The Bombers jumped their Murray River rivals, kicking the first three goals of the game, and led the hot flag favourites by a handy 16 points at half-time.
But like good sides can — and usually do — Echuca clicked into top gear in the second half, booting 11 goals to Kyabram’s two, including seven unanswered in the third term, to blow the visitors away.
Kyabram’s cause wasn’t helped again by undisciplined acts of frustration that gifted free kicks — and more significantly, easy goals — to the home side, which made its task much easier.
Echuca’s revival was led by former AFL star Andrew Walker, Will Monahan, Logan Prout, Mitchell Wales, Jackson Stewart and Ruory Kirkby.
For Kyabram, it was warhorses in Jason Morgan, Zac Norris, Lachie Smith and Kaine Herbert who showed the way to younger teammates who couldn’t rise to a higher level in the second half when needed.
The strong-marking Smith playing forward early, kick-starting Kyabram with early goals, but was moved to defence, albeit a little late in the third term, when Echuca was cutting loose.
Smith finished the game at full forward and kicked five of Kyabram’s seven goals for the game.
Although well into the twilight of his illustrious career, veteran Morgan never ceases to amaze and was rock solid again in defence. He was best supported by Billy Barnes, who is hitting his straps at the right end of the season.
Ruckman Norris continued his stellar season and had the better of Echuca ruck gun Kane Morris, who also did a lot good work for his side.
Herbert was again busy all day with his tireless work ethic.
Josh Dillon and Mitch Gugliotti as usual never shirked an issue while tall mobile utility Aidan Robinson signalled a return to his early season form at times, which was a bonus for the Bombers.
Unfortunately, Kyabram had yet more injury casualties.
Tough nut Cade Mueller (knee) made an early departure while Nic Denahy (hamstring) Brad Whitford (cramp) and Gugliotti (concussion) all didn’t see out the game. Jake Parkinson was also limited with a knee injury.
The Bombers were well below top strength, but so was Echuca.
For Kyabram, injured key forward Tom Holman and Zac Keogh were rested again, Kyle Mueller was missing after accepting a two-week penalty the previous week on a striking charge while ruck hulk Jake Reeves and Hayden Gemmill were also on the sidelines with injuries.
The Bombers still aren’t certainties to play finals but can go a long way to securing September action after the bye this Saturday when they host struggler Benalla.
My best for Kyabram were: Jason Morgan, Kaine Herbert, Zac Norris, Lachie Smith, Billy Barnes, Josh Dillon.
• Kyabram reserves suffered their first loss for the season after giving away a big start and just failing to peg it back.
Echuca kicked the first four goals of the game in the first half of the first quarter but got only three more for the game as the Bombers worked hard to get back in the game, narrowing the gap to a straight kick at the final siren.
Five of Kyabram’s six goals in the low-scoring affair were kicked by goalsneak Jarryd Pertzel.
Onballers and midfielders in Brodie Easton and Sean Dillon and defenders James Curnow, Will Wild and Luke Donnell led the Kyabram fightback with strong displays, while Stephen Drake and Joshua Wild also did a lot of good work.
• Kyabram thirds put in a plucky display, particularly in the first half, but faded in the second half to be beaten by 40 points.
The Bombers were just two points down at half-time but were let down in the second half with skill errors when Echuca upped the ante.
Kyabram was best served by Riley Gallivan, who was moved from defence to attack for the game and presented at every chance.
Skipper Liam Francis was fearless again and defenders Jordan O’Neill and Ben Railton were dependable.
Oscar Shortis and Darcy Backway across the midfield also got their share of the ball.
• Kyabram’s Under 16s were in front in the dying stages of their clash only to pipped at the post by eight points.
Coach Peter Hall said his young charges just ‘‘ran out legs’’ in the dying stages after a fighting display against the ladder leader.
Tyler Norman in the midfield and Angus Scoble in the ruck were standouts for the young Bombers while Callum Leocata, who kicked two goals, was lively in attack.
Tom Withall was solid all game in defence and onballer Lachy Carver again picked up a lot of possessions.
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