THERE was a strong Kyabram connection in the GVL side that won its AFL Community round clash in comfortable fashion against the Western Region Football League at Werribee last Saturday.
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The Bombers had seven representatives — Mick Mattingly, Lachie Smith, Tom Holman, Kayne Pettifer, Kyle Mueller, Zac Norris and Brad Whitford — in the side that won the interleague clash by a comfortable 41 points — 11.14 to 4.15
Whitford got a late call-up after the GVL captain, Seymour’s Jason Cole, was a late withdrawal due to illness.
Kyabram co-coach Paul Newman, a GVL selector and former long serving interleague skipper, said the Kyabram players all acquitted themselves well in the game.
‘‘Mick Mattingly was a standout on the wing and along with Brett Mahoney (Mansfield) and Zac Keogh (Seymour) were the three best players for the GVL, in my opinion,’’ said Newman.
Newman said all the other Kyabram players played their roles in the win.
‘‘Lachie Smith was terrific down back with his intercept marking and Tom Holman was also solid despite copping a corked leg early in the game.
‘‘Kyle Mueller and Kayne Pettifer ended up kicking five of the GVL’s 11 goals while Zac Norris and Brad Whitford both did well in their first game for the league,’’ added Newman.
Norris shouldered the number one ruck role responsibility and Whitford also impressed.
Newman said the game was a ‘‘scrappy affair’’ played mainly between the 50 metre arcs.
‘‘Our defence was really solid all day and we got our goals a bit easier than them.’’
■ KYABRAM’S two representatives in the GVL under-18 side, which also had a good win over the Western region, also earned praise for their performances.
Tom Burnett stood up in defence and Aidan Robinson contested everything in the two key forward positions.
■ STAR Tongala recruit Cameron Ilett was one of the Murray League’s better players in a team which was outplayed by the Wimmera League at Rumbalara reserve, Shepparton, on Saturday.
Other Tongala players Coby McCarthy and Jack Hammond were also in the Murray League side, which was beaten by 45 points.
The GVL was not in netball action, due to the WRFL having only established their own competition last year.