The Demons kicked five unanswered goals in the first quarter before comfortably claiming the 12.13 (85) to 4.8 (32) victory – their 18th consecutive win as they went through the 2012 season as undefeated champions.
It was the first of two premierships for the day for Mernda with their senior team also victorious – albeit a little more emphatically in a 93-point triumph over minor premier Panton Hill.
For the Demons reserves, Shaun Silman and Shane Martin each kicked three goals and had support from Christopher Keller who slotted two goals of his own.
Up the other end, it was all singles for St Mary’s with Craig O’Neill, Joel Benson, Joshua Doherty and Marc Hopper all kicking one goal apiece.
The first quarter went all Mernda’s way as it able to stay strong in defence to hold St Mary’s scoreless.
The Demons continually won the ball from the stoppages and gave their forwards first use of the football.
In receiving so much delivery, the forwards were able to give their side a 33-point point buffer at quarter-time and from there the Demons weren’t going to be run down.
Rain started to come down at the beginning of the second quarter and it limited scoring, with St Mary’s kicking the only goal for the term while holding Mernda to just four behinds.
Mernda took a 5.3 (37) to 1.2 (8) lead into the long break as the rain started to come down even more heavily.
When the sides got back out on the ground the conditions were poor but it didn’t show with the skill level of both sides great.
Both teams were able to get the ball into their forward line regularly but Mernda was able to extend its lead to 41 points at the final break on the back of four goals to two for the quarter.
Both sides wanted to finish off their season well but it was Mernda who ran out the game on the greater note, taking the 53-point win by adding three goals in the final quarter.
Josh Wuelfert was named best on ground in the post-match presentation following an outstanding performance.
The atmosphere at the ground was electric with huge support for both sides given Mernda’s seniors were also playing on the day and also because it was the first Grand Final appearance for St Mary’s since joining the NFL in 2010.
Celebrations continued all day as the reserves side watched their senior team romp victory over Panton Hill with a 12-goal to one second half.
Mernda will now look to next season in Division 2 and will look to step up its game even further as it looks to have another shot at the premiership.
Final score: Mernda 12.13 (85) def Panton Hill 4.8 (32)
