I'll say the same to St Pats, if you want that premiership, we've got our hands on it, you've just got to come and try and get it off us.
- Colin Lockhart
Lilydale's 2019 season has been unblemished so far with only one thing missing from the resume - the premiership.
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Premiers in 2017 and hot favourites to go back to back last season before injuries derailed their campaign, the Demons' attack on the flag has had a different feel to it this year.
"We've struggled with depth for the last three years so we didn't go out and get the best player in the competition, we went out and got blokes that would suit our needs, the players we've got and the way we want to play," coach Colin Lockhart said.
"Most of all we got quality people, not idiots, not loudmouths - just people who want to play football."
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Their recruitment, trademark pressure and mentality within the unit has driven the Demons to become the first side since their opponents' 2015 team to go through the season unscathed with Lockhart welcoming Saturday's challenge.
"We folded a little bit last year. We were probably favourites and we got a massive lot of injuries late in the year so we knew there was a target on our back and we've treated every game like sides are coming at us.
"We've challenged that - I've openly said 'just come and get it. If you want to knock us off - just keep coming.' I'll say the same to St Pats, if you want that premiership, we've got our hands on it, you've just got to come and try and get it off us."
Read up on St Pats' preview HERE
A two-time premiership player at the club himself with wins in 1992 and 1994, Lockhart said adding another to that list as a Demons coach would mean the world to him.
"I went out there in '92 and played in a premiership with my brother, played in a premiership in '94 with both my brothers and just love the place.
"Both of my brothers were the more gifted ones so I would be other the moon if I could get a win as coach."
With dangerous forward Billy Tuckerman waiting in the wings after recovering from a broken leg at the start of the year, Lockhart and the Demons made a gutsy selection call, welcoming him back at the expense of Louis Shepherd.
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Josh Partridge
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
