The Demons came under heavy attack from a young and dangerous Daylesford outfit, but had the answers in defence on their way to a 30-point triumph.

Led by the likes of Steve Ryan and Chris Cowan, the defensive division got the pats on the back from senior coach Heath Pyke after the win.

“There was a little bit of a sprinkling through the midfield and up forward, but the back six were tremendous,” Pyke said.

Pyke’s men broke the game apart in the third term, with goals to Grant and Jake Trevenen and Alex Browning helping increase the half time advantage of 11 points to 22 at the final change.

The Bulldogs tried hard in the last term, but were never able to close the gap to under three goals.

“They (Daylesford) played some good footy to be fair and our inability to be accountable at stages probably hurt us in the first half,” Pyke said. “We made a few changes structurally at half time and I probably put the onus back on the playing group a little bit in the second half.”

Jake Trevenen booted three majors in a good display for the Demons, while Joel Mirtschin, Grant Trevenen and Andrew Milroy finished with two apiece.

Jackson Murphy was solid around the ground, while Pyke praised the efforts of backman Matt Geary and young onballer Ben Willian.

Daylesford coach Marcus Goonan was frustrated at the skill errors that cost his side. “We are right in the hunt, but you can’t afford to make little mistakes against good sides because they carve you up.”

Ruckman Sam Winnard had a good game for the Bulldogs, Joel Cowan was lively through the middle and showed class, while Patrick Rowe was busy out of defence.

The loss of defender Toby Hughes to concussion was a blow for the visitors and he appears in doubt for next weekend’s clash with Gordon.

Daylesford remains a game clear in eighth spot on the ladder despite Saturday’s defeat.