Paddy Ryder has inched closer towards his senior return, piecing together a prominent display in an otherwise dour day for Sandringham this afternoon against Casey.

The 34-year-old played the better part of three-and-a-half quarters in what was his first competitive outing since Achilles soreness sidelined him for the last four matches of 2021, finishing with 26 hit-outs, seven marks and a goal in the 21.13 (139) to 8.9 (57) loss at Casey Fields.

Ryder lined up for 13 out of 33 centre bounces – the remainder of which, bar one, were taken by mid-season rookie Max Heath (19 hit-outs) – after starting the first and second terms in attack, but his efforts over the ground weren’t enough to swing momentum in Sandringham’s favour. 

Casey had complete control in the 30-degree heat, with their clean use and unrivalled movement across the ground the perfect channel for Mitch Brown to deliver an unstoppable seven-goal performance. The key forward was one of five multiple goalkickers for Casey, ramming home three straight majors in the final term to easily establish himself as the most influential player on the ground.

Although bolstered by 16 AFL-listed players opposed to Sandringham’s nine, the Demons proved too much to contain after quarter-time as the floodgates remained open with little resistance.

VFL MATCH CENTRE: View all news, stats and videos from Round 1 

Timely goals interrupted the home side’s commanding stretches throughout the match, but never posed a real challenge as the Zebras struggled to find consistency forward of centre.

Despite Sandringham tightening the screws after half-time, it was only momentary as easy opposition goals with minimal pressure – compounded by unforced turnovers deep in defence – only strengthened Casey’s unassailable lead.

Marcus Windhager (23 disposals, five clearances) and Mitch Owens (20 disposals, nine tackles) battled hard against leading ball-winners James Munro (26 disposals) and former Saint Luke Dunstan (25), but couldn’t stem the Demons' class around stoppage.

Sixteen of Windhager and Owens’ touches came in the final term, while a busy Leo Connolly – playing off half-back – racked up eight of his 20 for the day in the opening term. Ryder's work in the air and work rate down back was just as important for Sandringham, with the veteran ruckman finishing his comeback game as the highest-rated Zebra on the ground.

Jarryn Geary (18 disposals) started on the wing before being forced into defence as the margin ballooned out, while Dean Kent (one goal) finished the game on the bench with ice on his quad.

Sandringham will return to Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval next Sunday to face Richmond.

CASEY  4.2  11.5  16.8  21.13 (139)
SANDRINGHAM  2.3  5.3  6.7  8.9 (57)

GOALS
Casey: Brown 7, Bedford 3, van Rooyen 3, White 2, Laurie 2, Chandler, Weideman, Woewodin, Dunstan
Sandringham: Geary, Lohmann, Kent, Carey, Ryder, McHale, Henness, Kyle

BEST
Casey: Brown, Dunstan, van Rooyen, Munro, Baker, Daw
Sandringham: Ryder, Windhager, Connolly, Owens, Heath, Geary, Seaton