It was joy for South Morang and disappointment for Mernda in the final round of the Northern Football League’s division 3 season.
Three teams were fighting for the fourth finals spots, and the Demons were the unlucky ones to miss out.
In the final round, they faced South Morang (Lions), who knew they needed a win to cement a finals spot.
The Lions have been the form team in the run home and showed why they will be the outfit no one wants to face in finals.
The Lions led early and were never headed, winning 24.14 (158)-12.8 (80).
Wayne Pavitt kicked four goals for them, while James Hewson was judged best on ground.
Joshua Delaney was the leading goalscorer for the Demons with three.
The result saw the Demons slip from the top four for the first time this season. They finished equal on points with the third-placed Lions and fourth-placed
St Mary’s, who defeated Kilmore in the season’s final round.
Demons coach Jason Ford announced after Saturday’s game that he would be stepping down as coach.
Meanwhile, Epping sealed second spot with a win against Banyule
In division 2, Lalor tasted victory for the first time since round six, beating Thomastown.
No more than two goals separated the two teams at any of the breaks, and it was the Bloods who ran out the game the better.
Trailing by three points at three-quarter time, the Bloods had a massive 12 scoring shots in the final quarter.
Kicking 5.8 to the Bears’ 3.2 in the final quarter, the Bloods won 15.18 (108)-14.9 (93).
Todd Hughes kicked five goals in the win, while Nicholas Watts was best on ground.
Jacob Osei-Duro was the best of the goal kickers for the Bears with three goals.
Meanwhile, Bundoora ensured its finals spot with a 19.10 (124)-8.10 (58) hammering of West Preston –Lakeside in division 1
Gary Moorcroft kicked four goals, while Dominic Nixon was best on ground.
Going into the final round, the Bulls are fourth on the ladder.
