Preview: Euroa and Kyabram bolstered by key returns

The home side welcomes back a plethora of standout performers, with onballer Ben Giobbi slotting in for his first game of 2023, while forward Tristan Davies, Jack Frewen and Murray Bushranger Darby Wilson all return.

Euroa coach Scott Rowan was thrilled to have those four important players back at his disposal for clash against the Bombers.

“Cohen Paul comes out this week due to the Bushies needing to rest him, but we bring in four handy players,” Rowan said.

“Benny comes in for his first game and I know he’s going to love playing with Will (Hayes) in the middle.

“Ben missed the first few games through suspension but he had been training for his debut boxing fight so he’s super fit.

“Tristan and Jack come back from injury and Darby comes off a rest — he’s a really exciting talent with a bunch of x-factor.”

For Kyabram, Newman was excited to welcome back a club stalwart.

Mangan, a premiership player with VFL outfit Williamstown, makes his first senior appearance for the Bombers since injuring his knee in round seven against Euroa last season.

The damaging forward has booted seven goals from his two reserves hit outs this year.

“Brad will play this week and we’re super excited to have him back after he’s missed the bulk of the past two years through injury,” Newman said.

“He will help straighten up our forward line; we haven’t been as efficient going forward as we would have liked.

“He’ll give Tommy (Holman) a bit more support and help out our mid-sized forwards.”

Kyabram hasn’t been leading the way in scoring efficiency in 2023 and sit sixth with an average of 41.8 a game.

Euroa is averaging 48.2 for its scoring efficiency this year.

Euroa, boasting a dangerous forward line in Erish Uthayakumar, Jett Trotter and Davies, averages 15.2 marks inside forward 50 per game.

The Bombers are third in the competition for inside 50 entries and average 13.2 marks inside their forward 50.

On the other hand, Kyabram’s defensive group has been outstanding in cutting off opposition teams moving the ball forward.

The Bombers are ranked first in the competition for intercept marks.

Lachie Smith, Jase Morgan and Brad Whitford occupy the top three for most intercept marks per game.

The Bombers also rank first for contested marks with 17.8 per game, compared to Euroa’s 10.4 per game.

Rowan highlighted Kyabram’s defence as one area of the game that needs stopping on Saturday.

“They’re obviously a very talented and well-coached team and we’re expecting a massive challenge on Saturday,” he said.

“I don’t reckon there would be a better mark in the comp than Lachie, they’re well-equipped down back.

“They’ve got a game plan that we think can match up really well with them and we’re excited for the challenge.”

An eye on the contests around the ground will be fascinating with Euroa ranked third for hard ball gets while Kyabram sits 10th.

When it comes to loose ball gets its a little different and Kyabram is ranked second with Euroa in third.

Euroa’s ex-AFL star and one of the in-form player’s in the competition, Will Hayes, leads the comp in disposals and the former Western Bulldog and Carlton midfielder averages 37.5 a game.

Newman said there will be a directive to limit Hayes’ output.

“I’m sure all five past clubs have tried different ways of stopping him but he seems to still be performing strongly,” he said.

“Great players will always impact games but it comes down to more how much you can nullify their impact.”