Tullamarine may have lost its top-of-the-table clash with West Coburg in Essendon District Football League’s division 1 on Saturday, but the Demons are already focusing on a likely rematch in the finals.
The Saints were cleaner with the ball in the 11.12 (78) to 8.11 (59) victory at Shore Reserve.
But with Tulla second on the ladder and three games clear of third with four rounds to go, another meeting with the unbeaten Saints is almost certain in the first week of the finals.
Demons coach Ash Manning said he kept some of his plans in the bag on Saturday.
“We have some things in store for them come finals time,” he said.
“We didn’t want to show them everything and have nothing left for the finals.
“We’re going to finish second and have to play them first week of the finals, so we didn’t go out with guns blazing.”
Manning said the Saints were the better side on the day.
“It was a physical contest in wet and greasy conditions, which kept scores low,” he said.
“Their use of the ball was better. They hit targets and we struggled coming out of defence and in the midfield.
“They were better around the ball with their stronger bodies in the midfield.”
Ruckman Adam Scott was best for the Demons.
“Will Becker was also good; he loves these conditions and Tommy Delaney also played well,” Manning said.
He said the focus ahead of the finals would be finding the team’s best 22.
“Hopefully, we have a full list as our depth isn’t that great,” he said.
“We have to work out who’s in our best line-up and who can beat West Coburg and then fine-tune what we have to do.”
In other results, Westmeadows bounced back after losing last week to beat Hillside 14.14 (98) to 10.14 (74).
The Tigers were behind by eight points at half time, before kicking seven goals to one in the third quarter.
Craigieburn again fell short in the final quarter, this time against Glenroy.
The Eagles were one point ahead at three-quarter time but kickd only one goal in the final term to lose 11.9 (75) to 7.10 (52).
In division 2, Roxbourgh Park continued its winning run against Jacana. Nothing separated the two teams all day, but the ladder leader held on to win 7.12 (54) to 7.6 (48).
