Kyabram’s Brad Mangan marks in front of Dylan Gordon. Photos: Bruce Povey.
Memo to all Kyabram players: Your commitment was undeniable again but you are not good enough to start giving teams - good teams - a chance with undisciplined play and focus lapses.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
On Sunday at Kyabram before a huge crowd the Bombers gave up a 38-point lead to Rochester, going down fighting again but left wondering with a few tantalising ‘ifs.’
Although Rochester was hinting in the second term it was rapidly changing its fortunes around after a slow start, it was handed an extra momentum shift by Kyabram when it was reduced to 17 players for 15 minutes in the third term after a send-off.
Bomber Bailey Tome handballs before Tiger Adam McPhee can reach him.
The Tigers proceeded to cash in on this situation, kicking six goals in that period to hit the front at the last change by three points.
The Tigers were also gifted free kicks at two centre bounce ball-ups because Kyabram players weren’t fully focused.
These things happen to teams loaded with inexperienced players as Kyabram are at present but hopefully it’s a good learning curve.
Aidan Robinson looks to spoil Hugh Hamilton’s attempt to mark.
With the first four goals of the last term Rochester looked headed for a runaway win. But the Bombers, as they have done all season, didn’t lie down and kicked three unanswered goals in time-on to reduce the margin to 11 points at the final siren.
Kyabram’s Marcus Khoo marks strongly in front of Mitch Cricelli.
Rochester wondered what had hit them early when the Bombers banged through seven of the first eight goals scored in the game. But Rochester is too good of a side to be written off and were always going to mount a comeback.
And when they got a decent sniff and players such as Mitchell Trewhella, Wil Hamilton, Adam McPhee, Ryan O'Keefe Mitch Cricelli and Dylan Gordon rallied the Tigers started finding the sherrin - and the goals.
Tiger Lachie Watson tries to pass off the ball before Bailey Tome can stop him.
Early it was co-coach Bailey Tome, Kaine Herbert, Will Golds, defenders Aidan Robinson Cooper Vick and Jake Parkinson, Eamann Ogden, Josh Dillon, Mitch Dodos and Anthony Depasquale leading from the front for the Bombers. But every one of their teammates were also willing to chip in and not take a backward step.
Tome, Herbert and Robinson, Golds and Vick continued to play inspiring football all game with young talent Bohden Learmonth and Khy Stovell also making an impact.
The Bombers had a late withdrawal in Jackson Griffiths, and other key players in Liam Ogden, Jason Morgan Brad Whitford and Charlie Barnett were among those senior players on the sidelines. So the Kyabram performance has to be put in perspective and it was still a cheeky and spirited effort from a mainly inexperienced side that always gives its best in terms of endeavour.
There is just some rough edges to iron out and hopefully a few more vital inclusions in the run to the finals.
Kyabram’s trip to Euroa this Saturday takes on a new significance now with the Bombers needing the win while eyes will also be on the result of the Shepparton Swans-Mansfield game which is also a vital clash in the five-way fight to fill the last three finals spots.
My best for Kyabram were: Bailey Tome, Aidan Robinson, Kaine Herbert, Will Golds, Cooper Vick, Josh Dillon, Bohden Learmonth, Mitch Dodos.
X Kyabram reserves again had to dig deep to get a side on the park but put up a spirited performance to go down by a goal in a grim battle with a total of only four goals scored by both sides.
The Bombers had three players Paul Newman, Noah Sewell and Shannon Fleming from Lancaster and George Chamouras from Longwood on match permits to help field a full side and all did some good work.
Key Kyabram defenders Riley Gallivan and and David Coulthard were well supported by Makhyah Pratt and were the standouts.
Ben Railton in the midfield and on ball was in the thick of the action for most of the game and big man Brenton Brasier spent most of the game in the ruck where he held his own.
The Bombers, who are still in third place, have a vital game against fifth-placed Euroa this Saturday.
X Kyabram thirds were able to execute a five-goal turnaround from its defeat by Rochester earlier in the season in a good team effort.
The Bombers lost by 20 points when they last met but on Sunday were in control for most of the game and won by 30 points.
The return of Archer Guinan was welcomed and he was big stumbling block at full back for the visitors.
Key prime movers in the Bombers win were classy Tyler Norman in the midfield while exciting Under 16 talent Charlie Isaac in attack and defence displayed his silky skills again.
Max Carroll and Cohen Hooper also made valuable contributions to the win.
Kyabram co-coach Peter Ryan was naturally pleased with the win but said there was still room for plenty of improvement in his team.
‘‘We are contesting and defending better now but we can’t afford to relax against any team,’’ Ryan said.
The Bombers currently sit in sixth place but have four sides currently not in the top six to play in the last six rounds so hold their finals fate in their own hands.
17°C