Trafalgar holds off Lang Lang
Its spot in the qualifying final was never under threat but Trafalgar did just enough to hold off Lang Lang who finished the season in 6th place but two wins short of a spot in the play-offs.
The Bloods, like some of the others that will contest finals, were taking few risks with possible injuries resting several of their key players for the clash at Caldermeade.
Lang Lang had more scoring shots on the day but at the finish it was Trafalgar coming off winners 8-6 to 4-13.
The flag contenders put in a very lack-lustre first half, particularly in the first quarter when favoured by a strong southerly breeze on the exposed Caldermeade oval managed only two behinds.
Lang Lang had the better of the play but also couldn't find the goals ending the term with five behinds.
At half time it was level pegging in a very low scoring contest - Lang Land 1-8, Trafalgar 2-2.
Trafalgar's coach Tom Hallinan wouldn't have been happy with his team's effort when he addressed them before heading back onto the ground.
His players did lift, got well on top and slammed through four unanswered goals in the third quarter to give them a 6-6 to 1-9 lead heading into the final term.
Lang Lang wasn't done but again failed to make the most of their chances with the wind.
They added 3-4 for the term although never really looked like hauling in the deficit while two steadying goals from the Bloods was enough to maintain a 17-point buffer at the siren.
Trafalgar's best were Hayden Brock, Hardy Kenny, Mitch Virtue, Dylan Farrell, Tyson Leys and Sam Wyatt with Virtue kicking two goals and singles scored by Blake Slater, Darcy Brock, Klay Butler, Matt Devon, Sam Wyatt and Connor Dastey.
Better players for Lang Lang were Lachie Barwick, Jackson Ventura, Liam O'Connor, Luke Clark, Sean Dywer and Aaron Rose.
Its goal scorers were Barwick, Brad Harding, Brody Leitch and Tyler Guan.
Reserves
Trafalgar reserves scored a come from behind win to join the club's senior team in a qualifying final appointment next Saturday.
It was a good pre-finals work-out for both teams with Lang Lang to play in Sunday's elimination final.
Like the senior game that followed last Saturday goals were hard to come by, especially in the first half.
Neither managed one in the opening quarter and at half time it was Trafalgar with its nose just in front, 2-3 to 1-7.
Aided by the wind in the third term Lang Lang slammed through four goals to take a 5-9 to 3-6 lead into the final quarter.
But it couldn't hang on, not adding to its three-quarter time score while the Bloods came home with 3-1 to snatch the game by four points - 6-7 yo 5-9.
Best for the winners were Grady McMahon, Harrison Malady, Ben Doran, Karl Mutke, Mitchell Smart and Luke O'Neill.
The goals were all singles, to Daniel Puglia, Brodie Burgess, Malady, Mutke and O'Neill.
Lang Lang were best served Kayden Finlaysmith, Ryan Floate, Mark Penn, Daniel Nicholls, Thomas Brennan and Nathan Perkins.
Rhys Simmons, with two, was the game's only multiple goal scorer, with Perkins, Liam Edgar and Brett Kirkham each booting one for Lang Lang.