Bloods win cup from persistent Panthers
THE battle between Trafalgar and Yarragon for the Waterloo Cup didn't disappoint, with the home side only kicking away late to overcome a persistent Panthers side.
In positive signs for the building Yarragon side, the Panthers kicked out to an eight-point lead early in the final term before the Bloods kicked into gear.
The home side booted the final six goals of the game to win 12-7 (79) to 8-2 (50).
Before the Bloods made their late charge, each side traded blows in an entertaining match to watch. The match between the rivals became willing at times, keeping the umpires on their toes who intervened with 50 penalties at times.
The wide expanses of the Trafalgar ground suited the running Panthers side, the likes of Leigh Diston regularly finding space on the outer wing to set up opportunities.
Still Trafalgar were able to make the most of their opportunities to remain in the contest.
The Panthers scored first through a flying shot from a boundary throw in before a rebound from Matthew Van Schajik found Blake Slater for the immediate response.
A big mark in the middle from Matthew Swenson set up another opportunity as Trafalgar went to the lead.
Damian Allison and Tyler Hotchkin combined through the middle as the Panthers levelled the scores again.
A mark in the pocket and smart finish with a checkside on the siren from Matthew Devon threatened to be the fire starter for the home side, but the Panthers responded early in the second term through a short lead from Harrison Perry.
A running shot saw the Bloods kick clear, only for a double 50 metre penalty gifting Devin Pollock the easiest of goals from the goal square.
A tunnel on a Trafalgar player raised their ire but they would ultimately be rewarded as another double 50 metre penalty resulted in a goal to Blake Radford, the Bloods heading into the sheds with a nine-point advantage.
The sides continued to trade goals in the third term, Perry finding space over the back to reduce the margin for Yarragon.
A left foot snap from the pocket made it consecutive goals for Yarragon, only for Trafalgar to respond with a long goal.
A strong mark gave the Panthers a narrow twopoint advantage at the final change and when Perry waltzed in for the easiest of goals, the Bloods not bothering to man the mark from another 50-metre penalty, an upset loomed.
Tyler Payroli, Sage Tapner, Zak Hogton and Taylor Rainey featured among the Panthers' best as they looked to finish full of running.
Unfortunately, it would only spark a brutal response from the Bloods, who began to win the ball out of the middle and gain territory.
Swenson, who would finish with three majors, sparked the response before the Bloods rolled one through from the pocket to take the lead.
Dylan Farrell, Mitch Virtue, Damian Mann, Van Schajik, Tristan Marslen and Devon were among the players to stand up when it counted.
From there the Bloods were never headed, Mann marking on the lead and converting to continue the run at the 14-minute mark.
He added another through a diving mark soon after and when Van Schajik charged through the middle to set up another, it ensured there would be no response from the Panthers.
Swenson made good of a second opportunity from similar range as he added the Bloods' 12th into time on, the home side finishing 29 points to the good despite a very competitive effort from Yarragon.