Kyabram Football-Netball Club’s Goulburn Valley League football season is over after a narrow and fighting elimination final loss to Mooroopna at Mooroopna on Saturday evening.
The weakened Bombers almost stole the game when they regained the momentum in the last quarter but couldn’t get the goals needed to secure the win against the quick-moving and well-drilled home side.
Down 21 points at the last change after the Cats had kicked six unanswered goals late in the third term, the Bombers staged a typical trademark fightback against the odds in the last term to all but steal the win.
Two goals early in the term from Brad Mangan and one from ruckman Marcus Khoo after a powerful pack grab had the Bombers within a kick for most of the last half of a tense final quarter. But the goal that would have put them in front after having eight inside 50s more than their rivals for the quarter, frustratingly eluded them.
The Bombers went into the game without their best small man Liam Ogden plus Will Golds, Archie Watt and Nic Jephson.
They then lost star defender Brad Whitford in the first half which put an extra burden on the Kyabram defence led again in inspiring style by amazing veteran Jason Morgan, Kyabram’s best player in the game.
So it was another brave effort from the young Bombers who haven’t shirked an issue all season and are not as seasoned or experienced as some sides in the premiership battle.
Kyabram had its nose in front by a point after a grimly fought first half but the Cats split the game wide open late in the third term with a flurry of goals.
These came after the Bombers, down a man after Josh Dillon was sin-binned late in the second quarter into the third term, had returned to the field.
Apart from Morgan, skipper Aidan Robinson was also strong in defence, keeping danger man, burly Dan Johnson, to two goals.
Kyabram did quite well at the stoppages with hard-nut Bailey Tome, ruckman Marcus Khoo, Kaine Hebert, Jackson Griffiths and Josh Dillon carrying most of the load in determined style.
But Kyabram’s forwards were forced to work hard to try and penetrate the quick-moving and well-disciplined Mooroopna defence.
The Bombers’ ace goalkicker Anthony Depasquale was held to two goals but did miss a couple, and, as expected, was a prime focus for the Cats to have his influence reduced.
But in his last game for the club experienced Brad Mangan was able to put together one of his best games for the season together, booting four of Kyabram’s nine goals.
Bryce Rutherford, Coby McCarthy, Angus Hanrahan, Isaac Dowling, Ben Hicks and Keelin Betson all played well for the hard-running Cats.
Kyabram co-coach Corey Carver said It was disappointing end to the season for the Bombers but he was proud again with the fighting spirit of his players who have an average of under 22.
It certainly hasn’t been a wasteful season for the Bombes and certainly has laid the foundation for optimism for the immediate future.
My best for Kyabram were: Jason Mogan, Bailey Tome, Kaine Herbert, Adian Robinson, Jackson Griffiths, Brad Mangan, Marcus Khoo, Josh Dillon.
Reserves
Kyabram reserves were also eliminated from the flag fight, outclassed by the Shepparton Swans.
The Bombers hung in for a half but the Swans took control in the third quarter to run out winners by 35 points.
With its senior side missing the finals, the Swans were loaded up for the clash with their senior coach Jedd Wright in their line-up.
The Bombers were kept in the game early by the efforts of ruckman Jayden Fitzgerald who bobbed up everywhere and swing man Will McDonell who started in defence and finished in attack.
Unfortunately Fitzgerald didn’t see out the game after a heavy spill in a centre ruck duel but was clearly Kyabram’s best.
Midfielder Thomas Burnett, Bailey White, Bailey Pyke, Tom Bruhn, Danyon Stockdale and Brenton Brasier all did some good work at times for the Bombers but the Swans small men were dominant and freed up the ball consistently from the clinches.
Thirds
Kyabram thirds also bowed out in the first week of the finals, overwhelmed by a bigger and more robust Shepparton Swans outfit.
The young Bombers hung in for a half but the Swans piled on seven goals to one in the third term to set up a commanding 60 points win.
Onballer Cohan Hooper was the pick of the Kyabram players and ruckmen Charlie Isaac and Liam Mason also battled bravely.
Defenders Max (Nugget) Carroll and skipper Oscar Dixon stuck to their guns all game under a lot of pressure and got a lot of support from Josh Francis and Oliver Barnett.
Mobile Isaiah Scoble was a lively forward who kicked the goal of the match and Danny Miller did a lot of good work on a wing.
Despite the loss co-coach Peter Ryan said a lot of the young Bombers had made a lot of progress in their development from early in the season to grab a finals spot and with about half of the side still eligible for next season he believes there was every reason to be optimistic for future.