One lesson learnt from history is that grand finals can produce upset results.

If Kyabram’s current footballers cast their memory back to 2009, when most were only youngsters, they should be well aware nothing can be taken for granted when football premierships are on the line.

In that year the Bombers beat Mansfield in a GVL qualifying final at Mooroopna by nearly 10 goals to book their spot in the grand final.

Under their coach, former Collingwood premiership defender Craig Kelly, Mansfield recovered to win the preliminary final and the right to meet Kyabram again in the season decider.

Mansfield then floored the pundits — and Kyabram — to embarrass the Bombers in that season’s flag showdown.

Yes, the Bombers were guilty of getting ahead of themselves after their convincing qualifying final win to make the grand final.

That result was a good example of what premiership battles can dish up, and for Kyabram to take nothing for granted when it meets Rochester for the GVL flag at Shepparton’s Deakin Reserve on Sunday.

The Bombers have had two wins over their grand final rivals this season, the last three weeks ago in a qualifying final in the Tigers’ own lair by 42 points.

The Bombers, the competition pacesetters all season, will be hot favourites to win on Sunday on their season and finals form to date.

Co-coach Corey Carver and the Bombers’ coaching panel will do their homework diligently again, as they did two weeks ago to dismantle Mansfield.

Carver makes no secret of what the main ingredient has been in the recipe the Bombers have used all season to maintain consistent success: pressure.

‘‘Pressure, particularly frontal pressure, has been helping us a lot to win games and hopefully it will again on Sunday,“ he said.

‘‘Limiting turnovers will also play a big role in our bid.“

But Carver also acknowledges Kyabram’s onball brigade, boasting Zac Norris, skipper Aidan Robinson, Mick Mattingly, Kaine Herbert, Archie Watt, Jack Russell and Liam Ogden, is the classiest in the league and a key to Kyabram’s fortunes.

Tom Holman, who has booted five goals in both finals, spearheads a goal-kicking forward line where Charlie Barnett, Anthony Depasquale and Riley Ironside are also capable of adding scoreboard pressure.

And Jason Morgan and Brad Whitford have returned to Kyabram’s defence in recent games to give it a complete look again.

There are no apparent gaping holes in this Kyabram side, which has proved all season if it brings its A game it’s almost unbeatable.

Carver said after its crushing qualifying win over Mansfield to book its spot in season decider, any changes in the Kyabram line-up would be unlikely.

Speedster Eamonn Ogden, who has missed Kyabram’s two finals to date due to work commitments, will come under consideration.

Rochester has its share of classy players, with Ryan O’Keefe, Mitch Trewella, Hamish Hooppell, Matt Kellett, Drew Lloyd and the Hamilton brothers coming off impressive finals performances to date.

Possible rain tipped for Sunday could even up the battle somewhat, but the Tigers may lack the depth of talent of their rivals.

• Kyabram reserves will be chasing a flag in the curtain raiser against Seymour, and will be at full strength for the premiership bid.

Tenacious rover Mitch Gugliotti will return from injury, Tom Burnett from a one-match suspension, and if not picked in the senior side, Eamonn Ogden will come under consideration.

The Bombers also got a boost in their second semi-final win with the return of goal-kicking key forward and former skipper Will Wild after a lengthy stint on the sidelines. He is still a potential matchwinner.

Co-coach Sean Dillon says it’s Kyabram’s premiership to lose.

‘‘We have beaten Seymour twice this season and I’m confident our depth of talent can get us through again,’’ he said.

The Bombers have set the pace all season and bringing their best to the table in the most important game of the season should be enough to snare the flag.

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Thursday, 14th January 2027

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