Pumas coach Jacob Hamilton said it was a very exciting day for his side, who eventually ran out 11-point winners against the previously undefeated Demons. 

“We went into the game with a really handy team. It was probably our best one that we’ve had all year,” he said. 

Jimmy Dalkin, Josh Day, Austin Hamilton, Joey Dukic and Lynden Brewis all returned for the Pumas while Josh Bywater was a late withdrawal with work commitments. Bywater’s omission meant Daniel Guinane had to step into the ruck and he did so easily, dominating at the centre bounces and following it up with a brilliant effort around the field. 

“Daniel stepped up and dominated from the word go, he helped us win the ruck. Lately we’ve been struggling in that department, so it was good to see, ” Hamilton said. 

Kicking with the breeze, Lismore/Derrinallum flew out of the blocks to lead by 23 points at quarter time before the Pumas responded in the second term to reduce the margin back to 13 points. It was a relatively even contest in the third term and Hamilton felt as though his side was still building momentum. 

“I told the boys (at three quarter time) to keep on pushing, and build on that momentum. That kept happening and in the last quarter, everything went our way.” 

Pumas’ Luke Thomas set the tone in the opening seconds of the final term, booting a long bomb to goal. 

With just five minutes to go and scores level, the Pumas surged forward and Austin Hamilton kicked a major from 45 metres out to gift his side the lead. 

“Everyone got very excited. Whenever we kicked a goal, the whole team just came together and celebrated really well,” Hamilton said. 

It was this intensity that lifted Moyston/Willaura to a 10.14 (74) to 9.9 (63) victory, snapping Lismore/Derrinallum’s 13 game winning streak. Pumas Lachie Hamilton finished with three goals and Matt Peel booted two, while Wayne Loader kicked six for the Demons. 

Glenthompson/Dunkeld cemented its place in the top five, outclassing SM&W Rovers by 12 points while Great Western jumped back onto the winner’s list with an 81-point win over Ararat Eagles. Tatyoon scored a thumping 106-point victory against Caramut, Wickliffe/Lake Bolac was too strong against Woorndoo/Mortlake running out 24-point winners and Penshurst downed Hawkesdale/Macarthur by 35 points.