It wasn’t pretty, but the Demons did enough in a wet and wild game at Casey Fields to emerge with a 16-point win over Carlton.

The game never truly got on Casey’s terms, as Carlton held its own in a scrappy and low-scoring contest in the 6.13 (49) to 5.3 (33) win for the Demons.

Yet Casey’s 17th straight VFL win for the season was one of its tightest yet, as a gallant third term put the Demons in the front seat to win.

Despite beating another VFL contender, coach Mark Corrigan said it was far from Casey’s most convincing win of the season.

“It’s still pleasing though because when you’re challenged like that you have to win in different ways,” Corrigan told Casey Media. “I thought their pressure and strength around the ball was really good.

“For us you need to have that want and will to find a way to win, which I thought we did really well.”

With the rain and wind assuming control at Casey Fields, it immediately became difficult for either team to hit the scoreboard.

Mitch Brown gave the Dees a perfect start after winning a free kick and converting the set shot in the opening minute.

But it would be the only goal for the Demons in the opening term as a single Carlton goal meant Casey took a three-point lead into the first break.

The Blues made their charge in the second term, winning more of the contested possessions and adjusting well to the conditions.

Blake Howes gave Casey the ideal start to the term when he quickly scooped up the wet footy and banged through a goal, before Joel Smith played on and converted a superb running goal to give the Demons a lead.

But the Blues hit back, kicking three straight goals to take a one-point lead into half-time.

In adverse conditions, James Harmes, Jimmy Munro and Mitch White all took control in the latter’s 100th VFL game.

“That’s why if the game is not essentially played the way you like it to be played, those players are so consistent in the way they play,” Corrigan said. “In these conditions they’re strong in the contest and give us an opportunity to get the ball into our forward line.”

Needing a response, the Demons came out tougher and with a better structure in the second half, as a flurry of points gave Casey a slender lead.

It took until late in the third term for the Demons to find a goal, as Bailey Laurie stepped up to the plate.

Laurie first laid a textbook tackle that won a free kick, before he nailed a tough set shot against the wind to kick Casey clear.

Heading into the final term with a nine-point lead, Carlton narrowed the gap in the dour contest with an early goal.

In the worst possible conditions for tall forwards, the likes of Sam Weideman (23 disposals) and Mitch Brown continued to persevere to provide targets in the last quarter.

With Munro ruled out of the game with a leg injury, captain White came to the fore in the middle as he won the footy relentlessly in his milestone game.

Another experienced head in Matthew Buntine was also as reliable as ever in the tough match as he marshalled the half-back line.

Yet when something special was required to break the game open, it was an inexperienced youngster who stood up.

Roan Steele continued his wonderful break-out year, dribbling through a classy goal in the pouring rain to kick Casey clear yet again.

Corrigan said Steele’s composure when it mattered proved crucial in the win, while Howes’s presence was critical in the tight moments.

“They’re so compliant, they study the game and work to get better during the week so it’s no coincidence that it translates on field,” Corrigan said. “Steele has great presence around goals, his finishing and tank are elite, so the longer the game goes he’ll be in it more.

“Howes offers something different. His ability to cover the ground, coupled with his height and ground level work, makes him really exciting.”

Steele’s goal gave Casey momentum, as Bowey stepped up to ice the win late with a beautiful set shot that ensured the Demons won for their skipper.

CASEY          1.4       3.7       4.12     6.13 (49)

CARLTON    1.1       4.2       4.3       5.3 (33)

GOALS: Brown, Howes, Smith, Laurie, Steele, Bowey

DISPOSALS: Harmes 35, White 29, Baker 24, Bowey, Weideman 23, Tomlinson 21

BEST: Harmes, White, Brown, Buntine, Howes, Bowey, Tomlinson