Come from behind finish for Bloods
TRAFALGAR pulled off a miraculous come from behind effort to pinch defeat from Lang Lang in the Reserves.
In a match that featured significant momentum shifts, the Bloods stormed home to win 9-10 (64) to 9-8 (62).
A five goal second term saw the Tigers gain control and a 17-point buffer before the home side responded, closing the margin to just three points at the final change.
The Bloods had the better of a tense finish, adding two goals to one to finish a close contest.
Brodie Malady, Hayden Brock, Harrison Malady, Grady McMahon, Mitchell Smart and Mathew Devon led a strong second half effort to help Trafalgar across the line.
Leading the second term charge for the Tigers were Brett Kelly, Jack Sullivan, Bryce Fraser, Aaron Cocker and Mark Penn.
Other matches were one-sided affairs, with Poowong keeping Nyora goalless on the way to winning 6-11 (47) to 0-7 (7).
Both sides struggled to convert opportunities, with the Magpies leading at half time 1-7 to 0-4.
An improved second half saw the Magpies steer through five goals to secure the points.
Mitchell De Kleuver, Gary Miller, Benjamin Schulz, Jerome Cawcutt and Brian Jefferis set the win up for the home side.
Creating the opportunities for Nyora were Sam Collis, Rhys Cupid, Trent Breen and Lincoln Brock.
Ellinbank scored a workman like victory over Neerim-Neerim South.
The Eagles opened an early 16-point buffer and gained slight advantage across the final three terms to win 8-9 (57) to 4-5 (29).
Thomas Bingham, Justin Tylee, Darren Blaney, Jayson Barwick and Sam Barwick were the better players for the home side.
Leading the way in a competitive effort from the Cats were Rhys George, Adam White, Matthew Pecoraro, Harry Notman, Christian Robertson-Edgar and Mathew Churchill.
Longwarry controlled its contest with Nilma-Darnum from the outset, establishing a 29-point advantage at the first change.
Five goals from Harrison Stephens led a consistent performance from the Crows, who won 18-14 (122) to 4-0 (24).
Other better players were Ryan Wouters, Brody Hamilton, Shaun Eckhardt, Christiaan Dauphin and John Werner.
The Bombers were able to hit the scoreboard in pleasing signs, but overall the Crows were too strong.
Corey Wright, Harrison Moore, Brandon Rose, Garry Hallam and Boeden Fries were the better players in a determined effort.
Catani were competitive early before Yarragon kicked away for a strong win, 23-9 (147) to 2-7 (19).
Jesse Hayhow led the charge with seven goals while Corey Binzer added five, an 11-goal final term seeing the Panthers finish strongly.
Ben Damschke, Samuel Perry, Nathan Mazza, Daniel Burke and Jarvis Wheller were also among the best.
Adrian Fry, Joshua Bethune, Casey Hamilton, Josh Miller, Darren Adams and Blake Ellis were the better players for Catani.