IT may not have been the loss Milawa had to have, but coach Nat Semmens is glad the Demons' first defeat of the season came last week rather than in a preliminary or grand final.
After going through the home and away season without a loss, taking out the minor premiership with 17 wins and one draw, Milawa went down to Moyhu by six goals last Saturday.
While it was seen as a shock result by most, in reality it was one that was on the cards given the circumstances.
Last time the two sides met, way back in round six, Moyhu led for much of the match, only for the Demons to finish stronger and get up by six goals.
Since then Milawa has lost arguably its best player in Kate Finnigan.
Finnigan's value can be measured by the fact she placed second in the league best and fairest award despite missing the final five games of the regular season due to pregnancy.
The Demons maintained their winning run in Finnigan's absence, but didn't play any top eight sides during the final five rounds.
"Kate had a phenomenal season, so she is definitely hard to replace," Semmens said.
"I think there were a few nerves going into last week because it was the first really tough game we had played without her.
"But it's given other girls an opportunity we've moved Kyra (Hunt) out to wing attack, and she has done a great job."
While ultimately it was Moyhu's final quarter that secured victory, Semmens said there were some concerns with the way Milawa was starting games, with the Demons down by nine goals at quarter time last weekend.
"We were very sluggish in the first quarter," she said.
"That's been an issue all season we come out and do what we have to do to score goals, but we haven't been doing that bit extra at the start.
"Last week there were probably a few finals jitters not many of us have played a lot of finals.
"But I think there will be a completely different attitude this week."
The Demons are set to face Goorambat tomorrow, and Semmens said there would be a number of crucial match-ups.
"I think they have played quite a bit of netball together they seem to gel quite well," she said.
"Kylie Button is obviously a very good player she won the league medal.
"She plays goal attack and is a very quick and accurate player, but Lauren Conroy is a very athletic defender for us, so I think they will match up well.
"They also have Alli Ellis who is a very strong defender she will probably go to Jami Hunt, who won the Rising Star award and has had a great year for us."
But in the end, Semmens said the result would come down to attitude and application rather than reputations.
"They are a dark horse and they have really pushed the top sides, so it's not going to be easy," she said.
"Our attitude will be to not give them anything.
"We made a lot of mistakes against Moyhu we're not going to do that again.
"You never want to lose, but I'm glad we lost that game and not one later on.
"The positive for us is that we're fit and healthy we don't need the week off.
"Moyhu and Greta will be there watching, so we are going to go out and show those sides we still mean business."
Sunday's A grade semi final sees Whorouly taking on Tarrawingee.
While the Lions will start warm favorites, having won their two clashes with the Bulldogs by a combined total of 53 goals, Tarrawingee isn't without a chance of causing an upset.
BY - SCOTT ANDERSON.
www.nenews.com.au
BIG JOBS: Lauren Conroy is set to play a crucial role for Milawa in tomorrow's semi final clash with Goorambat. PHOTOS: Cheryl Browne
Last Modified on 02/09/2011 15:40