Youngsters step up for Ky

But the positive and bonus out of this has been the fast-tracking of young players into senior grade football.

Three thirds players — Nic Jephson, Tyler Norman, Oscar Dixon — have had a taste of senior football along with Archie Watt.

Archie has not played a game with the thirds but has made two appearances at senior level when available from the Bendigo Pioneers.

Jephson played 10 games to start the season, admirably holding down centre half forward, one of the most difficult spots to play.

He then switched to the Bendigo Pioneers but unfortunately his season has been on hold since sustaining a stress fracture in his foot.

Norman has played eight senior games while Dixon, captain of the thirds, has dipped his toe into senior GVL ranks three times.

Other younger players to get vital senior experience include Bohden Learmonth, Miller Griffiths, Riley Gallivan and Adam Pulsoni.

Learmonth, in particular, in his first full season of senior football, has justified his place in the senior team with consistent form, although he too is battling injury and is sidelined at the moment.

Kyabram’s senior list has an average age of just below 22 so it’s a young, new-look side that has been flying the flag for the club this season.

And with distinction.

The reward has been another finals appearance, the eleventh in succession, which is a feat in itself.

Kyabram co-coaches Corey Carver and Kaine Herbert have shown they are both big on giving promising young local players every chance to establish themselves as senior players or senior players of the future and would have to be happy with what they achieved this season not matter what happens from now on. Particularly considering eight members — Hayden Gemmill, Rhys Clark, Tom Holman, Kayne Pettifer, Kyle Mueller, Zac Norris, Lachie Smith and Reuben Rode — of last year’s runners-up side have been missing this season.