The Demons’ strong start played a major role in the 14.16 (100) to 9.12 (66) victory with coach Luke O’Keefe saying his team would need to bring the same intensity to defeat Glenrowan this weekend.

They kicked 9.9 to 5.3 in the first half to set up the win.

“They were a good opposition and came at us pretty hard so the boys did well and we were able to come away with a good win,” O’Keefe said.

“We have come up short against Glenrowan three times now all from poor starts, so to start well yesterday was pleasing.”

The Demons were counting on the return of Ray Ussher to shut down the Bulldogs’ leading goal-kicker Hamish Moore and he didn’t let them down.

Moore kicked nine goals in last weekend’s final and has kicked 136 goals this season, but Ussher was able to keep him to just three goals.

“Ray was outstanding against Hamish,” O’Keefe said.

“He kept him to one goal the first time we played them and to three yesterday, which had a big bearing on the outcome.

“We spoke about him a lot pre-game and we said if we could keep him down to five goals we would have a good chance.”

Milawa stepped up the pressure through the midfield with centre-half back John Conroy cutting off the supply to Moore.

Sam Holgate also had a good game on the wing, but it was the fitness of assistant coach Jack Stamp that stood out.

“Jack Stamp was outstanding through the midfield and half-forward,” O’Keefe said.

“We put it on him before the game and his work rate was amazing.

“He has been at the club a long time so we asked for a lot out of him and he really delivered.”