Mernda is one match away from the grand final after beating Lalor in the first week of the Northern Football League division 2 finals on Sunday.
But it will be a tough task for the Demons, who face minor premier North Heidelberg in Saturday’s preliminary final after North’s surprise 26-point loss to Fitzroy Stars last weekend.
Mernda and Lalor knew weeks ago they would face off in the opening round of the finals and both came prepared, with only eight points separating them at half-time.
The last time they met, the Bloods touched up the Demons. But Mernda made sure that didn’t happen this time and led at every change.
Mernda coach Brett Wilson admitted to being “a little bit worried” in the final quarter even though his team led by 23 points at three-quarter time at Epping Reserve.
But the Demons did enough to win 17.12 (114) to 13.8 (86).
“It was a really good win as it’s been a number of years since the club has been in finals,” Wilson said.
“[They beat us last time] so we worked on things to change for this match. We were a little more attacking and had a bit more flair.
“They had beaten us in the ruck last time and we looked at our forward structures and worked on denying them the ball on the rebound.”
The game was played how the Demons like it, fast paced.
“It was a free-flowing game and both sides opened it up a bit,” Wilson said. “It was a quick game and that’s how we play our best football.”
Nicholas Brannelly kicked five goals for the Demons and Jack Bianchin was best on field.
“He kept putting his body on the line when we needed him to,” Wilson said.
“Matthew Duggan was really good in the backline and Andrew Oliver was good in the ruck.”
The Demons also had to deal with limited rotations with injuries to Luke Thorneycroft and Adrian Stefanile before half-time.
“One is concussed and the other went to hospital with a cut. I’m unsure about their availability for next week,” Wilson said
For the Bloods, Todd Hughes kicked three goals while Daniel Morrison and Shannon Smith were named best.
