Kyabram conquers a plucky Shepparton United to return to winning ways in GVL

There was a lot to like about the boisterous and brave Bombers, with their two bustling B-52s up forward, Anthony Depasquale (six goals) and Nicholas Jephson (three) kicking up a storm.

That was the difference in the eyes of Kyabram co-coach Corey Carver.

“They (United) worked us over pretty hard and ran hard both ways, but in the end we probably just had a couple of our forwards get on to a couple,” he said.

“Young Nick Jephson played really well and so did Anthony Depasquale — they were probably the difference until three-quarter time.

“(United) were a good side; they made us work and made us turn the ball over in spots we didn’t want to.

“But it’s good to have a game where it’s not two, three or eight points like we’ve had in the last three weeks.”

In an Anzac Day tradition, footballers and netballers from Kyabram and Shepparton United stood adjacent to each other pre-game as the trill of a bugle played out The Last Post.

Bodies stood still, paying respect — then it was time for footy.

Depasquale drew first blood from mid-range three minutes in as Kyabram won the initial arm-wrestle, breaking out of the defensive 50 with ease.

However, an immaculate Fraser Hicks pick out landed in the arms of Kaedyn Napier who obliged and the latter went again from an acute angle to give United the lead.

Kyabram was under the cosh for 10 minutes until Marcus Khoo finally drilled a late goal to tie the game up heading into quarter-time.

Whatever rev-up the Bombers received it sure got them motoring.

The visitors launched one early and then another and then another, with Jephson’s elegant turn to axe it over with his back to goals an indication that Kyabram was here to play.

Kyabram remained relentless in creeping forward and gaining metres at will and it was up to captain Kyle Clarke to shatter United’s goal drought 20 minutes into the second quarter.

Soon after Liam Serra wound up a winding, dipping kick that narrowly avoided a touch on its way through the sticks which saw the home fans find their voice again.

The Demons were down by 30 points at half-time and despite Jesse Cucinotta’s major following a barrage of Kyabram goals, confidence began to wane within the hosts’ camp.

A somewhat lifeless third quarter was revived by an opportunistic Ed Adams, who pounced on Kyabram’s failure to clear the ball inside the arc as he won the scramble and kicked without mistake for the last involvement of the term.

After the three-quarter time huddle all the action came rushing back at once.

Former Essendon and Hawthorn VFL mid Will Golds slotted from close for Kyabram, which was soon followed by Clarke’s unbelievable swerving soccer that went left, right and through.

Golds then went down screaming due to a suspected broken elbow and was stretchered off the field in what could be a significant loss for the Bombers.

To round out the day Kaine Herbert nailed one from a set shot and was involved in the final act, teeing up Liam Ogden who conjured a goal with all the hallmarks of a man of his calibre.

Both earned a pump up from Carver in the rooms after the game.

“I thought Kaine was great, he played well and so did Liam Ogden who is having a really good year — they’ve been our two on-ballers and in all the four games they were great,” he said.

“I touched on Jephson, he was great in the forward line as was Depasquale. They were probably our two best forwards.

“I thought our wingers played quite well in Eamonn Ogden and Tom Burnett, they gave us some drive as well.”

For United, new duo Jack and Will McCartney were named among the best alongside Sheldon Bogdan, Aaron Britten and Cucinotta.