Mernda held off a fast-finishing Lalor in their Northern Football League division 3 clash on Saturday.
The Demons looked the better team throughout the first three quarters, having started strongly with 11 scoring shots to one in the first quarter.
With a 20-point lead at three-quarter time, the Demons still looked favoured for the win with the Bloods failing to kick a goal in the third quarter.
The Bloods, though, had other ideas, kicking three goals to one in the final quarter.
The Demons did enough to hold on and win 10.12 (72)-9.13 (67).
Timothy Blacker and Jesse Owens-Draper kicked two goals each for the Demons, while Jace Williams kicked three for the Bloods.
Joshua Delaney was named the Demons’ best in the win. The win moves the Demons to 4-1, with their only loss a close one in wet conditions.
The Demons’ premiership hopes received a boost, with the club announcing the return of Rohan Davies. Davies, who played on Saturday, is a dual Northern Football League best and fairest winner, claiming both the division 2 and division 3 awards.
In other division 2 matches, Heidelberg West had an easy win against Reservoir, Laurimar was too strong for Kilmore and Panton Hill defeated St Mary’s.
In division 1, Bundoora lost its third straight match. Whittlesea was also on the losers’ list on Saturday, going down to Hurstbridge.
In division 2, Epping and Thomastown both had close losses against Fitzory Stars and Banyule respectively.
