by Davyd Reid
Nilma-Darnum rediscovered some form to claim victory over Catani, 14-12 (96) to 10-12 (72).
The Blues finished with a rush with six final term goals, but the damage had been done as the Bombers kicked out to a 52-point advantage at the final change.
Lucas Maffei, who finished with five goals, passed inside to see Sage Tapner evade two players and find Malcolm Hunter for an impressive start.
Maffei slotted a nice goal from half forward in a run of two of the next three majors, punctuated by a long shot sneaking in for another.
Nick Carrigy converted from a nice contested mark to begin the second term, the Blues responding through a nice running goal.
Brodie Cameron converted from the lead as the Blues mounted a challenge, closing within nine points.
The final two goals of the term re-established ascendency for the Bombers, opening the buffer to 22 points at the long break.
Tapner being assisted off by the runner halted momentum for the home side, who put through the next four goals. They came through various methods, with a running goal from the pocket followed by conversion from a contested mark.
A nice snap capped an impressive third term and when Hunter scored early in the final term, the result was beyond doubt.
Tapner, Maffei, Liam Harman-Dorney, Nathan and Ben Campbell helped the Bombers to a winning position.
Still the Blues did not give up, putting through six of the seven final goals.
Ben Geyer, Dean Smith, Jack Hobson, Adam Splatt and Jordan White helped Catani to a strong finish.
A steadying goal for the Bombers eliminated hope again.
But the Blues finished with the final three majors, including a shot after the siren, to put some respectability back into the score.