who ran amuck with his searing pace all day. Bedford slammed through an amazing drop punt finish from the pocket to bring the Casey Fields crowd to their feet.

Yet the Bullants hit back in the second term, kicking four goals in a spirited fightback. Thankfully, some Andy Moniz-Wakefield magic and a second stellar finish from Dunstan ensured the Demons took a 28-point lead into half time.

With Adam Tomlinson, Daniel Turner and Jake Bowey defending valiantly alongside Casey mainstays in Corey Ellison and Matthew Buntine, the Bullants experienced their second goalless quarter for the game in the third term.

Instead the Demons pounced, with a trio of goals from Jacob van Rooyen lighting up the premiership quarter.

Kade Chandler’s class also shone through as he registered two goals in the quarter, including finishing off Casey’s best team goal of the day by marking strongly and converting.

Van Rooyen then took charge, holding onto a contested mark and slotting his second goal, before an athletic toe poke and a superb interception and snap gave him another pair of majors quickly.

Whitford said van Rooyen’s athletic capabilities and marking talent continues to develop each week in 2022.

“It’s off his contest work, which is really good,” Whitford said. “He doesn’t get out-marked in the air, then his follow-up and pressure at ground level is phenomenal for a guy his size.

“The bag of five goals is a reward for his ability to compete and bring our small forwards into the game.”

With Munro and Dunstan dominating the centre clearances, van Rooyen and the Casey forward line continued to feast in the third term.

Riley Baldi was another strong contributor in the middle, while captain Mitch White marked a great return with 20 disposals and a goal..

When Mitch Brown kicked his second goal from a sizzling Adam Tomlinson pass, Casey entered the final break with a 69-point lead.

Joel Smith became a valuable part of the forward line, returning and playing ahead of the footy. Although he didn’t kick a goal, his marking ability and elite field kicking shone.

Corrigan said Smith’s move up forward gave him the chance to become a versatile cog in Casey’s smooth-functioning forward line.

“He had a long injury lay-off, so his diligence to come back and perform the way he did was a credit to himself,” Whitford said. “He got better as the game went on. He doesn’t get out-marked, he’s lively up forward and he’s good at ground level.

“It’s just another dynamic in our group, whether he plays forward or back, we liked what he did up forward today though.”

In another solid final term, van Rooyen marked well and slotted his fifth goal, before some Bedford magic gave him two electric majors as the margin widened.

The Demons finished with a big win as they remain on top of the VFL ladder.

CASEY                      6.3       8.7       14.12   18.17 (125)

BULLANTS              0.1       4.3       4.3       5.4 (34)

GOALS: van Rooyen 5, Bedford, Brown 3, Chandler, Dunstan 2, Laurie, Moniz-Wakefield, White

DISPOSALS: Dunstan 41, Tomlinson, Munro 29, Bowey 26, Turner 21, Baldi, White 20

BEST: Dunstan, Munro, van Rooyen, Bedford, Tomlinson, White, Baldi