THE Casey Demons announced themselves as a genuine VFL premiership threat with an ominous 59-point away thrashing of reigning premier Richmond in wet conditions at Swinburne Centre on Saturday.

Celebrating Springvale’s 750th  VFA/VFL match, the Demons jumped out of the blocks with five goals to two in the first quarter and were never seriously challenged, winning every quarter and ending the Tigers’ 10-match winning streak dating back to July 6, 2019.

Despite the conditions, it was Casey’s tall forwards who again proved the difference, with Ben Brown (four) and Sam Weideman (three) taking 13 marks and kicking seven goals between them to prove themselves ready for AFL action should any spots open up in the high-flying Melbourne team.

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Draftee Jake Bowey was dynamic with 26 disposals in his second game, wingman Oskar Baker and experienced defender Neville Jetta again shone and midfield terrier Jimmy Munro had 21 disposals and laid 10 tackles in a typically fierce performance.

Patrick Naish was clearly Richmond’s best with 28 disposals, Callum Coleman-Jones did well in the air with 29 hitouts, 11 marks and a goal and Mabior Chol kicked two goals and took a mark of the year contender in the second term.

Carlton smashed the Brisbane Lions’ 21-match streak in even more emphatic fashion, dealing out a 69-point hiding at IKON Park – the Lions’ first loss since September 1, 2018.

Still smarting from last week’s final-quarter fadeout against Southport, the Blues produced a first term for the ages to pile on a stunning 11.1 in 29 minutes before the Lions troubled the scorers.

Ben Crocker started the carnage for Carlton in the third minute and booted four for the term as the quarter finished at 12.1 to 3.0.

The NEAFL premiers kicked seven goals to two in the second to raise hopes of a miracle with Rhys Mathieson (four) leading the way, while ruckman Tom Fullarton put his hand up for AFL selection with 34 disposals and 18 hitouts.

But Carlton kicked another six in the third to reassert control, Crocker going on to bag 7.1 in a best-on-ground display, James Parsons kicking five goals from 21 disposals and Will Setterfield bouncing back with 25 touches and 10 tackles.

Frankston completed a 2-0 start to the season for the first time since 2001 with a 65-point belting of North Melbourne at Arden St.

The Dolphins kicked four unanswered goals in the first quarter and led by 48 at half-time on the back of five goals from son of a gun Bailey Lambert in just his fifth VFL game and a second-successive 40-disposal game from Nathan Freeman (42).

Tyler Roos ran his own Amazing Race in his first game for North Melbourne – the son of AFL legend Paul racking up 43 disposals and 12 marks to lock in his spot for the rest of the season, with the Kangaroos losing Phoenix Spicer and Matt McGuinness (lower leg) to injury.

Southport went 2-0 with an entertaining 14-point victory over Aspley at Fankhauser Reserve.

With Billy Gowers (five) snagging his second bag of the season, the Sharks had 39 scoring shots to 20 but needed a late goal from Rhys King to shake the Hornets after Connor Stackelberg kicked three in five minutes to narrow the margin to five at the 25-minute mark.

Matt Hammelman booted six goals and Jacob Allison had 30 touches for Aspley, while Jacob Dawson had 34 and Lukas Webb 25 for the Sharks.

Gold Coast broke through for its first win, upsetting Sydney by 14 points at Metricon Stadium.

Will Brodie grabbed 31 disposals and Brayden Fiorini 26 for the Suns, while Dylan Stephens had 32 for the Swans and Paddy McCartin took another eight marks and had 21 touches to follow a nine-mark, 18-disposal game in defence in Round 1.

Port Melbourne came from 23 points down with a nine-goal to one second half to beat Sandringham by 26 points at ETU Stadium, despite an astounding 46 disposals from axed St Kilda midfielder Luke Dunstan.

Williamstown held off Werribee by 11 points at Avalon Airport Oval after leading by 35 during the second quarter, Essendon took full advantage of Collingwood’s COVID woes and a knee injury to Campbell Lane to score a 35-point win at Victoria Park and Emerson Jeka added five goals to his three from last week as Box Hill Hawks overwhelmed the Northern Bullants by 56 points at Box Hill City Oval.

Coburg and Geelong had the bye.

THURSDAY, APRIL 22

GWS Giants 10.3 63 def by Footscray 21.9 (135)

SATURDAY, APRIL 24

Gold Coast 14.11 (95) def Sydney 12.9 (81)

Carlton 24.10 (154) def Brisbane Lions 13.7 (85)

Southport 14.25 (109) def Aspley 15.5 (95)

North Melbourne 5.9 (39) def by Frankston 16.8 (104)

Collingwood 6.14 (50) def by Essendon 12.13 (85)

Box Hill Hawks 17.10 (112) def Northern Bullants 8.8 (56)

Richmond 5.7 (37) def by Casey Demons 13.18 (96)

Port Melbourne 13.14 (92) def Sandringham 9.12 (66)

Werribee 7.11 (53) def by Williamstown 9.10 (64)