Josh Dillon snaps a goal and celebrates with Tom Holman. Photos: Bruce Povey
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Kyabram has taken another step towards Goulburn Valley League glory, storming past Rochester by 42 points in its first final at Moon Oval on Saturday night.
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The Bombers were tested early, but pulled away as the match wore on, eventually winning 13.13 (91) to 7.7 (49).
Co-coach Corey Carver said the response after a disappointing end to the home and away season was the key.
“We were really poor in our last game last week, just didn’t defend or pressure the opposition,” Carver said.
“So that was back up yesterday. It was built on the back of that.”
The opening quarter was an arm wrestle, with four points in it at the first change, before Kyabram began to assert control.
By the last quarter, the Bombers stamped their authority with a five-goal-to-one burst to seal the result.
Carver said his side’s ability to run out games came as no surprise to the coaching staff.
“It’s been something we’ve been able to do all year,” he said.
“That comes from working hard over the pre-season and trying to get the boys as fit as we possibly can.
“Hopefully there’s a bit of belief now that if we’re in it throughout the game, we’ll be able to run over the opposition at the end.”
Key forward Tom Holman led the way up forward, finishing with five goals in a commanding display.
“When he’s marking the ball, he’s so hard to stop,” Carver said.
“He had the dukes going yesterday, which was great. He took a number of contested marks.”
The win secures Kyabram another final next week, where it will face Mansfield for a place in the grand final.
It is part of the GVL’s unique finals system, which requires the top side to back up despite winning its opening final.
“Well, it is what it is,” Carver said.
“We know what it is, so you’ve just got to keep winning. It’s a slightly different system to probably others, but at the end of the day you just have to win.
“Whoever the opposition is, you prepare, set up and just keep rolling.”
Carver said this week’s training would balance sharpening their own strengths while preparing for Mansfield.
After a season where they finished minor premiers with 16 wins from 18 games, the Bombers have quickly rebounded from back-to-back losses at the end of the regular season.
With their pressure restored and their forward line firing, they again look well placed for a tilt at the premiership.
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