The Bombers are soaring again.
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Kyabram has responded after its shock round two Goulburn Valley League loss to the Shepparton Swans, clinically picking apart Tatura away from home.
The Bulldogs entered the clash under lights as a depleted outfit, issuing more than half a dozen changes for the match as it looked to depth following injuries across the opening fortnight of the season.
However, the Bombers were out to make a confidence-boosting - and percentage-boosting - result at Tatura’s expense, none more so than forward Anthony Depasquale.
Depasquale kicked the first three goals for Kyabram in a ruthless opening term, with eight majors piling on the pain in the early going.
Kyabram’s defence held up during Tatura’s occasional inside 50 entries, conceding just two behinds to boast a 50-point quarter-time lead.
Kyabram coach Corey Carver was pleased with his side’s response early on after last week’s flat outcome.
“We spoke about things we didn’t do last week, and we executed them better tonight,” Carver said.
“We moved the ball better, we were probably too slow last week, so we moved it quicker tonight and then we defended and tackled with more intent I thought.
“Everyone came to work tonight and got back to what we do best.”
There would be resilience from the home side however, as Tatura played like its moniker in the second term, forcing the match into a gritty dog fight and restrained the red and black for seven minutes before a score, and 10 minutes for the opening goal of the quarter.
Kyabram’s Riley Ironside was dangerous alongside Depasquale and kicked a solo special in the term, breaking a tackle and putting it through on the run, before Bomber Reuben Rode slotted a set shot tucked away on a tight angle from 40 metres out.
At half time, it was a sore sight for Bulldogs eyes, the score sitting at 13.11 (89) to 0.3 (3).
Harry Murdoch would snag Tatura’s opening goal five minutes into the third term, but the goals kept flowing for Kyabram as the lead extended into triple figures.
Tatura’s Blake Armstrong’s return to seniors action was rewarded as the goal sneak converted in the third term also, but goals rained down at the southern end of Tatura Park, Kyabram punishing the Bulldogs with goals off turnover.
The yellow Sherrin whizzed end to end at times in the last term, but it was the Bombers that still kept the foot on the throat, generating 11 scoring shots as Tatura went scoreless to run out 26.20 (176) to 2.4 (16) winners.
Jack Russell and Kaine Herbert were named in the best for the reigning premiers, while Tatura’s Sean McAllister and Kitt McCamley made an impact despite the loss.
Next week, the Bulldogs take on a struggling Rochester outfit that has equally begun its campaign 0-3, while Kyabram face a challenge against an unbeaten Echuca side that dispatched the Tigers on Saturday evening.
Carver sung high praise for the Murray Bombers post-match, marking the rebound against Tatura as a “stepping stone” for round four.
“[Echuca] have been the yardstick for five years,” Carver said.
“We’ll need to be at our best again.
“Hopefully tonight was a stepping stone to that.”