TRAFALGAR erased last year's disappointment of being runners-up by taking out the 2009 Mid Gippsland premiership in an emphatic way over Morwell East.
The Bloods belted the Hawks by 57 points, their highest win over Morwell East this season.
According to Mid Gippsland Football League president, Rod Taylor, Saturday's grand final gate takings were more than $25,000, a league record.
The odds were stacked against Trafalgar from the start as Morwell East had the record behind them, with only three defeats for the season.
Although beaten by Trafalgar in the second semi, Morwell East were the pick of the experts.
Morwell East had the wind in the first quarter but it was Trafalgar who exploited the conditions early.
The Bloods' short sharp kicks into the wind were effective but Morwell East were first to score when an overactive Trafalgar defender crossed the mark to give Dave Walker a 50 metre penalty and the first goal of the match.
Trafalgar were getting the ball out of the centre with Leigh Stevens and Chris Kyriacou giving the forwards every chance.
Kye Cherian was an effective defender keeping the Morwell East forwards quiet.
It was goal for goal with Morwell East getting on the board through Luke Pavey and Brendan Evans and it was a tight tussle, but Trafalgar played well against the wind and were able to match Morwell East.
Eddie Lithgow and Matt Reid were strong in defence under pressure.
Despite the wind, Morwell East didn't play its best and only led by eight points at the first break.
The wind increased in the second term which gave Trafalgar a distinct advantage.
They used the ball well with its long kicks giving the forwards plenty of scope to score.
Morwell East were put under the pump and its usual playmakers went missing as Trafalgar slowly applied the screws.
The Bloods pushed forward playing one short in defence and giving the forwards an extra player to score.
Morwell East found it difficult into the wind with the ball being held up.
This gave the Trafalgar talls a better chance to mark or spoil.
The Bloods scored with two 50m bombs from Blake Slater and Mick Farrell and suddenly Trafalgar started to get away.
After six unanswered goals by Trafalgar, Morwell East eventually goalled through Walker on the half time siren.
The Bloods entered the long break with a 21 point lead.
Morwell East were expected to bounce back in the third but Trafalgar opened the quarter with a goal through Brendan Greenwell and the writing was on the wall.
The East were being caught-out under pressure as Trafalgar played and tackled hard.
Advantage free kicks went against the East as some players started to lose their cool.
Tiernan Arbrect chipped in for two goals for Trafalgar as they added five straight to Morwell East's solitary behind for the term.
At three quarter time, Trafalgar had extended its lead to 50 points.
Morwell East recorded only four forward 50m entries to Trafalgar's 12 in that term.
In the last term, play went back and fourth without much purpose.
Trafalgar's Dean Gray was strong in defence as he knocked the ball away from Walker in a good contest.
Morwell East were going nowhere as Trafalgar's short kicks closed up the game for the East.
Anthony Caile and Lithgow tried for the Hawks but the going was beyond them.
When Trafalgar smelled victory coming they slowed down and released the pressure.
Walker scored Morwell East's first goal in more than an hour of play but it was too little too late.
Trafalgar held on to win its first flag since 1995, defeating Morwell East 16.8 (104) to 7.5 (47).
For Trafalgar, Arbrect and Stevens both finished with three each while Walker scored four for the East.
Stevens was awarded the VCFL medal.
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