Gallery: Bombers too strong at home in GVL Indigenous Round clash

By Aydin Payne

Jul 9, 2023

In pursuit: Kyabram's Hayden Gemmill is followed by Rochester's Nathan McCarty. Photo by Bruce Povey

A Kyabram defender continued his impressive year with another standout performance in the Bombers’ convincing 43-point win over Rochester at the weekend.

In wet and wintry conditions at Kyabram, running defender Brad Whitford was again a standout for the Bombers as they overpowered the Tigers in the Goulburn Valley League’s Indigenous Round.

Whitford starred with 20 disposals, at 85 per cent efficiency, eight intercept possessions, six marks and five rebound 50s to be judged best-on for the Bombers.

On-baller Liam Ogden provided quality support as always with a 24-disposal, five inside 50s and four clearance game.

Young forward Anthony DePasquale led the goal-kickers with a classy three-goal performance.

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Throw it on the boot: Rochester's Blake Evans. Photo by Bruce Povey

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On the run: Rochester's Mitch Bright. Photo by Bruce Povey

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Caught: Rochester's Mitch Cricelli. Photo by Bruce Povey

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Quick hands: Kyabram's Kayne Pettifer. Photo by Bruce Povey

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High-flyer: Kyabram's Kyle Mueller. Photo by Bruce Povey

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Winding up: Kyabram's Zac Norris. Photo by Bruce Povey

Rochester struggled to find a way past Kyabram’s stingy defence in the first half, with the Tigers only managing three behinds from 15 inside 50 entries.

At the other end of the ground, the ball entered Kyabram’s attacking 50 a total of 29 times and the Bombers were able to post 8.4 (52) ― a score that effectively put the game beyond doubt.

“I thought the first half was pretty solid, but we probably lacked a bit of intent as the game continued,” Kyabram coach Paul Newman said.

“The conditions were tough, it was raining sideways at one point and it was just one of those games. I’m glad we were able to get through unscathed.”

Newman praised his side’s top performers in the difficult conditions.

“Brad had another great game down back, especially in those conditions, he was really good for us,” he said.

“He looked like he was using a dry footy compared to everyone else. Liam was busy around the ball, I felt like he was our best on-baller. ‘Dipper’ (Anthony DePasquale) kicked three which was impressive in those conditions.”

For Rochester, Joe Atley (26 disposals, 19 contested) gave it everything as usual, while Nathan McCarty (nine tackles) and Reid Gordon (13 disposals, six clearances) was eye-catching around stoppages.