Bloods claim reserves bragging rights
TRAFALGAR steadied late to answer a fourth quarter challenge from Yarragon in the match of the round in the Reserves to win 13-8 (86) to 10-6 (66).
The sides traded the lead throughout the first half, the Panthers leading by six-points at the first change before the Bloods turned the tables to lead by the same margin at the half.
Five goals to three in the third term and then the first goal of the final term saw the Bloods open a handy buffer.
Trafalgar's depth had been coming to the fore, players with senior experience such as Angus Templeton and Karl Mutke among the best.
Heath Darcy would finish with four goals and it was a snap from the pocket to inspire Yarragon to one final charge, the Panthers adding two more to bring the margin back to eight points.
Jarvis Wheller was also a threat, finishing with three majors, while Daniel Burke, Oliver Marek, Chris Chalman, Clayton Bawden and Christopher Demicoli also kept the Panthers in the contest.
The Bloods steadied with the final two goals, Benjamin Doran, Daniel Puglia, Tom Tuck and Brady Heywood also among their better players.
Top team Ellinbank put in another strong performance to comfortably account for Buln Buln, 13-6 (84) to 4-4 (28).
A second quarter blitz of six goals followed by five majors in the final term set up the result, Tony Wright finishing with four goals.
David Miller, Justin Tylee, Tim Leicester, Sam
Barwick and Lachlan Elliott were also prominent.
Buln Buln's better players were Jacob Pickthall, Josh Bloink, Bryce Monahan, Simon Dawson, Patrick Smythe and Brent Waddell.
Poowong opened up a 25-point quarter time lead and were never headed, comfortably accounting for 13-13 (91) to 4-2 (26).
Mitchell De Kleuver booted five goals with Reece Attenborough, Gary Miller, Adam Miller, Jake Lewis and Kyle Aitken also prominent.
The Bombers were best served by Harry Moore, Corey Wright, Paul Alger, Justin Dessent, Adam Cameron and James Clark.
Neerim-Neerim South booted a remarkable 32-15 (207) for a big win over Nyora, who managed 1-2 (8).
Toby Bayne filled his boots with 14 majors, his opportunities set up by the likes of Rhys George, Adam White, Harry Notman, Chris Saunders and Eddie McGillivray.
The Saints were best served by goal kicker Shaun Lamb, Lincoln Brock, Heath Clarke, Luke Tagliaferro and Jake Jennings.
Longwarry also broke the 200-point barrier, thrashing a struggling Catani 36-9 (225) to 1-4 (10).
Leigh McDonald booted 12 goals while Peter Harrison and Tyler Van der Heyden shared 11 majors between them.
Bailey Osseweyer, James English, Josh Bourke and Matt Kouris were also prominent.
The Blues better players were Kishan Sharma, Edward Gebar, Shane Kerr, Darryn Jenkins, Kaleb Boyle and Zac Shepherd.