Despite missing eight regular senior players, the Demons were never seriously challenged to win 20.17 (137) to 9.14 (68).

The visitors were without utility James Paton, Troy Cooper, Dave Hansen, Cody Edwards and Brad Graeber.

But Jarrod Cass, Jack Geddes and Matt Squires stepped-up in their absence and provided great drive from defence.

Geddes especially was a tower in defence winning a host of contested possessions while restricting in-form Roo spearhead Ben Carey to two goals.

Demons coach Andrew Reid was relieved to emerge with the four points in what is considered the toughest road trip in the competition.

“Both sides were missing key personnel and we headed to Tumbarumba expecting a real danger match,” Reid said.

“But it wasn’t the case.

“We had to play five ressie blokes including two debutantes in Matt and Ed Damm.

“So it was good for the future of the club that a couple of locals were able to come into the side and we still managed to win.”

The Demons sit second with a 4-2 record and play league heavyweight Bullioh after this week’s general bye.

The blockbuster clash is set to determine the most likely challenger to the undefeated Cudgewa later this year.

“We just need to worry what we’re doing and the results will look after themselves,” he said.

“We just need to start stringing together four quarters of football.

“We also haven’t been starting matches well but we did on the weekend and it makes a huge difference.”

In other matches, Cudgewa extended its unbeaten start to the season with an 81-point thumping of Federal, with coach Bill Deery bagging eight goals.

Bullioh spanked Border-Walwa by 142 points.