IN THEIR first game at Casey Fields for 2023, the Demons soared to a 42-point win over the Bulldogs to take out the Hampson-Hardeman Cup.

The Saturday game marked 10  years of the much-loved tradition, with Melbourne hosting the Western Bulldogs at its south-east home for the special match.

In warm and windy conditions, the two pioneer teams battled it out and despite the visitors bringing the pressure, the Dees walked away with their third win of the season.

“[I] was really pleased with the team’s ability to work their way through the game,” Mick Stinear said post-match.

“I think defensively we probably had some lapses, and the Bulldogs were able to score a little more freely than we would’ve liked.

“But throughout the course of the game, I thought the team did really well - strong in the contest, looked good with our run and carry, our execution in the forward half and we did well to put a good score on the board.”

The Bulldogs headed into the game with no wins on the board for the season, meaning their attack at the contest was unrelenting.

But the Demons fought through the game and were able to push a 14-point lead (the difference at the last break) to a 42-point victory.

Stinear said his team’s defensive system was hit the hardest during the tough match, with consistency in that system a focus moving forward.

“Our attention to detail was under a little bit of fatigue, rather than just relaxing a little bit and not giving them opportunity,” Stinear said.

“They move the ball really quick, we knew that coming into the game, but I think it was [about] being better at our defensive method for longer.

“But it’s a tough competition, teams are going to score against you…but [it’s about] just trying to stay engaged for a bit longer.”

Melbourne will now head down to Frankston to face Hawthorn in its first official game against the 2022 expansion side.