September starts early for the firing Canberra Demons

The Demons have risen from obscurity to become genuine premiership contenders following an eight-match winning streak that has them on top of the NEAFL ladder for the first time in history.

Their resolve cannot be questioned after they knocked over the Northern Territory Thunder in the Top End with a stirring come from behind 16.12 (108) to 12.15 (87) victory to celebrate Aaron Bruce's 50th game - the first Demon to hit the mark - last Saturday night.

A win in the Territory showdown has Canberra one win clear at the top of the table but the run home is as tough as they come.

If anyone is capable of cleaning house, it's the Demons. They're a picture of perfect recruitment - an unlikely group coming together from the capital and the Riverina, that have bought into the Canberra mentality to stun their highly fancied rivals.

They are the epitome of a quote from championship-winning college basketball coach Ben McCollum: There's natural rules that are set up that aren't ever written or spoken. It's just, "this is how you act"... I don't have to tell you to open doors for people. That's what you do. You don't really have to set rules. The culture sets the rules.

This Demons side wasn't supposed to trouble many having been easybeats for years. Now they will look to silence any last doubters over a month-long stretch that has them pitted against the other four teams in the NEAFL's top five.

They will face Southport away, host the Sydney Swans Reserves at their new base at Phillip Oval, travel to Blacktown to tackle Sydney University, then finish the regular season at home against Aspley.

But player-coach Klemke wouldn't have it any other way - they'll have to beat them all come September, so the Demons might as well start now.

"For us, finals start after the bye. They're some good challenges and I think it is exciting at the same time," Klemke said.

"We’re looking forward to the challenge, Southport killed us in the first round and we really want to make up for that and show we’re a different side from then.

"That’s why we need to get it right, the way we’ve played over the last few weeks, I don’t know that would get us over the line against the top sides.

"It’s exciting that we’re on top but we also know we’ve got a lot of work to do if we want to finish there at the end of the season, especially over the next four weeks, it’s going to be massive."

The evolution of Canberra's emerging crop of youngsters has been a huge boost to their premiership ambitions.

Demons star Mitch Maguire sits on top of the NEAFL's most valuable player award rankings as the voting goes behind closed doors - he did himself no harm against the Thunder with 34 disposals and eight clearances.

The in-form MVP candidate is one of a staggering five Rising Star nominees on Canberra's books this season alongside Alex Paech, Mitch Hardie, Angus Baker and Jarrod Osborne.

No other club can even lay claim to three Rising Star nominees - two is the next best tally, shared by fellow finals contenders Southport and Sydney University.

"It’s just a good place at the moment, we’re really excited with where we’re at. It’s good but we’ve got a lot of work to do still," Klemke said.

Canberra will resume their raid on the minor premiership against the Southport Sharks at Fankhauser Reserve on August 4 following this weekend's bye.

THE RUN HOME

Round 17 - Bye

Saturday, August 4: Round 18 - Southport Sharks v Canberra Demons at Fankhauser Reserve, 12pm.

Saturday, August 11: Round 19 - Canberra Demons v Sydney Swans Reserves at Phillip Oval, 12pm.

Saturday, August 18: Round 20 - Sydney University v Canberra Demons at Blacktown International Sportspark, 12pm.

Saturday, August 25: Round 21 - Canberra Demons v Aspley Hornets at Phillip Oval, 12pm.