Kyabram’s Archie Watt booted two goals during the Bombers’ win over Shepparton Swans.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
By the numbers, Kyabram remains untouchable — 10 games, 10 wins and a spot atop the Goulburn Valley League ladder.
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But in reality, Saturday’s 13-point escape against a bold and bustling Shepparton Swans proved it’s not bulletproof.
The Bombers were “okay without being outstanding” according to co-coach Corey Carver — and that might be generous in the wake of Kyabram’s 14.7 (91) to 10.18 (78) win.
They were lucky, really.
Lucky that the Swans picked the wrong day to be inaccurate, kicking 18 behinds to their 10 goals.
Kyabram’s Riley Ironside prepares to step on the gas.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Shepparton Swans’ Enrique Goggin unloads a short range kick to a teammate.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Kyabram’s Tom Holman pops off a handball.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Shepparton Swans’ Nathan Rachele hunts down a loose ground ball.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Kyabram’s Kaine Herbert pumps the arm after kicking a major.
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Megan Fisher
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Swans and Bombers take to the air in search of a grab.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Shepparton Swans’ Tyreece Collison booms the ball up the corridor.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
And also lucky that Aidan Robinson, a man who didn’t kick a single goal last season, chose that afternoon to deliver a masterclass in front of the big sticks.
Robinson finished with seven majors — two of them coming in a dominant third quarter that finally cracked open a contest Kyabram had trailed for parts of, and led by one solitary point at the main break.
“To be honest, we just had an outstanding game from Aidan Robinson who won us the game,” Carver said.
“Without him, we would’ve been in a fair amount of trouble. He ended up with seven and marked everything that came his way ... luckily for us, he was the difference.”
The Swans, who flew at the Bombers with daring run and hard-nosed intent, were left to rue their wastefulness in front of goal after such a promising opening.
Jedd Wright’s charges led 17-10 at quarter-time before Kyabram bit back with a 4.0 second term to nose ahead 34-33 at the main break.
Robinson’s early pair to start the third quarter got the Bombers bouncing and a further four goals to the Swans’ two during the spell after half-time lifted Carver’s side to a four-goal buffer with one term to play.
The Swans had a five-minute flurry to bring it back to a 10-point game, but who was there to ice the game when things began to heat up?
Robinson.
A late goal from Kyabram’s Mr Fix It put a nervy game to bed and, upon reflection, Carver couldn’t help but acknowledge his Bombers flirted with a potential first loss on Saturday.
“I thought Shepp (Swans) played really well and they certainly had their chances to win — inaccuracy probably cost them in the end,” he said.
“They were a really good running side; once they had ball in hand they were really hard to stop.
“A little bit of our defence probably needs to be tidied up, but they had their chances to win it and probably could have and should have in the end.”
Still, there were constants in red and black.
Veteran Jason Morgan again wound back the clock with a gritty, composed display, while co-coach Kaine Herbert continued his tireless midfield output.
“The old boy Morgan, he’s been great the last three weeks and was really good again yesterday,” Carver said.
“Our co-coach Kaine Herbert has been great all year, he just consistently works his backside off and runs hard all day.
“They’re probably the two, over the longevity of the season, have been the most consistent.”
For the Swans, Joeve Cooper stood out with four majors, while electric young talent Oliver Warburton continues to show his levels in the GVL.
Wright’s side eyes off a monumental battle with Shepparton in round 11, while Kyabram’s next task is equally important as the Bombers take on Rochester in a first versus second stoush.
“They (Rochester) are a really good contested side, a mature side — they’re really hard at it and will defend really strongly,” Carver said.
“We’ll need everything; we’ll need all aspects of our game to be on, particularly the contested game.”
