To the wire: Elite talent in Kyabram’s Anthony Depasquale and Euroa’s Will Hayes locked horns in a tight tussle. Photos: Holly Daniel
Photo by
Holly Daniel
The fighting comeback was present again, but the desired result wasn’t.
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Unlike the previous week when the Kyabram held on grimly in the dying few minutes to beat Rochester in the Goulburn Valley League, this time Euroa prevailed in the edge-of-the-seat climax, winning by three points on Saturday night.
Get the clearance: Kyabram’s Khy Stovell breaks away from the stoppage.
Photo by
Holly Daniel
When Kyabram ruckman Will Burnett calmly slotted a goal from deep in the forward pocket with 11 minutes remaining to hit the front for the first time since the start of the game the burning question was whether the young Bombers could hang.
They did bravely for nine tense minutes, but with two minutes to go, Tristan Davies slotted a goal out of a crowded Euroa goal square to wrestle the lead back for his side.
Despite a few heart-stopping forward charges, one on the final siren, the Bombers couldn’t get the goal or the fairytale finish they had worked so hard for under lights at Kyabram.
When Euroa kicked the first three goals of the second term to build on a dominant but inaccurate first quarter, the Bombers looked to be staring squarely at a sizeable defeat.
But as they had done in the previous two games this season, the young Bombers showed they are not a side to lay down without a fight.
In now trademark fashion, they dug deep, ran hard and got themselves back into the game against a potential top three side.
It was stirring stuff and a credit to the players, some who influenced the revival more than others but most getting on the comeback bandwagon.
Looking to move: Kyabram’s Josh Dillon goes to play on.
Photo by
Holly Daniel
Defenders Jake Torney, Jake Parkinson and Mitch Dodos led the way. They had extra responsibilities when co-defenders Charlie Barnett (concussion) and Riley Ironside (calf) were sidelined before quarter-time.
Warhorse Bomber key defender and marking machine Lachie Smith was also on one leg for a lot of the game to add to the Bombers’ worries.
It was Torney’s best game so far but he had been building towards it.
Jake Parkinson, the hero of the Rochester win, reproduced that form again and is playing in career be form.
Dodos was superb with his long reach thwarting a lot of the Euroa forward moves. He is a real talent.
While these players almost saved the game, it was Liam Ogden, Kaine Herbert, Josh Dillon, Brad Mangan, Anthony Depasqule and ruckman Marcus Khoo who almost won it.
Ogden, Herbert and Dillon were tireless onballers Mangan got himself into one-on-one situations which resulted in his best game for the season and four goals while Depasquale always presented and kicked two goals.
Forcing the stoppage: Euroa’s Lachlan Hill brings down Kyabram’s Liam Ogden.
Photo by
Holly Daniel
Under-18 skipper Nic Jephson also showed again out at times in attack with some good marking but just couldn’t convert his chances.
The Bombers produced another Queensland recruit in Jeremy Griffiths, who went into the game ‘cold’ but showed he can play and looks a player who can hit targets.
Co-coach Corey Carver said Griffiths had been recruited to help out with Kyabram’s long injury list and would be with the club for the season.
Carver was full of praise for his young charge despite the loss but admitted Kyabram’s growing injury list was frustrating.
‘‘Charlie (Barnett) will miss the next two weeks due to concussion protocol, Riley (Ironside) and Lachie (Smith) will also miss this Saturday’s game against Shepparton United,’’ Carver said.
Key defender Jason Morgan (hamstring) will also be missing again along with intercept genius Brad Whitford (knee) who is still weeks away.
But Morrison Medalist Mick Mattingly and utility Aidan Robinson are both expected to make their long-awaited first appearance for the season.
My best for Kyabram were: Jake Torney, Jake Parkinson, Liam Ogden, Mitch Dodos, Kaine Herbert, Josh Dillon, Marcus Khoo, Brad Mangan.
• Kyabram’s reserves hung on to beat Euroa by four points in a dour, low-scoring struggle.
The visitors hit the ground running and kicked the first two goals before the Bombers settled and hit back.
Euroa staged a late fightback but the Bombers grimly held on in the final minutes to collect the premiership points, their second win for the season.
Tireless Jayden Fitzgerald, who rucked almost all game, skipper Will Wild at half forward with four goals and Brenton Brazier with two were also to apply to apply the scoreboard pressure.
Ben Railton on a wing put in his best game for the season and was a key contributor in the win.
The defence was led by David Coulthard who received a lot support from Josh Wild while onballers in Miller Griffiths and Caleb Williams were also busy for most of the game.
• Kyabram’s thirds had their best win for the season so far, winning by 51 points in a dominant display.
The young Bombers were always in control with Danny Miller, Hamish Stewart each with three goals and Jack Doolan with two applying the scoreboard pressure.
Coooper Learmonth also worked to keep the ball in Kyabram’s forward zone.
Doolan was particularly impressive and the most reliable target in Kyabram’s forward line.
Kyabram’s onballers and midfielders led by ruckman James Coulson on loan from Tongala, Chalie Isaac, Lachy Carver and Hunter Fawcett were the players who generated most of Kyabram’s winning drive with top games.
Whether on the ball or in defence, Under 16-player Isaac again made his presence felt and looks like a player with a future.
Kyabram co-coach Peter Ryan was happy with his team’s win, particularly how players used the ball and mainly hit targets.
‘‘That has been a area we had to pick up on and we were pretty good at it on the day,’ he said.
‘‘We were close to full strength so it was a good team effort overall.’’
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