Kyabram was outclassed by a slicker second-placed Shepparton in the final Goulburn Valley League home and away round on Saturday at Kyabram.
Quick and accurate movement of the ball exposed cracks particularly in Kyabram’s defence, but the Bombers to their credit again gave it their all which was just not good enough to prevent a six goals loss.
Shepparton made its case early with the first four goals of the game and then fended off spirited but not sustained Bomber fightbacks for the remainder of the game.
When Anthony Depasquale lit up the contest with four successive goals in the second term Kyabram was suddenly only five points down after trailing early by nearly five goals.
That though was as close at they got.
The Bombers did spark to life again in the third term with successive Mitch Dodos goals and got within striking distance again. But Shepparton had all answers again and then finished off the Bombers deep into the clash.
Kyabram got on top in the second term mainly through the efforts of Bailey Tome, Kaine Herbert and Liam Ogden who freed up the ball from the centre ball-ups with Depasquale the main beneficiary with his attacks on the ball and some typical strong marks and accurate finishing.
Ogden and utility Jackson Griffiths’ inability to play the second half after rolling an ankle certainly didn’t help Kyabram’s cause
Kyabram’s defence was under siege for most of the game and if it wasn’t for the efforts of the fearless Brad Whitford and veteran Jason Morgan Shepparton’s winning margin would have been far greater.
Shepparton’s elusive small forward Luke Smith in particular proved a handful around goals for the Kyabram defence, while ruck veteran Ashley Holland, Tyler Larkin, Xavier Stevenson and Mitchell Brett were busy for most of the game.
My best for Kyabram were Brad Whitford, Bailey Tome, Kaine Herbert, Anthony Depasquale, Liam Dillon, Josh Dillon and Jason Morgan.
· Kyabram reserves will meet Shepparton Swans in Saturday’s elimination final after a hard-earned win by 22 points against Shepparton.
The Bombers always had their nose in front in a dour, low scoring affair and skipper Will Wild booted the first two goals of the game.
And it was goals from Khy Stovell, Adam Pulsoni and Matt Wild in the term that gave the Bombers the breathing space they needed to hold out the visitors in the dourly fought affair.
Matt Wild could have blown out Kyabram’s winning margin but missed several shots on goal.
The Bombers had a standout in Pulsoni in the midfield who was busy all game while big men Brenton Brasier in defence and ruckman Jayden Fitzgerald led from the front to also set fine examples for teammates.
Noah Ryan was also prominent with his run and an inspiring goal while winger Tom Bruhn, Maykah Pratt, Danyon Stockdale and Nash Hocking also showed out at times.
Kyabram has beaten this weekend’s rival Shepparton Swans once this season but will need to be at their best in Saturday’s cut-throat final to progress deeper into the finals as the Swans will be loaded up with their senior side missing the finals.
Experienced defenders Josh Wild and Will McDonell, who missed last Saturday, will both be available to boost Kyabram’s defence.
· Kyabram thirds were rewarded for a plucky albeit losing effort against second-placed Shepparton with a place in the finals.
The young Bombers didn’t win but going down by only two goals to one of the flag favourites was enough to deprive Rochester, a big winner over Shepparton United, its place in the final top six.
The young Bombers didn’t take a backward step all day and even had a chance late in the game to snatch a win or a draw.
On-baller Charlie Isaac who is still eligible for under-16 level, continued his fine first season with another classy display.
Co-coach Peter Ryan said Charlie was moved into a ruckman role when Shepparton skyscraper ruckman Jensen Dowling was dominating and he was able to match him with his leap.
‘‘I thought Charlie was clearly the best player on the ground,’’ said Ryan.
Ryan also had praise for midfielders Danny Miller, Lachy Carver, Tyler Norman and Cohan Hooper who along with Isaac were able to ensure the Bomber forwards led by Archer Guinan, who kicked three goals, to get chances to be competitive and even win the game.
‘’Danny has been playing at centre half forward and we put him on the wing and with his marking power he did very well,’’ added Ryan.
Kyabram had other good players again in defenders Max (Nugget) Carroll and skipper, Oscar Dixon who held the defence together with their committed style of play.
The Bombers lost to their elimination final rival Shepparton Swans earlier in the season but have been slowly building since then and in their current form should make a bold bid for victory on Saturday to keep their season alive.