Can only seven of the Goulburn Valley League teams make finals from here on in?
As the Goulburn Valley League football season nears the halfway point, the gap between eighth-placed Shepparton Swans and sixth-placed Kyabram is now at three wins.
The round eight match-up between the Swans and the Bombers was a must-win clash for the Bloods if they were to stay within reach of a finals berth in 2024.
Despite only winning two matches from their first seven games, the Swans have been impressive in a tough start to the season, playing five out of last year’s six finalists in the first seven rounds.
The Swans have also faced a heartbreaking run in close matches, with four out of their five losses being by less than one goal.
In Saturday afternoon’s match at Princess Park, the Swans made a bright start against an in-form Bombers (Kyabram had won three out of its past four games), leading 18-7 at quarter-time.
However, the Bombers soon soared back into the contest with the match evenly poised at half-time, 40-33.
Kyabram forward duo Kaine Herbert and Anthony Depasquale were electric for the Bombers, booting five goals apiece for the game.
Depasquale’s (36 goals for the season) hot run of form has seen him overtake Mooroopna’s Daniel Johnston (32) in the league’s goal tally, with the Bombers spearhead kicking 28 majors from his past six matches.
After half-time the Bombers came bolting out of the blocks, kicking two quick goals to take the lead for the first time since halfway through the first quarter.
Kyabram outscored Shepparton Swans 28-13 in the third term, taking an eight-point lead (53-61) into the final break.
A couple of early goals to Depasquale and Herbert pushed the margin out to 17 points five minutes into the final term, with the Swans facing an uphill battle to cut back the deficit at home.
A late goal to Swans gun Zac Clohesy brought the margin back to seven points with a handful of minutes remaining, but the charge was too late as the Bombers ran out eventual winners, 11.7 (76) to 13.11 (89).
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Kyabram’s Joshua Dillon evades a tackle from Shepparton Swans’ Max Clohesy. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 13
Shepparton Swans’ Joeve Cooper flies high for a grab. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 13
Shepparton Swans’ Mason Pedretti hunts the football while chased by Kyabram’s Anthony Depasquale. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 13
Kyabram’s Anthony Depasquale takes a strong contested grab against Shepparton Swans’ Mason Pedretti. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 13
Kyabram’s Mitchell Dodos goes for goal. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 13
Kyabram’s Bailey Tome mid-mark. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 13
Shepparton Swans’ Andrew Riordan goes back with the flight. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 13
Shepparton Swans’ Mark Kovacevic andKyabram’s Aidan Robinson contest the football. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 13
Shepparton Swans’ Ben Gilberto kicked two goals for the game. Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 13
Shepparton Swans’ Lucas Rachele just prior to being tackled by Kyabram’s Kaine Herbert. Photo by Megan FisherImage 11 of 13
Kyabram’s Eamonn Ogden with a booming kick. Photo by Megan FisherImage 12 of 13
Shepparton Swans’ Lucas Rachele scans the field for teammates. Photo by Megan FisherImage 13 of 13
Kyabram’s Bailey Tome catches Shepparton Swans’ Max Clohesy high in a tackle. Photo by Megan FisherFor Kyabram, Jason Morgan, Depasquale and Herbert were among the best in a crucial win away from home in regards to its finals hopes.
Meanwhile, for the Swans, Max Clohesy, Zac Clohesy and Zac Alderton were the side’s best players in yet another tight defeat.
The loss means the Swans are back among the league’s bottom five teams, having only won two of their eight games.
Meanwhile, after a slow start to the season, the Bombers are humming along with five wins from eight matches and arguably have the most in-form player in the league in Depasquale patrolling their forward 50.