Kyabram has delivered a Goulburn Murray Junior League preliminary final shock.
On Sunday morning, at Euroa’s Memorial Oval, the Bombers dominated Tatura to secure a spot in the under-16 division one grand final.
The Bulldogs finished second on the ladder at the end of the home and away season, but were knocked out in straight sets following losses to Shepp Notre Bears Gold in the qualifying final and Sunday’s preliminary final defeat to Kyabram.
The Bombers dominated the contest and should have won the match by a greater margin if it hadn’t been for some inaccuracy in front of goal.
The final score finished 6.1 (37) to 8.18 (66) in Kyabram’s favour.
Bombers star Cooper O’Neill kicked two goals and was awarded best-on-ground for his side, while vice-captain Jedd Turpin also finished with two majors.
Tatura captain Gerry McCarthy kicked two goals for the Bulldogs, while Rory Hearn was named best-on-ground for the losing side.
In the under-16 divison two preliminary final, Moama defeated Seymour by 27 points to book a spot in the grand final against Euroa.
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Kyabram's James Hargreaves fires off a handball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 15
Kyabram's Paddy Westerveld flies through the air fist first. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 15
Kyabram's Marley Gordon pressured by Tatura's Harrison Shadgett. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 15
Tatura's Rory Hearn takes a strong contested grab. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 15
Tatura's Charlie McLean in full flight. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 15
Kyabram's James Priest collects a groundball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 15
St Augustine's Yellow's Sebastian Cleary tackles Echuca Green's Nate Smith. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 15
St Augustine's Yellow's Max Stockdale hunts the ball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 15
St Augustine's Yellow plot and plan in a huddle. Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 15
Echuca Green's Reeve Sellars sends the ball deep inside 50. Photo by Megan FisherImage 11 of 15
Echuca Green's Oliver Spring lines up for goal. Photo by Megan FisherImage 12 of 15
Echuca Green's Toby Kennedy in the ruck. Photo by Megan FisherImage 13 of 15
Echuca Green pump themselves up in the huddle. Photo by Megan FisherImage 14 of 15
Echuca Green's Jett Avard and Will Hatfield turn to chase the footy. Photo by Megan FisherImage 15 of 15
St Augustine's Yellow's Charlie Pekin was among the best for his side. Photo by Megan FisherUnfortunately, the town of Kyabram couldn’t find success twice on Sunday, with local school side St Augustine’s Yellow losing to Echuca Green in the under-14 division one preliminary final.
The contest remained tight all day, with Echuca leading by only two points as the match headed into the dying stages.
In the final few minutes, Echuca’s Joey Lowry stood up for his side and kicked the sealer as the Murray Bombers went on to win the match by eight points, 8.3 (51) to 9.5 (59).
St Augustine’s Yellow’s Seb Cleary and Bailey Samuels both kicked two goals, while Echuca Green’s Charlie Sutton bagged a game-high three majors.
Taj Maddox (Echuca) and Billy Isaac (St Augustine’s) were named the best for their respective sides.
News photographer Megan Fisher roamed the boundary for the Tatura-Kyabram and St Augustine’s Yellow-Echuca Green contests.