by Davyd Reid
An explosive final term of five goals to one helped Trafalgar prevail over Ellinbank, 13-8 (86) to 7-11 (53).
A high scoring opening term that saw eight goals between the two sides in a frenetic start quickly turned into a real arm wrestle, both sides just managing three goals apiece across the middle periods of the match.
With Rhys Salter and Ryan Atherton key outs for Ellinbank, the Eagles used the opportunity to blood some more promising young players.
Jhy Good and Jack Cole came into the side and were able to hold their own along with fellow young gun Hugh Cunningham.
Matt Devon converted from a free kick, Blake Slater kicked truly from playing on before he was back in the action, hitting up Kyle Beveridge as the Bloods kicked out to an early lead.
Ellinbank found Logan Joyce unmanned inside the forward 50 to get the Eagles on the board.
Danny Brewster drilled a goal, Cambell Jolly responding with a goal on the run.
Trafalgar's connection between midfield and forward helped their early advantage as Danny Brewster steered through their fifth.
A scrambled goal from Riley Butters brought the margin back to 12-points as Ellinbank worked their way back into the contest.
Michael Urie and Jolly combined as Ellinbank further closed to begin the second term.
Klay Butler and Devon helped the Bloods steady as the Eagles missed opportunities, putting in a return of 2-7 for the term.
Isaac Caroleo centred to Liam Coulthard to increase the slight buffer, only for Ellinbank to respond through Lachlan Pratt to close the margin to eight-points at the final change.
Jake Harper, Cole, Ryan Taylor, Bryce Joyce, Good and Alex Olsen led the way to keep Ellinbank in the contest.
Led by Slater, Jake Roe-Duggan, Butler, Beveridge, Coulthard and Devon, the Bloods stood up when counted in a final quarter surge that would deliver them the result.
Strong follow up work from Dylan Farrell and Dylan Gauci saw Coulthard find Slater for the valuable first goal.
Good transition again saw Roe-Duggan convert before consecutive goals to Caroleo pushed the margin beyond five goals.
The Eagles added their seventh at the 13-minute mark, but the damage had been done as Butler capped a strong game with his second major.