For the first five minutes it appeared as though the pre-season hype and talk hadn't been understated.
Despite the absence of coach and star recruit Sam Kerridge because of an elbow injury, White Hills tore the Lockington-Bamawm Cats apart with four unanswered goals and the success starved Demons' faithful could sense something special.
However, the only thing that was special for the remainder of the match was Lockington-Bamawm United.
By quarter-time the Cats had grabbed the lead before proceeding to kick 19 goals to five in the final three quarters.
Their surge included a 10-goal final term as they cruised to an emphatic 25.11 (161) to 10.7 (67) win.
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"We didn't start well. White Hills brought the intensity to the contest and we weren't ready for it,'' LBU coach Kahl Oliver said.
"After the 10-minute mark of the first quarter we kicked 23 goals to six, so it was a pleasing response."
After White Hills' initial onslaught, the Cats' aggression at the footy and pressure was too much for the Demons to handle.
The Demons' defensive structures were continually cut open and LBU's classy front six did the rest.
Lachlan Collins bagged seven goals, Jarod Bacon gave the Demon defence the runaround and kicked five goals, and Jacob and Paddy Gardiner combined for five goals.
The domination started in the middle where ruckman Tyler Phillips, Nathan Bacon and Zeik Johnston had a huge influence on the game.
Fraser Monahan was given the job of tagging former Carlton player Jed Lamb and, apart from a couple of classy Lamb cameos, the Cats' player did his job well.
"I was actually going to play Faser on Kerridge,'' Oliver admitted.
"Fraser always knew he was going to get one of the two. I don't think Jed had a huge impact on the game."
The Demons named defender Anthony Bigham, Mitch Dole, Pascale Craig and James Avery as their four best players.
Kerridge's elbow injury could keep him out of the Demons' next game against Mount Pleasant on Good Friday.
Kerridge was unavailable for comment on Sunday.
Former coach Brent Millar, who led the Demons for parts of their pre-season program, said it would take time for the new-look side to gel.
"Lockington is a good outfit. They were four or five points off playing in a semi-final last year and they've only improved from then, so we knew it was going to be a tough day,'' Millar said.
"Seven guys played their first game for the club, so at least we know what we've got to work with.
"Not having Sam Kerridge for the game made a huge difference to the way we structured up. When your best player is not playing that throws you into chaos a bit.
"Jed Lamb copped a heavy tag and we didn't look after him properly. That was disappointing from an internal point of view."
The Demons have the bye next week, while the Cats host Heathcote.
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