Kyabram’s reserves will be going for glory against Seymour in the grand final this Sunday. Photo: Jordan Townrow.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
After a stellar turnaround season following its first-round finals elimination last year, Kyabram is ready to cap it off against Seymour in the Goulburn Valley League reserves grand final this Sunday.
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The Bombers have been ahead of the rest in 2025, finishing the 2025 home-and-away season with a near perfect record of 17-1.
Kyabram’s sole blemish on an otherwise perfect campaign came in a round 11 thriller, losing to Rochester by three points.
The Bombers’ opponent, Seymour, has qualified for the grand final from fourth, with Kyabram prevailing over the Lions in the second semi-final by 15 points.
Kyabram reserves coach Sean Dillon reflected on the year that was and outlined the value of the club’s coaching group in identifying players who could move through reserves and seniors.
Cooper Fawcett has had a strong year with the Kyabram reserves.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
“The boys had a good season, we’ve had a few boys go away mid-season so it’s obviously a different side to what we’ve got during the year ... so the start of the season to now is probably the same, whereas middle of the season you lose those few blokes.
“It’s been really good though, the boys all mingle well, and they’re all local boys, too, which makes it a good vibe around the club.
“Cory and Kane are pretty good to work with, they’re good in telling us who they think or what they see from their eyes instead of always just coming from the one person’s perspective, they’re good in that aspect.”
Dillon also acknowledged the club’s junior program and the importance of retaining those players as they moved through the ranks.
Brad Edwards for Kyabram reserves against Shepparton Bears.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
“There’s some good junior talent around the club, so, hopefully, they stick around for years to come and prove what they can do,” he said.
“A key thing at the start of the year is to try and keep all the core group boys around, coming from under-18 to reserves.
“Keeping that core group provides the opportunity for the kids to win a reserves flag.”
Dillon said direct qualification for the grand final had been a blessing for recovery and that it had been a privilege for his boys to get a shot at bringing home the top gong.
He also looked ahead to the grand final and said his players would need to be at their best to be crowned champions.
“Obviously, we finished on top, so that’s what you want, you get that extra week off if you win that first one, so it’s good,” he said.
“We play footy to play in a grand final, some blokes go through their whole career and not even play finals at all, So, the vibe’s good.
“It’s a good time of the year and good vibes around the club, so everyone’s up and about.
“It’s really good to get along with the boys really well, which makes it nice and easy to connect for them all, the club feels like home.
“We match up pretty well against them (Seymour), I think we can get the job done if we bring our A game.”
The reserves grand final will begin at 11.55am at Deakin Reserve.
