Benalla make the daunting trip to Kyabram in a fortnight, but will enjoy a week off this Saturday in the first half of the Goulburn Valley League’s split round.
The week’s break gives the Saints an opportunity to reflect on a heavy loss to Mansfield last weekend, and a chance to prepare for their roadtrip to Kyabram on the 13th.
The last time the two side’s met, Kyabram were clinical around the ground, producing a resounding 18.9 (117) to 3.4 (22) at Benalla Showgrounds.
With the power of GVL Data now at our disposal, some interesting stats emerge from their round four encounter.
The Saints were hard at it around the contest and won out in a number of key areas, notching 206 contested possessions to the Bombers’ 181.
Benalla took 98 marks to Kyabram’s 83, and just lost in contested possessions with 115 to 124.
Chris Welsh had a field day through the middle, racking up a personal-best 38 disposals, 17 contested possessions and 22 uncontested possessions.
But it’s inside the arc where Benalla will have to clean up against Kyabram.
The Saints capitalised on only 32 per cent of their chances inside 50, the ball being delivered into Benalla’s forward fifty 22 times to Kyabram’s 56.
Key stats
Benalla v Kyabram, round four
Disposals
Benalla: 319
Kyabram: 296
Clangers
Benalla: 31
Kyabram: 22
Marks
Benalla: 98
Kyabram: 83
Tackles
Benalla: 35
Kyabram: 43
Hitouts
Benalla: 29
Kyabram: 29
Uncontested possessions
Benalla: 206
Kyabram: 181