Bloods bounce back
Trafalgar bounced back to account for Poowong in a dour affair, overcoming a late charge to hold on and win 8-6 (54) to 5-9 (39).
After openly admitting Lang Lang were too good last week, the Bloods went to work and if scenes late in the final term were anything to go by, Trafalgar clearly have bigger aims for the season ahead.
Entering the final change 31-points in arrears, the Magpies through caution to the wind and moving Jack Hazendonk forward proved a masterstroke, thrusting the visitor back into the contest in a move akin to Neerim-Neerim South and Kody Wilson in last week's grand final re-match.
With no options presenting, Hazendonk took on the man on the mark for a long goal to begin proceedings in the final term.
He would have a hand in the next two majors, setting up Rory Nettle to run into the open goal before Jake Cochrane converted to help the Magpies close to within 15-points.
Enter Luke O'Neill, who had helped the Bloods take control of the aerial battles around the ground in the second half.
Trafalgar had been getting back in numbers as the Bloods looked to stifle Poowong's run of momentum.
Mitchell van't Hof, coming off a campaign in the Northern Territory, overcame some tiring to also drive the Magpies alongside Micah Williames, Ben Peters, Nettle and Andrew Logan, who continued to intercept deep in defence as is his want.
Yet somehow the Bloods were able to find free numbers on a fast break, finishing in the hands of O'Neill 30 metres from goal.
With the Bloods desperately needing a steadier, O'Neill stepped up to the plate and slotted it through, the lack of celebration humble but bizarre given the context of the game.
Perhaps it's an indication of the Bloods not being satisfied until they can overcome the leading teams and mount their case as a serious contender.
Cochrane would put through a late consolation goal, but the Bloods had done enough to hold on.
Earlier the Bloods worked their way to a comfortable buffer, their usually miserly defence keeping the Magpies to just one goal to three-quarter-time a significant factor.
Brayde Bosman put through the only goal of a first quarter struggle that went just 21 minutes.
The margin opened in the second term as the Bloods put through four goals to one.
Klay Butler converted from in front before Matthew Swenson marked strongly over his opponent.
Damien Mann converted from a short pass before turning provider to Jordyn Baker.
Poowong were competing well, only for connection and execution letting them down.
A soccer from Williames found Mitch Molloy who kicked truly from 40 metres to close out the first half.
The third term proved just as much a struggle as the first, Butler converting on the siren for the only major of the term.
Dylan Gauci, who had played a role on Hazendonk, Klay Butler, Maclan McInnes, Dylan Farrell, Baker and Connor Noonan helped the Bloods to a comfortable buffer before O'Neill put an end to the Magpies' final quarter charge.