Osborne was kept to its lowest winning margin this season as the Tigers stretched their undefeated start to the season to seven wins against Lockhart on Saturday.
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After an uncharastically slow start, the Tigers trailed at the first change but kept the home side to two goals in the remaining three quarters to run out 44-point winners.
In an outstanding defensive display Osborne eventually won 11.18 (84) to 5.10 (40).
Coach Joel Mackie - who was sidelined with a glute strain - rated Lockhart as the Tigers' toughest opponent so far this season.
"It was our toughest game to date," Mackie said.
"They were good around the contest and created plenty of opportunities.
"They certainly had the momentum for a large portion of the third quarter and kicked 1.6.
"If they had kicked a bit straighter it would have been game on going into the last quarter.
"Lockhart probably had the momentum early in each of the quarters but we were able to wrest it back which I feel has a lot to do with our superior fitness."
IN OTHER NEWS
Teenage ruckman Hugh Schmetzer was the Tigers' best.
They boast two developing ruckmen with giant Nick Madden also showing promising signs but didn't play on the weekend.
Young, pacy Tigers Ed O'Connell and Ethan Weidemann also provided plenty of run and carry on both wings.
Declan O'Rourke, Marty Bahr and Will Ryan were other solid contributors.
Ainslie recruit Hayden Armstrong booted four goals to be the most dominant forward on the ground.
Lockhart was best served by Jack Muldoon, Jake Phillips and Jordan Harrington.
The Demons have laid the foundations to snare a finals berth with a 5-2 record ahead of this week's general bye.
However, they face a season defining stretch against Brock-Burrum, Holbrook, Billabong Crows and Rand-Walbundrie-Walla over the next four rounds.
Mackie said the improved Demons would trouble a lot of sides this season, especially at home where they are traditionally hard to beat.
"Lockhart definitely has the potential to get some big scalps in the run to the finals," he said.
"Especially if you let them get the game on their terms, they like to make it a grind and play a contested brand of footy.
"I think everyone is going to benefit from this week's bye and give everybody an opportunity to freshen-up and get over some niggles.
"But I'm happy with our start to the season and have really set ourselves up to finish top-two.
"It gives us the luxury of resting blokes who have got any niggles before finals and we don't have to risk them."
Mackie said he was no certainty to return from his injury after the bye.
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