Taylors Lakes matched it with Tullamarine for three quarters, before the Demons proved too strong in the final quarter of the Essendon District Football League division 1 match on Saturday.
The two sides traded the lead in the first three quarters at Lionheart Reserve, with the Demons three points ahead at quarter-time and the Lions hitting back to lead by 12 at half-time.
The Demons started to take control in the third quarter, before running away with it in the last to win 13.15 (93)-9.8 (62).
Thomas Brown (two goals) and James Vistarini (three) were among the best for the Lions.
Hillside rebounded from last week’s loss to Craigieburn with a vital win against Oak Park.
After trailing at quarter-time, the Sharks hit the lead in the second quarter and then extended the lead in every quarter to win 17.9 (111)-11.9 (75).
Mohamed Taleb kicked four goals for the Sharks and Jackson Volpato was best on ground.
The win takes the Sharks above Oak Park and back into the top four. The Lions are seventh, two games outside the top four.
In premier division, Keilor overcame a scare from West Coburg to record a 10th win of the season.
West Coburg, eighth on the ladder, pushed Keilor all the way at Shore Reserve, but the Blues’ class got them over the line 20.12 (132)-19.11 (125).
Luke McGuane kicked six goals in a best-on-ground performance.
Keilor Park returned to the winners’ list in division 2, thrashing Burnside Heights on the back of nine goals from Kirk Wintels.
The Devils won 22.17 (149)-3.8 (26) to stay in finals contention. They are sixth on the ladder.