Kyabram’s downward spiral continued on Saturday when a faster and more decisive Mooroopna inflicted its second successive loss and fifth defeat of the season on the home side.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The Bombers were in the tussle again until the concluding stages, but were outplayed when the result was in the melting pot.
After Kyabram hit the front with 10 minutes remaining in the clash, the Cats rallied to kick the last three goals of the game and go on to a 15 point win 15.8 to 11.17.
As the scores indicated, Kyabram had more scoring shots on goal but didn’t maximise their chances at the goal front as well as their rivals.
The Bombers were also far too hesitant at times with their decision-making, and the Cats had superior leg speed for most of the contest.
The one thing many of the current Bombers have to realise is that they have to step up a rung or two to save Kyabram’s season.
The Bombers no longer have the luxury of a bulging list of senior players when down on numbers and unless their fringe players lift, and lift a lot, the Bombers will continue to struggle.
On Saturday, 40-year-old Jason Morgan returned along with Aaron Hayes and thirds player Charlie Isaac, but they didn’t have the impact the Bombers needed.
The Bombers also promoted dual Nathalia premiership player Ash Quinn for his first senior game.
Again, it was defender Brad Whitford and ruck ace Zac Norris who tried their hardest to inspire their Bomber teammates.
Whitford was again impassable on a back flank and got support from the returning veteran Jason Morgan and Cooper Vick, but the Cats’ pace and play-on style regularly caught out the Kyabram defence.
Norris had an absorbing tussle in the ruck with Mooroopna’s Keelin Betson in probably the Kyabram big man’s toughest match-up for the season, but was a tireless warrior all day.
Coby James and Reeve Evans were also outstanding for the Cats, who freed up the ball at the stoppages more effectively than the Bombers.
Apart from Whitford and Norris, on ballers Kaine Herbert and Riley Ironside got their share of possessions but too many players had no influence at all in shaping the final scores.
Josh Dillon, Jack Russell and Jack Sinclair did some good work at times and Anthony Depasquale kicked five goals to hurt the Cats on the scoreboard but frustratingly missed some easy shots on goal again.
The Bombers meet battling Benalla this Saturday and will need to be at their desperate best to resurrect their season, which is fast slipping away.
My best for Kyabram were Brad Whitford, Zac Norris, Anthony Depasquale, Cooper Vick, Riley Ironside and Jason Morgan.
Reserves
Kyabram reserves went on their winning way with another percentage-boosting triumph.
The Bombers took control early and built a 28-point quarter time lead into a 113 points smashing by the end of the game.
Riley Gallivan led the goalkickers again, with the former defender booting four goals, while Will Wild, Lachy Carver and Sean Dillon were also multiple goalkickers in the resounding win.
Big man Brenton Brasier led from the front in the ruck for Kyabram while defender Max Caroll and on baller Jack Donaldson also made valuable contributions in what was another top team effort.
The win keeps Kyabram in second place on the ladder, a game behind the unbeaten Echuca who has not lost a game this season and is the only side to have lowered the Bombers’ colours.
Under-18s
Kyabram thirds led at every break, apart from at the end of the game, in a one point loss to Mooroopna.
The young Bombers' inaccuracy at the goal front proved fatal, as they had five more scoring shots and more of the general play than their rivals.
Mooroopna joined Kyabram in third place on the ladder on equal premiership points with their win but the Bombers have a far superior percentage.
A notable ‘in’ for the Bombers was Hamish Stewart, who has been playing senior football with Stanhope and could be a key player in the team’s bid to play finals.
In Saturday’s clash, Bomber forward-onballers Isaiah Scoble and Jedd Turpin tried hard to get Kyabram over the line, with Scoble kicking three goals in the tight contest when resting up forward.
Tyler Doolan was busy all day in the midfield and Oscar Carver at centre halfback was again the pick of the defenders with strong support from Dylan Priest.
Cooper O’Neill was also active in the Bombers' forward line on his return to the side.
Kyabram coach Mark Patten said the Bombers lost because they were ‘‘outplayed in the key moments of the game.’’
There will be no rest for the young Bombers either this Saturday, tackling Benalla at Benalla, a side only two premiership points away from Kyabram on the ladder.