LALOR has moved three games clear in fourth place on the Division 2 ladder with a 25-point win over Diamond Creek in Round 11.
The Bloods held off a late charge from the Demons to record the 12.11 (83) to 8.10 (58) win on a windy and wintery Saturday afternoon.
Todd Hughes was outstanding up forward for the Bloods, kicking three goals. Returning tall Nick Mafilovski and Spencer Christopher also chipped in with two majors apiece.
For the Demons, Simon Buchanan was the only multiple goal scorer for the afternoon with two goals, as his side fell to its first loss under new coach Brian Hardman.
The breeze was a huge factor throughout the match, with neither team able to kick a goal against it throughout the entire match.
Kicking with the wind in the first quarter, the Bloods came out of the blocks quickly and had many chances on goal.
After several misses, Spencer Christopher was able to break the deadlock. His goal seemed to open the floodgates for the rest of the quarter.
The Bloods piled on another four goals, all whilst holding the Demons scoreless, to go into the first change with a 35-point lead.
But with the breeze going against them in the second term, no lead was going to be easy to hold on to for the home side.
The Lalor defence was able to stand up against the barrage of attacks coming their way for the entire second quarter. The managed to hold the Demons to three goals for the term, enabling them to go into the main break 15 points ahead.
The third quarter proved to be very much like the first, with the Bloods piling goals on the scoreboard.
They were able to make full advantage of the strong wind and kicked seven goals for the quarter, while keeping the Demons to just two behinds. Amongst the Bloods’ seven-goal haul were two majors to Hughes as they extended their lead to a game-high 50 points at the final change.
The Lalor defence wasn’t able to hold up as well as it did in the second quarter, as the visiting Demons slotted home five goals in the fourth term.
Diamond Creek kicked 5.5 for the quarter and kept Lalor scoreless. Had it not been for inaccurate kicking, the Demons may have been a chance to steal the game away from the Bloods, who eventually ran out 25-point winners.
Timothy Keily and Scott Dowell were instrumental in the win for Lalor. Keily in particular was able to give his midfielders first use of the ball with ease. Shannon Smith was also superb, racking up a heap of the ball and kicking a goal.
Chris Moloney was outstanding for the Demons off the wing and youngster Nathan Searl also made an impact, managing to also get a goal to his name.
With their place inside the top four secured, Lalor will face Panton Hill at Cracknell Reserve in Round 12. A fifth win in six matches would enable the Bloods to keep in touch with the top two with six rounds remaining.
Diamond Creek meanwhile, will face third-placed Mernda at Coventry Oval, who it suffered a 58-point defeat to the last time the sides met.
Final score: Lalor 12.11 (83) def Diamond Creek 8.10 (58)
