DUMPED Melbourne veteran Bernie Vince collected 25 disposals for the Casey Demons in their eight-point win against Essendon, but knows it might take a while before he returns to the senior side.

Playing at RAMS Arena on Saturday afternoon, Vince also took six marks and laid five tackles.

The 32-year-old has averaged 17 disposals in the senior side, his lowest tally since 2007, when he was at Adelaide. 

He lost his spot in the side to debutant Harrison Petty for Sunday's clash against St Kilda.

"(Melbourne) looked to bring a tall in this week," Vince told Channel Seven. 

"My form probably hasn't been at its best, so I was the first one out, but I'm not giving up yet.

"It might take, two, three, four weeks to get back in but I'll be doing everything I can."

Casey coach Jade Rawlings was effusive about Vince's performance.

"One thing with Bernie, he's such a great person and great character, I had no worries about how he'd be here today for the VFL game. The message he sent me yesterday was all about 'us' and 'we' and what we're going to do, as Casey, so I'm not shocked by that," Rawlings told Channel Seven.

"I thought he played a really good and was calm when we needed him in the last quarter."

The Demons won a tight match by eight points, 8.6 (54) to 6.10 (46).