A Free Press reader has discovered evidence of what would be one of the last Kyabram sides to don colours not familiar to Bomber fans these days.

Frank Taylor stumbled across a photo of a Kyabram side (circa 1905) that displayed players wearing white and red stripes.

Further investigations, using the book Kyabram Football Club 1884 to 1948 written by former Kyabram footballer Neil Hindson and club secretary the late Trevor Stone, reveal that four years later, in 1910, Kyabram switched to a black and red jumper similar to what the Kyabram players wear today.

Formed in 1894 with Mr Goddard president and Mr Crowie secretary, Kyabram Football Club joined the Goulburn District Football Association and its rivals were Tatura, Undera, Shepparton Ramblers, Mooroopna and Shepparton.

After a match that season that it lost to Undera, a meeting was held at Kyabram’s Albion Hotel and the Kyabram club was disbanded due to financial problems, allowing players to join Undera.

But another extraordinary meeting a few nights later revealed the Kyabram club was in credit, and it continued to field a side, and a match against a newly formed Tongala side resulted in a big win for Kyabram.

Kyabram’s first flag in the GVL in 1919 was achieved under a rule that allowed the minor premier (the club that finished on top of the ladder at the end of the home-and-away season) to challenge its conqueror in the semi-finals for the premiership.

Tatura beat Kyabram in the first final by five points to claim the flag, but Kyabram used its right to challenge and won the grand final against Tatura by the same margin.

That was the start of Kyabram’s first golden era where it won six flags in 10 years including its only hat-trick of premierships, in 1926, 1927 and 1928.

GVL on the hunt for new interleague opponent

The Goulburn Valley League is mounting a search for an interleague opponent after the Bendigo Football League and Ovens and Murray League announced they had locked in the 2026 and 2027 seasons to play each other.

In the past four years, the GVL and Ovens and Murray League have locked horns, with the latter winning three of the four confrontations.

The GVL only heard of the O&M’s intentions recently and now is looking for a new rival.

GVL operations manager Brad Noonan said all GVL clubs were now aware of the situation and the league was awaiting their input into possible future plans regarding interleague football.

This year’s GVL side was captained by Kyabram’s Aidan Robinson.

Star Tiger exits

Kyabram District Football Club Rushworth’s best-and-fairest player of this year is on the move.

Tough onballer Liam Francis has signed with Essendon District Football League club Pascoe Vale for 2026.

Pascoe Vale is the club Kyabram premiership player Liam Ogden recently announced he was returning to play with next year after donning the Kyabram jumper for the past two seasons.

Francis is a Rushworth boy who captained the Kyabram thirds and played senior football with the club before returning to the KDL Tigers last season.

He had a stellar season this year, helping Rushworth reach the preliminary final and winning the League’s McNamara Medal.

Kyabram’s 14-year-old wonder boy

I wasn’t entirely surprised with young cricketer Anthony Evans’ sensational debut for Kyabram Cricket Club in Cricket Shepparton’s Haisman Shield competition on Saturday.

Only 14 years of age, Evans blasted out four Old Students batsmen for 29 runs in seven overs.

In his second over, he claimed three wickets and at one stage was on a hat-trick as he bowled Kyabram to victory.

My first glance at Evans was in a recent pre-season T20 game, and my immediate thought watching him bowl was that he had a smooth action. He comes off a long run-up and bowls with genuine pace and accuracy.

He can’t be judged on one match-winning effort, but he is certainly among the most promising 14-year-old pace bowlers I have seen in 60 years covering local cricket for this paper.

Herakles cruises to win

It was a home town win in last week’s Techies Tyes Kyabram Pacing Cup at the Shepparton meeting with Herakles saluting.

Herakles is trained by Kyabram trainer Kristy Butler and gave a dashing front running display to hold all rivals at bay.

Can Be A Ruebe and Gunforhire filled he minor placings.

A five-year-old son of Hes Watching Herakles has enjoyed a good year with four wins and four minor placings from 18 starts.

He started his racing career in Tasmsnia where his trainer hails from and has now chalked up nine career wins from 38 starts.

Herakles was driven by Mark Pitt who also partnered the The Post Master, trained by his wife Lisa, to his second win on the track at his last two outings at the meeting.

The Kevin Arahams Memorial Trotters Cup was claimed by Champagnie Charlie who made a fast getaway from a 50m backmark handicap and was always in a winning position.

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Thursday, 13th January 2028

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