Lockhart too strong for Henty as Demons close in on the Hume league finals

The Demons' 15.14 (104) to 3.4 (22) victory at Walbundrie has strengthened their grip on sixth place with just two rounds to play.

Lockhart is now in control of its own destiny, especially given that Henty still has to play Holbrook.

"Both teams knew what they were playing for," Demons coach Mitch Carroll said.

"I know there's still two rounds to go but we're both fighting for the same position.

"It meant a lot to the boys and they played really well.

"We've got one hand on it but we've still got a big job to do with two rounds to go.

"You never know what can happen in footy.

"Howlong was a tough game against them last time so we need to make sure we get the job done again (next weekend) and keep moving forward."

Lockhart, playing a home game on neutral soil for the second week running due to border bubble restrictions, took control early with quickfire goals from Andrew Emery and Connor Krebser, who threaded the eye of a needle with a terrific set shot from a narrow angle.

The visitors, with several senior players including coach Heath Ohlin stranded in Victoria, were 15 points down at quarter-time but refused to buckle.

To their credit, the Swampies lifted in the second term and a goal from Shannon Terlich gave the men in red and white hope.

However, a monster kick from Dwayne Weetra kept Lockhart in the driving seat and Ashley Middleton booted a crucial major late in the quarter just as Henty looked to be lifting.

Any hopes of a comeback evaporated after the main break as the Demons raced clear.

Henty's play was littered with errors and every turnover invited more pressure, with Lockhart turning the screw.

The classy Jordan Harrington kicked two goals, going on to finish with five, and Jeff Ladd delivered a superb finish from 50 metres as the Swampies' frustrations began to surface.

The game threatened to boil over at one stage, with three big flare-ups in quick succession, before the coaches called for calm in the final huddles.

It was game over by now and two more goals for Harrington capped a superb individual performance and underlined Lockhart's dominance.

"We were a few men short but we definitely wanted to play better than that," Henty's James Ellis said.

"We thought we had better to give but they were too good on the day.

"We felt we could even have been closer at half-time but maybe that was the inexperience or lack of man power.

"They just blew us away in the second half.

"It felt like we didn't have any trump cards to play and we just couldn't stop them.

"They were very good and scored very easily.

"It has to be a factor (when you're missing players).

"But we're a proud club and we wanted to earn the right to play finals and likewise, give Lockhart the opportunity to earn the right to play finals too.

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"We could easily have gone down the tactical route and said we won't play and that would have made it a higher probability of getting in the top-six but we don't make excuses.

"We want the best result for the club and for the members.

"That's why we thought it was the right decision to play.

"We want to turn up to training and give the week our best shot.

"It makes it a lot harder.

"Mathematically, it's still possible, but you never like being on the Maths equation.

"You want to have the control in your own hands."

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