REIGNING VFL premiers Footscray proved too strong for the Casey Scorpions at the Whitten Oval on Sunday.

The Bulldogs led at every change and ran out 24-point victors, 15.7.97 to 10.13.73.

Threatening skies managed to hold for the match which was played on a great surface with a three goal breeze blowing to the northern end of the ground.

The home side had the advantage of the breeze in the first term and capitalised taking a 19-point advantage into the quarter time break.

Casey coach Justin Plapp urged the players to be harder in the contest and to get the fundamentals of the game correct in order to get themselves into the contest.

The improvement was instant in the second quarter with Dean Terlich combining with Jack Grimes for a one-two through the centre of the ground before finding Cam Pedersen who marked and goaled for the Scorpions first major.

Jordie McKenzie and Jimmy Toumpas were lifting around the stoppages and Rohan Bail kicked a nice goal to give the Scorpions the momentum.

Pedersen goaled again at the seven minute-mark, winning the ball and snapping truly from a forward 50 stoppage which evened the scores at 3.4 apiece.

From then Footscray were able to halt the Casey ascendency, locking down in the contest and hitting the scoreboard while the Scorpions struggled to get the ball past the Bulldogs half back line.

Jack Grimes sent a brief scare through the Scorpion and Demon faithful, staying down after a typical desperate smoother and tackle. The former Demon skipper, who led the Casey tackle count with nine, was able to get up and wave the trainers off before finishing out the game.

Half time saw the Bulldogs lead 6.4.40 to 3.8.26, a lead which was extended by ruckman Will Minson early in the third term.

But goals from Melbourne recruit Billy Stretch and Casey listed player Ed Morris cut the margin back to nine points soon after.

It was as close as the Scorpions would get as the Dogs slammed on six of the last seven goals of the quarter to lead at the last change by 40 points.

Pedersen booted his third of the afternoon to start the last quarter with the Scorpion midfielders making the most of some rare time and space afforded to them across half forward.

With the Bulldogs content to lock the game down and maintain their lead, the last term was largely void of any highlights until Demon rookie James Harmes pulled down a spectacular mark 25 metres from goal.

Harmes was able to convert which was followed by consecutive goals from Jack Hutchins, the second of which was received after a strong Jake Spencer mark, as the Scorpions were able to reduce the deficit in time-on.

Jimmy Toumpas and Aidan Riley led the Scorpions with 27 and 24 possessions respectively. Both were in the thick of the action for the duration of the game, not only winning the ball but also laying seven tackles each.

Jordie McKenzie and youngster James Harmes gathered 20 touches each and Jake Spencer looked much better taking six marks from his 18 possessions.

Jack Grimes also picked up 18 possessions while Matt Jones finished the game with 17.

The Scorpions will be back in action on Sunday, May 3 when the travel again to take on Essendon at Windy Hill.

Click back to melbournefc.com.au later this week for a round-up by coach Justin Plapp.