Kyabram climbed up off the canvas in a display of sheer grit and determination to keep its GVL finals campaign alive on Saturday night at Mooroopna.
The Bombers looked like being on the end of a knockout blow from a surging Mansfield that delivered a third-quarter uppercut of five unanswered goals that had the Bombers very groggy.
And when the Eagles kicked a goal at the start of the last term to hit the front for the first time in the match, the Bombers looked down and all but out as the count started.
But when the realisation that their season was about to end in the worst way possible — an exit on the first week of the finals — the Bombers dug deep.
Deep enough to somehow regain their poise, run and grit to stage a character-filled reversal completely against the momentum.
The prize is a third crack at reigning GVL premier Echuca in Saturday’s qualifying semi-final at Euroa — the winner guaranteed a spot in the league decider.
With its onballers in big-hearted ruckman Zac Norris, Kaine Herbert and Liam Ogden showing the way and Tom Holman and Kyle Mueller providing targets in attack and a backline led by Lachie Smith, Brad Whitford and Riley Ironside battening down, the Bombers regained the lead then built on it to a final winning margin of 16 points.
Norris, Whitford, Reuben Rode and young talent Archie Watt were Kyabram’s busiest players while Mueller’s second half and four goals proved match winners.
In the first term, the Bombers missed chances to take a commanding lead with Brad Mangan again off target after strong marks but goals to Anthony Depasquale (two) and gems from Kaine Herbert and Tom Burnett helped the side establish a two-goal break at the first change.
Two goals from Rhys Clark and singles to Will Golds and Holman had the Bombers with their nose in front by 14 points at the main change.
When Mueller booted the first two goals of the third term from off-play infringements, and the Bombers got away to game-high lead of 26 points, it looked all over for Mansfield.
But they rallied and kicked five unanswered goals to completely reverse the momentum of the game to get within a kick at the last change before the Bombers unleashed their final surge.
Coach Paul Newman praised the resilience of his players and their ability to respond when everything was on the line.
He singled out Norris, Holman, Mueller and Ogden for their last-quarter heroics which swung the game in Kyabram’s favour in the last term.
‘‘Lachie Smith was also back to his best and played a great game,’’ Newman said.
The win has given the Bombers a double chance with a date with reigning premier Echuca on Saturday at Euroa with the winner moving into the grand final.
The only casualty from Saturday night’s game was Cooper Vick, who ended up in hospital after a heavy facial knock and will be monitored this week.
Newman did not rule veteran defence and defence pillar Jason Morgan who suffered broken ribs a month ago from making a welcome return.
My best: Zac Norris, Brad Whitford, Lachie Smith Reuben Rode, Kyle Mueller, Tom Holman, Kaine Herbert, Archie Watt.