Bombers still the best team

The Tigers hung in there for three quarters but when Kyabram kicked into overdrive the home team was left eating its dust.

Kyabram racked up a quickfire 6.5 for the quarter to Rochy’s 0.2.

For all its efforts the final 30 minutes proved to be a quarter too far.

‘‘That final term proved why they are the benchmark,’’ coach James Flaherty said.

‘‘Their experience around the contest was pivotal. In the end, they broke the game open on the outside and we couldn’t go with them.

‘‘But the boys deserve credit for how they did perform especially early in the game.’’

While the result saw the home side record their third straight defeat to start the season, there were still plenty of positives.

At various stages of the game, the Tigers dictated the tempo of play as they looked to break down a strong Bomber defence.

In particular, ball movement from the defensive 50 to forward of centre flowed as well as any team in the competition.

‘‘I was really pleased with the composure we showed coming out of the backline,’’ Flaherty said.

‘‘We’ve been focusing on that at training and it’s translating into games which is always nice to see.

‘‘Now we have to make sure we’re hitting our forwards to give them every opportunity.’’

Kyabram pair Kyle Mueller and Kayne Pettifer proved dynamic throughout the day as they kicked 13 goals between them.

But it could have been a lot more if not for the efforts of James Gledhill.

Throughout the day, Gledhill limited the danger of Pettifer in particular, forcing the ball to ground on several occasions.

‘‘James halved almost 90 percent of the contests he was involved in,’’ Flaherty said.

‘‘He probably didn’t deserve to have that many goals kicked on him in the end.

‘‘The waves of attack probably became a little too much.

‘‘It’s very difficult for a defender when there isn’t much pressure up the ground.’’

The Tigers will be looking for their first win of the season this weekend when they take on Tatura away.