Lake Wendouree came on top in the battle of the undefeated teams against Darley in the Ballarat Football League on Saturday.
Having set the benchmark this season, the match-up didn’t disappoint with an even contest for much of the day.
Eight points was the biggest margin at any of the breaks, with the Devils holding the narrow lead each time.
The Lakers found another gear in the last quarter, kicking 5.6 to 2.6 to seal the 12.12 (84)-9.17 (71) win.
Harley Inglis kicked three goals for the Devils, while Mark Hanson and Chris Graham kicked two goals apiece.
Kyle Docherty, who kicked nine goals last week was restricted to just one goal.
Jackson Carrick and Tom Evans were best in the loss.
Compounding the result was a hamstring injury to playing coach Heath Scotland. Scotland has been one of the Devils best this season. The Devils slip to second on the ladder and now are only percentage ahead of third placed Bacchus Marsh.
The Devils have the bye this week.
Meanwhile, Devils skipper Shane Page and Brian Graham have been named in the initial Worksafe AFL Victoria Country Senior representative squad to take on the Victoria Amateur Football Association.
Bacchus Marsh pair Jarrah Maksymow and Scott Sherlock have also been named in the team. All four were part of the BFL side that defeated Bendigo Football League in a thriller in their interleague clash.
Bacchus Marsh’s Hamish Coulton and Jacob Wheelahan and Melton’s Lachlan Walker were named in the under-19 team which will also play a VAFA side.