One of the Canberra Demons' most stirring wins in recent memory will count for little after their slim NEAFL hopes were dashed by a team three hours north.
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The Demons stunned the finals-bound Aspley Hornets 19.12 (126) to 12.9 (81) at Manuka Oval on Saturday.
But it will not be enough to bolster Canberra's unlikely finals bid after sixth-placed Sydney University booked their ticket to sudden death football with a 19-point win over the Redland Bombers.
Even so, the Demons managed to score a resounding victory over the Hornets in the absence of captain Aaron Bruce (broken arm) and ruckman Josh Maynard (ankle injury).
Riley Corbett bounced back from a stint in AFL Canberra in emphatic fashion with five goals.
Canberra will now set their sights on the final game of the season against the Redland Bombers in Queensland next week.
It looms as the club's final chance to farewell Sam Martyn and Ben Halse after the pair announced their retirements from NEAFL football.
AT A GLANCE
NEAFL round 20: CANBERRA 19.12 (126) bt ASPLEY 12.9 (81)
Goals: Canberra: R Corbett 5, T Faul 2, J Powell 2, J Harper 2, H Carr 2, M Maguire, L Meline, C Owen-Auburn, R Pollock, G Richardson, M Hardie. Aspley: C Stackelberg 3, W Murphy 2, J Spencer, C Stackelberg, B Batchelor, J Freeman, J Hayden, D Henderson, J Lipscombe.