With top spot on the line, it was always going to be a tightly contested game between the Tigers and the Demons.

Neither side gave an inch and it was the Tigers who started better with the first 2 goals of the game through Wes Sewell and Joey Summerhayes. However, in a game where neither side could build momentum, the Demons soon hit back to be up by a point at quarter time.

Key targets Laurence Angwin for the Demons and Jordan Doering for the Tigers were missing at each end of the ground. This meant other players had to step up for their respective teams.

The midfield battle was a nil-all draw. The game being won by the team who could make the most of their opportunities when they got the ball forward.

But it was in defence where the battle was won for both teams. Luke Martin and Ben Notting worked tirelessly to cut off many Demon forward thrusts. And in a best on ground performance Andrew Jardine dominated across half back for the Demons.

In a thrilling finish, it was the Demons who have been able to go 4 points clear on top of the ladder.

Woomelang Lascelles will be happy to have taken 4 points and second spot on the ladderin an all attacking game against the Southern Mallee Giants. The Giants need to adopt some of the defensive strategies demonstrated in the Cats/Demons game, if they are to get more wins on the board.

The Cats were given plenty of time and space across the ground. Both teams' midfield players gathered plenty of possessions due to the little attention payed to each other. This worked in the Cats' favour with Jack Shannahan, Pierce Liddle and Arnold Kirby dominant.

Kain Robins was looking dangerous all day, and better delivery could have seen him kick more than the 6 goals he finished with.

It was a bruising encounter in which the Giants came off second best. The Giants had to play out the last quarter of the game with only 16 men. Lachie Foot (concussion), Mark Williams (fractured vertebrae), Riley Botheras (hip), Ben Webster (hamstring) and Zac Robins (chest) were all unable to play out the game. With this the Cats kicked 5 goals to 1 in the last to get home comfortably.

The Giants will welcome a bye next week to recover and hopefully get some players back for round 6.

These results have set the scene for some great battles ahead this season. There is very little separating the top 3 at this stage, and it will be interesting to see who gets the extra chance come finals time.

By Dale Shannon