Kyabram rolls Waaia to claim Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield premiership

As has been the case all season long, Kyabram’s four-pronged attack has stood tall in the pressure matches, and once again delivered on the biggest of stages.

After an “empty” feeling post the 2024-25 semi-final washout loss to Nagambie, Kyabram has had an insatiable drive for the flag this summer and relentlessly put teams to the sword with the Kookaburra.

Kyabram coach Jackson McLay said he was “proud” of his men who continued to thrive in the face of adversity.

“The way last year ended for us, the washout, I’ve never had that feeling before, just that real empty feeling,” McLay said.

“It’s been an absolute journey since that day and we have talked about (winning the premiership) a number of times throughout the season.

“To only have one loss for the year, I don’t know how to put it into words other than I’m just so proud, every time we had our backs against the wall ... we were unbelievable.”

Kyabram proved to be too strong with the ball again on day two, after the match hung in the balance overnight.

In a tense day one, Waaia bowled well for not a lot of reward, but the same rung true for Kyabram with the bat on a slow outfield.

A determined opening partnership from Billy McLay and Cade Mueller put 67 runs on the board before a tireless Jordan Cleeland broke through, with an LBW trapping a sweeping McLay in front of the stumps.

Kyabram first drop Paul Parsons feathered one through to Brayden Carey off the bowling of Brandon Diplock not long after, departing for one, but it would bring star bat Kyle Mueller to the crease alongside his brother.

Soon Cade’s stint came to an end, flicking one up to Will Trower at short square leg as Cleeland started extracting life out of the Katandra Recreation Reserve pitch, the Redbacks losing 3-11 to be struck to 3-78.

But then, after its sustained period of hard work, a crucial opportunity was dashed for the Bombers – an opportunity gone begging that would determine Waaia’s fate for the worse.

Mueller drove the Kookaburra aerially in the 51st over at chest height to mid-off, but was dropped.

Perched on a nervy 11 runs, Waaia’s chance to dismiss arguably the league’s best batter was put down.

And as the best of the best do, they make you pay.

Mueller would go on to post 75 unbeaten by innings end, shaking off his nervy start to deliver a composed and stabilising innings, one that would secure a defendable total for the minor premiers.

Waaia held a firm grip on the contest with Diplock smashing Alec Young on the pads, and as the score sat at 4-91, the will to win looked to be all on Mueller’s shoulders.

The lower order faltered after minor stints with the willow for an all out total of 187 after 96.5 overs.

It wasn’t pretty, but the Redbacks had knuckled down a solid score.

“Full credit to Billy and Cade, the wicket was quite soft early, so to bat for two hours without loss under those extreme conditions against, arguably, the best bowling attack in the league was just unbelievable,” McLay said.

“Just the fight, grit and determination.

“I actually missed (the dropped Mueller catch), I was in the rooms, but you don’t drop the best player in the competition.

“He showed his class yesterday.”

On day two, the Kyabram pace attack was as pure and electrifying as it’s been all season.

Waaia held firm for nine overs before Langley ended an 18-run partnership as Damien Atkins nicked the rock on its way through to the keeper.

It would be one of five wickets Langley claimed in Kyabram’s bowling riot, as he earned Greg Luscombe Medal honours for his ruthless display.

Langley would follow up the very next ball, but this time in the field, as Jackson McLay found a thick edge off Jordan Cleeland’s bat that sailed to Langley at gully.

The Langley and McLay pairing would ship off Jamie Riley (four) and skipper Mitch Cleeland (two) in back-to-back overs again and, suddenly, the determined start with the bat from Waaia quickly turned to capitulation.

Diplock was next to depart, edging off for 11 off Charlie McLay’s fast bowling, before Louis Sabbagh-Holt spun his web to send Bailey Smith and Brayden Carey to the sheds.

Langley returned to clean up the tail, ending the match in the fashion Kyabram has been known for all season – relentless, foot on the throat bowling.

The Bombers had nosedived, all out for 60.

“Our line and length has been exceptional all year, like full credit has to go to our bowling unit,” McLay said.

“To be fair to them, 97 overs in the field on day one was gonna fatigue them, so we knew if we put it in the right areas there was enough in the wicket to draw them out.

“But you couldn’t ask for a better day.”

The Redbacks’ web has spun one of the most clinical Haisman Shield grand final performances the competition has seen.