Hudson Kellett handballs under pressure from Oscar Dixon. Photos: Jordan Townrow.
Who said the Kyabram Bombers may miss its first GVL finals appearance since 2012?
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Those people had to eat a bit of humble pie on Saturday when it stunned warm premiership favourite Echuca in emphatic fashion.
Malik Gordon and Kyabram’s Jason Morgan contest the aerial ball.
The game was played on the Echuca United (formerly Echuca South) oval, and Kyabram negotiated it far more authoritatively than their hosts.
This was a Kyabram win for the ages as most pundits thought this was a game Kyabram wouldn’t and couldn’t win – yes guilty Your Honour!
Reuben Rode takes possession in midfield.
The Bombers got a flying start and defended a four goal first quarter lead bravely to the end of the game.
The anticipated second half comeback by Echuca lasted only one goal early in the third term.
Aidan Robinson goes big.
But no avalanche of goals followed, and it was Kyabram who rallied to do a bit better than hold their own on the scoreboard and actually outscore Echuca in the last half.
Kyabram’s co-coach Corey Carver rated the win up with the best in his time with the club and couldn’t have been prouder than his players and the commitment they produced to snatch the vital win.
Riley Ironside fires forward.
‘’It was a good win and up to some of our efforts last year,“ he said.
‘’We didn’t turn it over as much as we have been and we moved the ball quickly and cleanly.’’
Riley Gallivan, Curtis Townrow, Zac Norris and Harry Milburn all contest the incoming footy.
Kyabram was without utility players Coby McCarthy and Rhys Clark for the game, but gun defender Brad Whitford returned and lively small man Rueben Rode finally made his comeback after suffering a broken bone in his foot earlier in the season.
Most of the Kyabram players chipped in at stages, but a core of consistent natural leaders stepped forward when the whips were cracking to get Kyabram over the line by 20 points, 13.12 to 8.14.
Makai Cronin stretches his legs.
None other than 40-year-old marvel and key defender Jason Morgan was again an inspiration, along with Kyabram’s other most consistent players, onballer Kaine Herbert, defender Brad Whitford and ruckman Zac Norris.
The previous week, Herbert was judged best afield against Tatura to add the inaugural Jeff Cooper Medal to his bulging trophy cabinet.
Herbert’s work ethic is a perfect role model for all inspiring young players.
Aiden Mills spoils Riley Ironside.
Morgan had his right-hand man Brad Whitford back beside him after two matches on the sidelines through injury, and he didn’t miss a beat in his return and plays a brand of football that is as brave as it is entertaining.
Kyabram’s onball brigade, with Herbert dominating and ruckman Zac Norris, alongside other onballers Jack Russell and Rueben Rode, also in the thick of the action, were able to generate the drive to allow Kyabram to kick a winning score.
Cody Walker tackles Cooper Fawcett.
The move of co-captain Aidan Robinson up forward also was a winner, with him responding with four telling goals.
In the last quarter, when switched to defence, he also grabbed some telling marks when Echuca was making a last gasp bid to win the game.
Malik Gordon moves it near the boundary.
But most of his teammates also held their nerve and helped keep Echuca at bay until the final siren sounded.
The win lifted Kyabram into fourth place on the ladder, but it may still have to win two of its three remaining home-and-away games to guarantee itself a spot in the top six and the finals.
The Bombers have to travel to Mansfield after this week’s split round bye and then have appointments with the now lone ladder-leader Shepparton at home before travelling to meet a resurgent Euroa in the last game which could decide its finals fate.
And none of these clashes will be walkovers.
My best players for Kyabram were Jason Morgan, Kaine Herbert, Brad Whitford, Zac Norris, Rueben Rode, Aiden Robinson.
Reserves
Kyabram reserves suffered their third loss for the season in a real arm wrestle with Echuca.
Echuca got a slight break in the first quarter and defended it in a dour, low-scoring affair for the rest of the game.
A couple of late goals blew out Echuca’s winning margin to 21 points.
As the scores indicated, goals were a premium with only a total of seven goals kicked for the match, but the Bombers had their chances but couldn’t convert.
Ky’s best was defender Jackson Barnett who played arguably his best game at this level for the club.
Ruckmen Jayden Fitzgerald and Brendon Brasier again worked tirelessly and mobile onballers, first year player Jack Donaldson and Noah Ryan, continued their rich vein of form.
Late recruit Brodie Easton also stood out again, bobbing up over the ground, and a Mystery Player also made a promising debut for the team.
Riley Carver and Brenton Brasier were Kyabram’s only goal kickers for the game.
The loss was costly for Kyabram, who slipped from second to third on the ladder, with Shepparton taking their spot after a comfortable win over Shepparton Swans.
The Bombers have three winnable games in the remaining three home-and-away matches to get back the double chance.
Under-18s
Kyabram thirds put in a spirited effort against the highly touted unbeaten Echuca side, going down by just eight points, but they held third place on the ladder despite the loss.
Echuca is undefeated, so the young Bombers should have derived a lot of satisfaction from their committed effort in taking it right up to the flag favourite.
The Bombers had many good players who stepped up in the game, particularly James Priest up forward and on the ball and Wil Harrison who starred on a wing.
Echuca boy Van Lowry in the midfield was also good against his old team, and Oliver Barnett gave his usual reliable game at full back.
Mitch Wilson did an effective run-with role on a classy opponent, and Tom Savage gave his usual tireless display in the ruck.
Kyabram coach Mark Patten said his side was in the game until the last couple of minutes, and he was pleased with how his team coped against one of the flag favourites.
Kyabram should be able to hold third place on the ladder in the remaining three home and away games.
Under-16s finals bound
Kyabram’s Under-16 side is on course to finish minor premier in the Goulburn Muray Junior Football League’s Under-16 Division 1 competition.
The Paul Newman coached Bombers have lost only one game for the season and meet Echuca Bombers in the final round at Kyabram this Sunday starting a 1.30pm.
Last Sunday, Kyabram accounted for the Shepparton Bears 8.10 to 5.4.
The Bombers hit the ground running and kicked 6.4 in the first half to 1.2 to set up the win.
Key playmakers were midfielders and onballers Jonty Sefton, Charlie Pekin and Max Stockdale who received good support from defender Xavier Dodos and Ethan Greiner who spent time in defence and midfield.
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