The 14.14 (98) to 12.7 (79) win extended the Demons’ unbeaten run to the season and, more importantly, gave the Brent Millar-coached side confidence that it can compete with teams expected to challenge for top three berths.

“It’s nice to get a reward for the effort the boys have put in,’’ Millar said.

“Without disrespecting Elmore and Heathcote, we weren’t really sure where we stood after the first two rounds.

“To come up against a club that we see as one of the big four, and win, is a nice feeling.”

Huntly was coming off a 25-goal drubbing at the hands of North Bendigo and looked on track for redemption when it grabbed a two-goal lead at the main break.

However, White Hills produced its best quarter of footy for years when it slammed home eight goals to two in the third term to open up a  match-winning 23-point lead.

“We thought at half-time we had controlled enough of the game, but we hadn’t capitalised on the scoreboard,’’ Millar said.

“The boys were sensational in the third quarter. Everything seemed to go our way. To kick eight goals in a term against quality opposition was very pleasing.”

Ryley Dickens, Mitch Curtis and Hayden Wright were best for the Demons, while Sean Christopher kicked four goals to take his season tally to 20.

Huntly sits on the bottom of the ladder with a 0-2 record after three rounds.

The Hawks were best served by Daniel Paterson, Rhett Sutton and Tom Skewes.

Heathcote celebrated its first win under new coach Luke Bell.

After a tight first three quarters, the Saints blew Lockington-Bamawm United away in the final quarter, kicking eight goals to one to in 14.13 (97) to 6.14 (50).

“We got some momentum early in the final quarter and we ran with it,’’ Bell said.

“We won the ball at the stoppages and hit our targets in the forward line.

“It was great for everyone around the club that we got a win.  Getting some reward for the effort that’s been put in is really important.”

The Saints’ key players stood up for the club, with Daniel Carroll superb off half-back, Jake Condon was a ball magnet through the middle and Bell kicked four goals.

The Cats, who were left frustrated by wayward kicking, had better players in Liam Main, Sam Wolfe and James Woodland.

Matt Perri bagged 10 goals to lead Leitchville-Gunbower to a commanding 124-point win over Mt Pleasant.

The Bombers had 14 individual goal kickers in the thumping 26.12 (168) to 7.2 (44) win.

Perri, Matt Ladson and Matt Pollock were best for the Bombers, while Ben McCleary, Nick Edwards and James Walsh tried hard on a bad day for the Blues.

In the final game of the round, Colbinabbin edged out Elmore 15.10 (100) to 11.11 (77).

Colbo kicked five goals to two in the first term and then held the Bloods at arms-length for the remainder of the match.

Natthanial Nixon, Tom Hill and Sam Vale stood out for the Hoppers. Jack Hayes, Mack Whittle and Joe Harney were Elmore’s best players.