MILAWA sent shockwaves across the competition after handing the fearsome Bright their first loss of the season in convincing fashion.

After a deadlocked first half, the Demons kicked away after half-time to take the win 17.6 (108) to 11.8 (74).

Milawa had all the momentum early, leading by eight points at the first break, but the Mountain Men reined them back in through the second, a four goal to three term seeing scores even by the half.

The footy was a lot more free-flowing after the break, with goals coming thick and fast at both ends of the ground.

The Demons gained the ascendancy, booting six majors to three to come into the final huddle at three quarter time with a buffer just shy of three goals.

Determined to run the game out, the Demons rallied, slamming on five goals to two in the final quarter, icing the game up forward while standing tall down back.

Milawa coach Matt Graham said it was pleasing to see his squad stand up against Bright’s physical brand of footy.

“The boys put in a massive effort for the day, something was very pleasing with the way we played football – what we trained for, the boys executed,” he said.

“We know Bright are a team who always bring hard, contested football to the game, and we had to match it.

“I feel at times it’s the only way you can play against Bright, is to try and beat them at their own game, and we were fortunate enough that we were able to maintain that pressure for a long enough period of time.

“Standing on the sidelines, it was a nervous game, even up until the last 10 minutes of the game – it felt as though the game could break open.

“It was a slog all day and a really well-deserved win by our boys.”

For the Mountain Men, Cy Banks and Wayland Wales were impressive, while Sam and Zander Dalbosco were impactful across the ground.

Jared Lea was best on ground for the Demons, while Brady Bartlett’s eight-goal haul sees him equal at the top of the goal kicking charts.

“We had some players who were definitely down in first half, who were open and honest about it at half-time that they hadn’t played their best football,” Graham said.

“That included the likes of Braydon Kearns, Harry Allan, Brady Bartlett, even Aaron Law to an extent – all guys who are leaders and know they’re leaders, and they stood up.

“The boys had the option, they could’ve dropped their heads early when we got a couple of injuries, we only had one bench player for basically two-and-a-half quarters, but instead they decided to commit to their role and work hard for each other, it was great to see them get the reward.

“We lost Brandon Fitzpatrick in the first two minutes with a slight hamstring, and Jordan Swain, our ruckman, went down in the first 10 minutes of the second quarter, so Jared Lea ended up taking over, basically rucking the rest of the game by himself and put in a herculean effort, and way our best player by a country mile by the end of the day.”

The Demons sit on top of the ladder with a 5-1 record, and take on Goormabat on the road in round seven, while the Mountain Men are at home to North Wangaratta.

In other games, Whorouly coach Michael Newton kicked 13 goals in the Lions’ 138-point win over Benalla All Blacks, 24.18 (162) to 3.6 (24).

The Panthers were kept goalless until the final quarter, by which time the margin was already out to more than 100 points.

Despite the heavy loss, Benalla’s David Button and Ashton Hillaire performed well, while Lions Jessie Smith, Russ Eden and Max Scott had a massive impact.

In other matches, Greta held off a challenge from a spirited King Valley, coming home 14.15 (99) to the Roos 7.10 (52).

Cody Crawford and James McClounan kicked nine goals between them in the 47-point result, while Sal Bettio and Daniel Young were among the best for the Valley.

Goorambat continued their impressive season with a 57-point win over Tarrawingee.

The Bats kicked away in the second half after only leading by two points at the major break, eventually coming in winners 16.16 (112) to the Bulldogs 8.7 (55).

Goorambat dominated possession after half-time, and moved the ball exceptionally well.

Duane Haebich slotted six goals for the Bats while Victor Butler and Ben Reaburn were solid, with Austin Amery and Sam Piper in the best for Tarrawingee.

North Wangaratta handed Moyhu a substantial loss, coming in 20.14 (134) to the Hoppers 8.7 (55).

The two sides were evenly matched up to half-time, before the Hawks produced a nine-goal third term while limiting Moyhu to just the single goal.

The damage continued after the three quarter time break, a further six goals coming to put the margin out to 79 points.

North Wangaratta's Corey Smith finished with nine goals, while Tyler Nanson, Damien Bradley, and Jhye Devine other multiple goalkickers, while Moyhu's Bailey Zimmermann kicked four goals in a best on ground performance for the Hoppers.