Mernda overcame Hurstbridge and former AFL star Chris Tarrant for a solid 27-point away win in Northern Football League division 2 on Saturday.
With all the attention on the former Collingwood and Fremantle player, the Demons leapt out of the blocks quickly, silencing the home crowd with a five-goal-to-one first term.
While the Bridges eventually came at the Demons, the visitors held on to win 16.20 (116) to 12.17 (89).
Demons coach Brett Wilson said his team knew how important it was to get off to a good start.
“We kept chipping away. It was at their home ground and a huge game for them with Chris Tarrant playing,’’ Wilson said.
“I think all the players knew how big a game it was for Hurstbridge, and they wanted to not let that play a part.”
Wilson said the game was won through the contested ball, with the Demons amassing their highest total this season.
But while the solid start held the Demons in good stead, not everything went to plan, with the club’s strategy for Tarrant (three goals) thrown out the window.
“Nathan Miles was on Tarrant. He got a corkie early in the second term and left us one short on the bench,’’ Wilson said. “Matty Duggan, to his credit, stepped up and did a really good job.”
Next week, the Demons play Diamond Creek, which defeated Lalor 17.10 (112) to 7.11 (53).
In another division 2 game, the Fitzroy Stars were too strong for Epping, winning by 40 points, 17.11 (113) to 10.13 (73).
In a top-of-the-table clash in division 1, Heidelberg led from start to finish against defending premiers Bundoora, winning by 36 points, 15.8 (98) to 9.8 (62).
Whittlesea remains winless, with Greensborough far too strong for the bottom-of-the-table Eagles, 25.15 (165) to 8.8 (56).
In division 3, an inaccurate South Morang beat Parkside 14.24 (108) to 11.8 (74), while Reservoir defeated Heidelberg West 17.5 (107) to 7.4 (46). Thomastown had the bye.
