Kyabram produced another of its second-half blitzes to bowl over reigning premier Echuca in the penultimate round of Goulburn Valley League home and away games on Saturday.

Bouncing back from its first loss — albeit by only a point — for the season the previous week, Kyabram overran Echuca after scores were locked up at the major break after a grimly contested, low-scoring first half at Victoria Park in Echuca.

But once the Bombers hit top great after half-time they produced their dominant relentless play-on brand of football, which at one stage yielded six successive goals.

By three-quarter time Kyabram had hit the front by 11 points and in the last term maintained the pressure with five goals to two to run out a convincing winner by 33 points.

Kyabram co-coach Corey Carver was pleased with how his team ran out the game, although it took until the second half to get the team’s structures right.

‘‘Once that happened we played some pretty good footy,’’ Carver said.

Instigating the revival was the talented youngster Archie Watt, who booted two early third-quarter goals to help get Kyabram on a roll after Echuca had kicked the first two majors of the quarter.

Another two Watt goals in the last term helped put the final nails in the home team’s coffin.

Watt was quiet early when skipper Aidan Robinson, young talent Bohden Learmonth and on-ballers Mick (The Marvel) Mattingly, Jack Russell and Kaine Herbert were prominent in a first-half slog, keeping the visitors in the game.

Mattingly got plenty of attention, as expected, but was a telling player for his side in the wash-up.

Robinson again led the Bombers in inspiring fashion, whether in defence or in the ruck, while ruckman Zac Norris battled hard all day against a good opponent.

Jake Parkinson was also solid in a Kyabram defence still without its two key players, Jason Morgan and Brad Whitford.

Jack Sheldon had a huge role on Echuca’s gun forward, Hugh Byrne, and restricted him to two goals.

Tom Holman again worked hard and took some strong grabs.

Another plus for the Bombers was that Liam Ogden, in his third game since returning, started to find the ball in the forward zone.

Tough nut Josh Dillon was a withdrawal due to illness, but should return for the clash against Shepparton Swans at Princess Park this Saturday.

Morgan wasn’t risked again with a lingering leg injury and his return date remains uncertain.

Whitford and Anthony Depasquale will also miss the last home and away game against the Swans, but are expected to resume in the first week of the finals the weekend after next when Kyabram takes on Rochester in a qualifying final.

My best for Kyabram were: Aidan Robinson, Archie Watt, Mick Mattingly, Bohden Learmonth, Jack Russell, Tom Holman, Zac Norris, Jake Parkinson.

• Kyabram’s reserves got a tough workout from Echuca and had to work hard to achieve a 17-point win.

The Bombers always had their nose in front but a three goals to one third term established a break they defended for the rest of the game.

Skipper and ruckman Jayden Fitzgerald led from the front and Danny Miller was the pick of the defenders.

Consistent midfielder Ben Railton, on-baller Will Burnett and Shaun Doolan all had good moments in the game and former VFL player Sam Sheldon showed his class at times.

The Bombers have a big challenge this Saturday when they take on second side Shepp Swans, who are only game but a healthy percentage behind the top placed Bombers.

• Kyabram thirds kicked off a big day footy-wise for the club with a determined 13-point win over reigning premier Echuca.

Five second-half goals to Echuca’s two was the story of the hard-fought win.

Ky co-coach Peter Ryan was happy with his team’s endeavour and thought it had the chances to win by a larger margin.

‘‘We missed a lot of chances on goal,’’ Ryan said.

The Bombers had the best player afield in classy on-baller Charlie Isaac, who was supreme in the aerial duels and tight contests.

He was well supported by another gifted youngster and on-baller in Lachlan Carver, returning from the seniors, and Tyler Doolan, who had a tagging role in defence.

Captain Tyler Norman and Oliver Barnett were able to impact the result with top games along with winger Nick Smart, who threaded though the goal of the match and stood out in a good second half.

Dylan Priest also did some constructive work and key forward Hamish Sewart won the ball consistently but couldn’t convert.

• Kyabram’s under-16s were tipped out of the finals when beaten by Echuca in the final home and away round on Sunday.

The Bombers couldn’t afford to beaten by more than 33 points, but lost by 39, which cost them a spot in the finals.

The Murray Bombers led all day and a stronger second half delivered the win.

James Priest, Max Stockdale and Paddy Westerveld stood up for Kyabram and Jonty Sefton and Kade Drew also tried hard.

• Kyabram’s under-14 side will fly the flag in the finals and meet the Mooroopna Cats this Sunday after beating them in a top-of-the-ladder battle.

The Bombers overcame a sluggish first half, but when Riley Nicholson was moved from defence on to the ball, with good support support from Billy Isaac and Xavier Dodos, the young Bombers went up a few cogs and on to victory.

Jett Emini, with two goals, also played a key role in Kyabram’s second-half revival.

The Bombers meet Mooroopna in the first week of the finals at Mooroopna this Sunday, with the game starting at 1pm.

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Friday, 5th May 2023

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