Tara Murray
Mernda was able to quickly bounce back from a poor performance in the Northern Football League division 3 competition, returning to the winners list on Saturday.
With nothing separating the top five teams in the run home, every win is important for the Demons.
On Saturday, the Demons were tested by the Old Eltham Collegians, who threw a few different things at them.
The Demons slowly worked into the game and were able to take control in the second half.
They were able to hit the scoreboard in the final quarter, kicking five goals to none to come away with an 11.9 (75)-8.10 (58) win.
Demons coach Robert Fletcher said it was a good win in the end.
“The boys were a little slow to get going,” he said. “They tried to limit our scoring and put someone behind the footy to slow us down.
“We’re usually a heavy scoring side. It took a while to adapt to that. When we did we were able hit hard in the last quarter.
“We know we have a couple of different gears and we were able to kick top gear in the final quarter.”
Fletcher said they made some positional changes in the second half to try and get the side going.
Nathan Baccega and Zach Racovolis went into the middle of the ground and their hardness at the footy led to a lot more inside 50s.
Fletcher said Baccega has been their best player the last three weeks while Josh Mazzarella was also good.
Kyle Yankos was another player that has stood up the last couple of weeks.
William Crouch was the key target up forward, kicking four goals.
The win has the Demons sit in second spot.
The top three teams are all equal on points, with fourth and fifth are a further game back.
Fletcher said they had five players still out of their team at the moment, but were hopeful of getting most of those players back in the next two to three weeks.
He said with the closeness of the competition means every game is important in the run home.
“We are really happy with where we are at,” he said. “The aim was to play finals and we have probably secured that now with how many wins we have.
“We want to secure that double chance, it helps come finals time.”
The Demons this week face King Lake at King Lake.
It hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Demons.
“They towelled us up there last year,” he said. “They are a good side and even better when they are at home.”
King Lake is coming off a loss to Epping.
The Pingers were able to do enough to come home with the 8.6 (54)-7.6 (48) win.
Old Paradians suffered a 15.9 (99)-6.10 (46) loss to Fitzroy Stars in the top of the table clash.
Lalor suffered a disappointing loss to Reservoir, 18.9 (117)-13.8 (86).
