Smith’s 11-goal — 11.5 in fact — goalkicking clinic helped boost Kyabram’s percentage to a 16.64 per cent buffer over seventh placed Seymour going into the last two GVL home-and-away rounds.
Smith dominated in a new-look Kyabram forward line on Saturday.
The returning of onballer Zac Keogh also playing forward with four goals and Vic Country Under-18 representative Charlie Barnett with three goals in his first game for the season added more potency to Kyabram’s attack.
And with Aidan Robinson also chipping in with three goals, there were no shortage of goalkickers for the winners.
Tom Holman also returning after injury, made his presence felt, particularly in the first half.
Kyabram lost out in the centre bounces due to the dominance of Werribee’s VFL skyscraper ruckman Tom Downie, and while Benalla went forward from most centre breaks, Kyabram’s defence again stood up even with Smith at the other end of the ground and Jack Seldon missing.
Ageless Jason Morgan was in vintage form and well supported again by Billy Barnes.
Kyabram issued challengers to inexperienced youngsters Anthony Depasquale and Tom Burnett by throwing them into the engine room and they both made valuable contributions along with running machine Kaine Herbert who was at his ball-getting best all day.
Burnett’s was a breakout game and his best so far for the Bombers.
Riley Ironside, Cooper Vick and thirds players Bohden Learmonth and Adam Pulsoni also did some good work, but most Kyabram players made contributions to the win.
Kyabram hopes to have Kyle Mueller, Jack Sheldon, Nick Denahy and Hayden Gemmill all back for this week’s Mansfield trip when it gets the chance to lock-in a certain finals appearance.
My best for Kyabram (in a top team effort) were Lachie Smith, Jason Morgan, Kaine Herbert, Zac Keogh, Billy Barnes, Anthony Depasquale, Tom Burnett and Charlie Barnett.
– With no reserves or under-16 games, the under-18s clash slotted in as the curtain raiser.
Kyabram did the sporting thing and loaned Benalla some players to make up numbers and ensure a game
The young Bombers led from the start and ran out 71 point winners to keep itself in fifth spot on the ladder.
William Burnett at full-forward showed the way for Kyabram with a six-goal haul, while Miller Griffiths and Bailey Pyke with four goals each helped keep the scoreboard tricking over.
Onballers in Darcy Backway and Liam Francis were key play makers, while Jordan O'Neill at full-back and then on the ball, also turned in a top game.
Kyabram has a big test in its next two games meeting fourth placed Mansfield this Saturday and third placed Shepparton Swans in the final round.