Cats claw Bloods in reserves qualifying final
A FAST start helped Neerim-Neerim South control the reserves qualifying final over Trafalgar.
The Cats opened a 26-point buffer at the first change and would ultimately win by 23, 10-13 (73) to 7-8 (50).
The home side looked the better team early as they kicked the only four goals of the opening term.
Harry Notman would show plenty of dash from the wing and he would move forward to run through the first goal of the afternoon.
Matthew Churchill roved the pack and snuck in his shot on goal to send the Cats on their way, adding another two majors ahead of the break to establish an early buffer.
Churchill took the advantage to make it five in a row for the Cats, but the Bloods were able to steady.
While the Cats weren't helped by missed opportunities, Trafalgar steadied with their defenders making better position to begin to take intercepts.
Consecutive goals, finished by a juggling mark and conversion from Adrian Romano, pulled the margin back to give the improving Bloods some chance at the half time break.
Benjamin Doran, Greg Kneebone, Harrison Malady, Jackson Noonan and Mitchell Smart were key players in the re-emergence of the Bloods.
Notman sharked the ball from Trafalgar defenders to open the account in the third term as the Cats re-established control, finding another from a juggling mark to Chris Saunders.
Brodie Burgess scored a nice check side for Trafalgar from the boundary throw in but the Crows responded again, a high ball leading to a free kick for another Saunders major.
Ayden Ramm, Matthew Pecoraro, Notman, Adam White, Christian Robertson-Edgar and Rhys George were leading the way for the Cats as the match petered out, both sides finishing with two goals apiece for the final term.