Kyabram is well and truly back to its scary old self.
Heading into a heavily-awaited match against Mansfield, the Bombers made the top six clash seem a walk in the park as they smashed through the Eagles 12.8 (80) to 4.5 (29).
Paul Newman’s bunch even managed to hold Mansfield, a typically strong finisher, to two points in the second half, leaving the Kyabram coach stoked at the performance.
“They’re always hard to play, especially up there on their home deck, so we’re really rapt to get out of there with four points,” Newman said.
“They gave us a bit of a spanking up there last year, so it was just good to keep a bit of momentum going.
“Our team defence has been getting better each week and it was excellent against Mansfield.
“We kept them to two points in the second half, so it was really pleasing, not just our back six who’ve been fantastic all year, but our team stuff is starting to click a little bit and guys are starting to understand what they need to be doing.
“As we well know, defence gets it done in the big games, so that side of things was excellent.”
Heading into a high stakes game at high altitude, Kyabram began as it meant to finish as Zac Norris plucked it straight from the tip and sent a searching kick straight into the mitts of Tom Holman.
Holman obliged with the mark and finish and the Bombers went on to kick four more to lead Mansfield by 12 points by the end of the first quarter.
A lower scoring second exchange saw only three majors shared by both sides, but Mansfield then dropped off majorly after the main break.
Kyabram’s back six did a wonderful job of nullifying the influence of Mansfield’s Cam Arnold, who booted nine goals last round against Shepparton United, as well as young gun Ben Christopher with the pair only kicking two and one respectively.
At the other end, Kyle Mueller carried on his recent purple patch with four goals for the game to earn praise from Newman.
“From Kyle’s point of view, he’s been battling with a few little niggles throughout the year, but he’s had a couple of good games, especially against good opposition,” he said.
“It’s one thing to kick goals against the lesser sides, but Kyle gets it done against the good teams when we need him most.
“A couple of our better players, Kaine Herbert was kept pretty quiet, Lachie Smith, it was probably his quietest game for a month or so, so it makes it all the more pleasing when those sort of guys aren’t having their usual impact on the game.”
The win elevates Kyabram to second in the three-horse race for top spot after Seymour delivered Echuca its first loss, with the trio of sides locked on 36 points apiece.
“I don’t think there’s a whole lot between us, it’s just going to come down to injuries,” Newman said.
“Obviously Echuca are cruelled at the minute with availability and that sort of stuff, so you don’t read too much into what’s going on in round 10 or 11.
“I guess all we’re trying to do is win enough games to put us in a position to give ourselves the best chance at the end of the year.
“Teams are going to change between now and them, so we’ve just got to keep ticking them off one week at a time as the saying goes.”