Bloods claim cup
TRAFALGAR held Yarragon goalless in the first half to set up victory in the battle for the Waterloo Cup, the Bloods winning 9-7 (61) to 6-2 (38) despite the Panthers dominating the second half.
An early centre square infringement sent the ball Trafalgar's way through Dylan Farrell, but Yarragon's defence held up well in the early stages.
The Panthers took a slow build approach from their defence, with play concentrating on the clubroom wing for much of the first term.
The Panthers attempted attacks by virtue of switches to the outer wing, Trafalgar's defence equally up to the task in an early defensive battle.
The Bloods went forward for consecutive minors before finally breaking through for the first major, as Jac Butler and Daniel Baker combined to see the home side take the length of the field.
Yarragon's best chance came through Mitch Jolly, but his attempt to create something from nothing with a mid-air soccer sailed out on the full.
Forward pressure resulted in Trafalgar's second major as the Bloods heading into the first change leading by 13-points.
The home side made their move in the second quarter, booting four goals to nil to open a handy 39-point buffer at the half.
Curtis Barker converted one of his three majors from a push in the back, before Farrell drifted forward to convert from a strong mark.
Talls Farrell and Maclan McInnes were causing headaches for the Panthers, as were the fleet of foot players as Dylan Gauci put through a goal on the run.
The Bloods were beginning to win more of the ball and it was showing on the scoreboard, Daniel Baker converting a snap on the run to increase the lead heading into the long break.
Yarragon changed its method after half time, adopting a more attacking style. And it paid dividends, the Panthers booting five goals to three in the third term to remain in the contest.
A left foot snap from Liam Smith-Butterworth put the Panthers on the board, only for the Bloods to provide an immediate response.
Yarragon gained a turnover from a missed handball, only for a desperate smother to set up another Trafalgar attack and goal.
With the result slipping away, the Panthers made a final charge.
Smith-Butterworth gathered from the back of the pack to roll through his second, before Jolly set sail with a long running goal.
The pair was in the action again soon after, Smith-Butterworth snapping from the boundary throw in before Jolly quickly played on to make it four on the trot for the Panthers.
Tyler Payroli, Harrison Perry, James Harvey and Tyler Hotchkin were also prominent as the Panthers came back into the game.
However the likes of Mathew Devon, Grady McMahon and Blake Radford would help the Bloods steady, Devon kicking a great goal from the flank to just about put the result beyond the Panthers' reach.
A dour struggle ensued in the final term, a late consolation goal to Smith-Butterworth following a juggling mark the only major.