Kyabram’s young gun footballer Anthony Depasquale played his part in Goulburn Valley League’s first win over Ovens and Murray League for 14 years at Shepparton’s Deakin Reserve on Saturday.
The in-form forward known as ‘‘D-Pak’’ or ‘‘Dipper,’’ Kyabram’s sole representative in the side, kicked three goals in a game in which goals were precious — a total of only 13 were kicked for the game — and helped turn the momentum in the GVL’s favour after the visitors had dictated early and had built a 28-point lead early in the second term.
He also missed several shots on goal and could have had an even more fruitful day, but with 17 disposals, including 15 kicks, was prominent in the win.
For the last half the visitors managed only two goals as the hosts took control on their way to a 15-point win — 8.15 to 7.6 in a grimly-fought affair before a nice-sized crowd.
GVL co-coach Mark Lambourn said Echuca pair Liam Tenace in the ruck and Matthew Lias in the midfield along with Mansfield’s Harry Mahoney on a wing were the key prime movers in the momentum shift in the game.
‘‘Anthony (Depasquale) also did his bit with his three goals, but every GVL player lifted when they had to,’’ Lambourn said.
‘‘We moved Keelin Betson (Mooroopna) into the midfield and he gave us plenty of grunt and Hugh Byrne (Echuca) who played forward and in the ruck were also good.’’
Lambourn said picking a side in which players were familiar with their positions had proved a winning ingredient.
‘‘I was just rapt in what all the players brought. They wanted to play for their club and the league and they did exactly that after a slow start,’’ Lambourn, who praised his co-coach, Echuca’s Sam Reid for his knowledge and tactical input, said.
Speaking after GVL’s memorable win over O&M, its first in that fixture for more than a decade, Depasquale reflected on an elite past month leading into the big stage of interleague.
“It’s good knowing you’re going well, but you always want to test yourself and this came at a good time,” Depasquale said.
“We were up against some of the best today in the O&M; I was more just happy with the win and when the boys are playing well up the field, it’s easier as a forward.
“We got thumped last time I played, so to get the win was special. There’d been a lot of talk that we might get rolled over, so this was one of the best wins I’ve played in.”
· Ovens and Murray was too good in the under-18 clash.
Kyabram had two representatives in the game — Nic Jephson and Oscar Dixon — with Jephson among its best players with 18 disposals with 16 kicks and two handballs and a goal.
Jephson has been holding his own in a key forward role with the Kyabram senior side this season and is one of the many talented players currently in the Kyabram senior ranks.
– with Jesse Robertson-Torres