The main interest heading into the final round was whether Calivil United could defeat Bears Lagoon-Serpentine by a big enough margin that would allow the Demons to steal the Bears’ position in the top five.

However, the Bears eliminated any prospect of that by getting off to a strong start before finishing 12-point victors.

The Bears prevailed 12.11 (83) to 10.11 (71) at Serpentine to shore up a finals berth that had looked unlikely early in the season when they started 0-4.

For the second year in a row the Bears will meet Mitiamo in next Sunday’s elimination final to be played at Newbridge.

The Bears held Calivil United goal-less in the first half to lead 4.9 to 0.5 at the main break as the Demons were again slow out of the blocks.

A week earlier they only had one goal on the board to three quarter-time against Newbridge.

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“It was disappointing to start the way we did and it’s those starts that have really cost us over the past month,” said outgoing Demons coach Anthony Dennis, who kicked two goals.

“When you get yourself four or five goals down it’s obviously hard work to get back into the game and, unfortunately, we just haven’t been able to execute the way we wanted to in this past month.”

The Demons – who kicked seven of their 10 goals in the final term – end the season with five-straight losses and by finishing sixth have become the Loddon Valley’s first reigning premier since YCW in 2003 to miss the finals.

And with Bridgewater finishing seventh, it’s the first time since 1994 neither the Demons or Mean Machine will figure in the finals.

The Bears’ victory was led by strong performances from Charlie Gadsden, Josh Walsh and veteran Nathan McNally, while Cody Gunn (four goals) was their leading goalkicker.

“The main focus of the day was not to worry about the margin, just get the win and take the percentage part out of the equation and the boys did a good job,” Bears coach Greg Gadsden said.

“We got on top early in the game and it was just a matter of being able to maintain our form throughout.

“The last quarter was a bit of a let-down when we allowed them to outscore us, but the work had been done and the boys probably took the foot off the pedal a bit, but overall, it was a good result.”

The Demons were best served by ruckman Chris Down, key defender Alex Davis and Jake Lawry.

Newbridge tuned up for the finals series with an ominous performance against Maiden Gully YCW in what was a scoreline that didn’t resemble first playing second.

The Maroons secured their first minor premiership since 2007 with a 21.14 (140) to 5.11 (41) demolition of the Eagles in the first game under lights at Marist College.

“It was probably our first four quarter effort of the year… the boys were fantastic all night,” Newbridge coach Brad Comer said.

“It was really pleasing to hold them to only five goals… the backline has been super all year and was again tonight.”

Newbridge’s Jordan Gilboy (six) – who has won the league goalkicking with 70 – and Sam Mildren (five) kicked 11 goals between them.

The standout for the Maroons was gun midfielder Tommy Horne, while young wingman Jack Clark suffered a hamstring injury.

The 99-point victory ensures the Maroons will hit the finals on an eight-game winning streak and they have now beaten every team this season after they lost their first encounter against the Eagles by 12 points.

The Maroons have next week off before playing in the second semi-final, while the Eagles must regroup ahead of the qualifying final against fellow improver Pyramid Hill at Inglewood.

Wingman Nick Waterson was named best for the Eagles.

Mitiamo rounded its home and away season with a 62-point victory at home over Inglewood.

The Superoos trailed by 16 points at the first break, but kicked 14 goals to two after quarter-time to win 15.17 (107) to 6.9 (45).

Ryan Wellington (four), Tom Grant (three) and Jarryd Wiegard (three) combined for 10 goals for the Superoos, whose best players featured consistent ruckman Michael I’Anson, co-captain Terry Reeves and Wiegard.

The loss brings the curtain down on a season in which the Blues claimed their seventh wooden spoon in the past eight years.

Their sole victory came in round three when they upset Calivil United by five points before they lost their next 14.

“It was disappointing we couldn’t add another win… when the games were there to be won, unfortunately, we didn’t stand up for long enough,” Blues coach Ryan McNish said.

“We’ve been in the games a lot longer this year than we were last year, which is an improvement. We’ve got 11 players on our list who were either in their first or second year of senior footy, so we’ve got to keep adding the blocks together and eventually we’ll get to where we want to.”

Bailey Evans, skipper Shane Harris and McNish, who will continue as coach next season, were the best for Inglewood.

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In a game where only pride was at stake, Bridgewater mowed down a three quarter-time deficit to defeat Marong by six points.

Just like they did last year, the Panthers looked a chance of finishing their season with a round 18 victory over Bridgewater when they led by nine points at the last change.

However, the Mean Machine kicked four goals to two in the final term to get over the line 11.11 (77) to 10.11 (71) at Marong.

The best for the Mean Machine – who will miss their first finals series since 2006 – were Matt Bourke, Jake Rushbridge and Joseph Mayes.

Bridgewater’s Tyler Estrada was the game’s leading goalkicker with three.

The Panthers had good contributors in Bryce Franzini, Will Gadsden (two goals) and assistant coach Jarrod Fitzpatrick.

• WEEK ONE FINALS

Saturday, qualifying – Maiden Gully YCW v Pyramid Hill at Inglewood.

Sunday, elimination – BL-Serpentine v Mitiamo at Newbridge.

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