Essendon has secured a gritty two-point win over Casey at the NEC Hangar on Sunday.
The Bombers overcame inaccurate kicking and a late Dees rally to record a 4.13 (37) to 5.5 (35) victory, with a nasty head injury to young star Paige Scott the only concern from an otherwise promising day.
The Bombers shot out to an 18-0 first quarter lead thanks to goals from Scott and Joanne Doonan, which highlighted elite pressure in the attacking half.
Casey fired back in the second term to bring the margin within seven by the main break, with Megan Fitzsimon and Alyssa Bannan winning plenty of ball through the middle.
After solidifying their lead in the third quarter through another Scott major, the Dons were in a healthy position at the final change.
In nervous times though, two late Casey goals forced the Dons to cling to a two-point lead in the final few minutes of play.
It was a collective sigh of relief for Essendon in the end, with the siren coming as the Demons continued to pepper the last line of defence.
Scott ended with 3.3 from 19 disposals in a best on ground display.
Other solid contributors on the day included Doonan, Amelia Radford, and Megan Ryan who continues to relish her role in the ruck.
Essendon will continue their campaign against Collingwood at 11am next Saturday at Victoria Park.
ESSENDON 2.6 3.9 4.12 4.13 (37)
CASEY 0.0 3.2 3.4 5.5 (35)
GOALS
Essendon: Scott (3), Doonan
