by Davyd Reid
Neerim-Neerim South maintained its unbeaten status, but Trafalgar showed enough to suggest they will have a challenger for the 2025 Ellinbank District premiership.

The Cats had to work hard to overcome a determined Bloods outfit who at one stage levelled scores in the final term, only to go down 9-13 (67) to 8-6 (54).
The home side had all of the early running but failed to capitalise on opportunities, only having five minor scores for their efforts.
The contest came to life late in the term as Blake Slater found himself on the end of a nice pass to kick the first and give the Bloods the lead.
Eddie McGillivray stabbed one through to win the lead back, only for Jake Roe-Duggan to burst through the pack to give Trafalgar a narrow one-point lead at the first change.
The Cats began the second quarter with a run of four consecutive goals as they lifted in an attempt to take control of the contest.
Tyssen Morrow found a closer option in Darcy Norton, McGillivray found Mason McGarrity who was being well-held by Connor Noonan before Xavier Cox made up for an earlier indiscretion to slide one through.
When Lachlan Guy took advantage of a double 50-metre penalty, the Cats had kicked out to a 20-point lead.
Again the Bloods challenged, Brewster sneaking one through before Isaac Caroleo took advantage of an open forward line to cut the margin to 10-points at the long break.
Kyle Beveridge converted from 30-metres as each side traded blows in the third term, the Bloods closing within a goal on multiple occasions.
Strong hands from Lachlan Bambridge saw the Cats steady, only for Danny Brewster to put through a powerful snap.
Bambridge made good of another opportunity but still the Bloods wouldn't go away, Caroleo throwing it on the boot from 40-metres to see if sail through for just a five-point deficit at the final change.
Ashley Lockett, Bambridge, Kody Wilson, Jack Erickson, Tyler Pratt and Kyson Cornwall were leading the way for the Cats.
For the Bloods it was Jamie Hines, Roe-Duggan, Connor Noonan, Dylan Farrell, Ryan Dyke and Liam Coulthard helping them to take it up to the ladder leaders.
Some strong body work from Slater levelled the scores to begin the final term, only for the Cats to steady with the final two goals of the contest.
Wilson swapped forward with McGarrity to convert from the lead, before Harry Notman set sail for a vacant goal square to ultimately deny the determined Bloods.