No-one expected the Kyabram Bombers to win — and they didn’t.
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Diluted with injuries to key players, the Bombers battled bravely against their GVL preliminary final rival, Shepparton, at Deakin Reserve in Shepparton on Sunday, but the bottom line was they were well short on the ability, skill and running and aerial power of their hosts and minor premier.
The wash-up was a 72-point loss, 19.7 to 7.7, and a bit to think about over the summer months.
That scoreline wasn’t quite an accurate reflection of the Bombers’, effort which was intense for the first half, particularly the first quarter, when they held Shepparton goalless with a combination of fierce tackling and a determined defence led by co-captain Aidan Robinson.
Robinson, Kyabram’s leading goalkicker this season, was moved to take over from veteran freak key defender Jason Morgan, one of four Kyabram players who didn’t come up fitness-wise after the heavy loss to Echuca the previous week.
Other defenders in Brad Whitford and Jack Sheldon, along with livewire Reuben Rode, were other senior players who had to be replaced from the previous week’s Kyabram side.
It was arguably Kyabram’s weakest side for the season.
Whenever Shepparton looked to be seriously challenged by the Bombers, the Bears had the manpower to counter every move.
They kicked five second-quarter goals to Kyabram’s one, capitalising on the centre ruck dominance of Morrison medallist Ash Holland, who consistently freed up the Sherrin from the centre stoppages.
When Kyabram kicked the first three goals of third term, the Bombers had re-entered the fight. Well for a few minutes or so.
But Shepparton’s class shone out and with Luke Smith, Jacob Watts, Bryce Stephenson, Lewis McShane and Liam Duguid dominant the Bears kicked 10 unanswered goals and sealed a spot in the season decider.
The Bombers were led by co-captain Aidan Robinson and Cooper Vick in defence and tireless onballer Kaine Herbert.
Apart from Herbert, others onballers in Jack Russell, Coby McCarthy and Josh Dillon tried their hardest to stem the Bears’ flood of goals.
Zac Norris was beaten in the centre ruck duels by Holland but still did a lot of the heavy lifting around the ground for four quarters.
Of the younger brigade, Bohden Learmonth was good across the midfield and other Kyabram players who had their moments were Josh Dillon and Tom Burnett while young stars in Isaiah Scoble and Charlie Isaac showed their exciting talent at times.
Late inclusion Anthony Depasquale finished with four goals, three of these in succession in the last term. But he lacked the chances to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Given their circumstances, the Bombers did well to finish third in a roller-coaster season.
The two best sides all season have won the right to play in the decider, and although Shepparton is equipped to stretch Echuca this Sunday the Bears’ record against the Murray Bombers in recent seasons says they have little chance. But grand finals can throw up unexpected results.
My best for Kyabram were: Kaine Herbert, Aidan Robinson, Jack Russell, Bohden Learmonth, Coby McCarthy, Zac Norris, Cooper Vick.
Reserves
Kyabram reserves’ season is also over after a heavy loss to Shepparton.
The Bombers had to call up three thirds players — Riley Carver, Mitch Wilson and Oliver Barnett — to make up for those players promoted to the seniors.
Having led narrowly at half-time, the Bombers were brushed aside in the second half when the Bears piled on 12 goals to Kyabram’s six to run out winners by 28 points, 14.12 to 10.8.
The Bombers were good in a real arm wrestle until half-time, with midfielder Adam Pulsoni and ruckmen Jayden Fitzgerald and Brenton Brasier prominent.
Veteran Ash Quinn, who finished with three goals, presented as a target up forward although key goalkicker Will Wild was off the ground for a while after being injured in the first quarter when looking ominous.
When he returned to the ground he had an immediate impact to kick three goals and raise Kyabram’s winning chances.
Skilful Cohan Hooper was another young Kyabram player to hold his own while Zac Parkinson was the best of the defenders over the four quarters.
It was a disappointing ending to the season for the Bombers, who were the second best side all season but not at full strength when they needed to be.