On paper, it looked a candidate for being the weakest team Kyabram has put on the field for a decade.
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But in reality, it produced one of the fiercest performances a Kyabram team has put in in that time.
Unfortunately, it lasted for only three and half quarters.
In that half a quarter, Kyabram’s rival Seymour pounced and kicked five goals to sink the gallant Bombers by 22 points, 13.13 to 10.9.
Kyabram went into the game minus eight players who would walk into the senior team if available.
Co-captain Zac Norris joined the Bombers’ lengthy injury list and other marquee players Tony Depasquale, Brad Whitford, Aidan Robinson, Jack Russell, Jack Sheldon and Rueben Rode were on the sidelines for various reasons, mainly injuries.
Norris and Whitford joined the growing list last week.
The Bombers promoted Riley Gallivan and Danny Miller for their first senior games, and Mitch Gugliotti, on the comeback trail, was also called up to help fill the gaping holes in the side.
In a committed effort, the Bombers shocked the Lions early and only for bad kicking on goals should have had the game sewn up by half-time.
At quarter-time, Kyabram had kicked 4.6 while Seymour battled to put 2.1 on the scoreboard in the same period.
Class acts Rhys Clark and Jason Morgan at opposite ends of the ground were in control, Josh Dillon was inspiring at the coalface as usual and under-18 ruckman Charlie Isaac was holding his own and often out playing taller and more experienced rivals.
Winger Jack Sinclair played his best game for the season and Coby McCarthy got a lot of the Sherrin; infact there were no passengers.
In defence, the ageless Mogan received maximum support from Jake Pakinson who spent the second half in the midfield.
Seymour gradually narrowed the margin as the game progressed until halfway through the last quarter when the Bombers’ wheels fell off.
The Bombers became frustrated and undisciplined in their positional play as well as in their temperament and Seymour cashed in big time.
It was a disappointing end to what looked to be a major upset brewing until the final 15 minutes of the game.
Kyabram’s defence left the goals unguarded and miskicks and brain fades made Seymour’s job of winning that much easier.
The lesson the Bombers should have learnt from their final quarter stumble is that when you are only as good as your rivals and no better you have to play disciplined football to achieve your aims.
Co-coach Corey Carver said his side was ‘‘great for 110 minutes’’ but Seymour’s late burst of goals had done an injustice as to how well his side had played.
‘‘We were down eight or nine senior players but everyone had a dip,’’ said Carver.
Despite the loss Kyabram hung onto sixth place and face another blockbuster this Saturday when they host Shepparton Swans, who beat them in the second round of the season, and are also one of the sides in the battle for a top six finish to play finals.
Co-captain Zac Norris (shoulder) and Aidan Robimson (concussion) should be available and Brad Whitford (hamstring) is a chance.
My best for Kyabram were Josh Dillon, Charlie Isaac, Rhys Clark, Jason Morgan, Jake Parkinson, Coby McCarthy and Jack Sinclair.
Reserves
Kyabram reserves suffered their second loss for the season, but alarm bells aren’t ringing.
Because of the injury list in the seniors ,the reserves side had to recruit five players from the thirds to make up the numbers and it was anyone’s game till the final siren
Noah Ryan in defence was a standout for Kyabram and got a lot of support from young players Jack Donaldson and the classy Max Carroll.
Big men Benton Brazier, Jayden Fitzgerald, making a return to the side, were good contributors for the four quarters and co-coach and onballer Sean Dillon worked hard to keep Kyabram in the game until the end.
Classy Jarryd Petzel was again the pick of the forwards with a four goal haul while veteran Ash Quinn chipped in with two goals to help keep the Bombers in touch.
It was the team’s first defeat since Echuca lowered its colours in round four and hopefully with some players returning this Saturday it will bounce back against the Shepparton Swans at home.
Under-18s
Kyabram thirds had another tough struggle but got over the line by eight points in trying conditions.
Short on numbers, coach Mark Patten thanked under-16 coach Paul Newman for providing three players from his team to make up the numbers.
Mitch Wilson played a tenacious and inspirational game in defence with strong support from the consistent Oscar Carver.
Classy onballers Jedd Turpin and midfielder Tyler Doolan were also key players in keeping Kyabram with its nose in front along with under-16 star Max Stockdale on a wing and onball.
Forward Ben Chapman, who also does the ruck duties in the forward half, also continued his improvement and presented all day.
The fighting win follows a one point loss to Mooroopna two weeks ago and a six point win over Benalla the previous week and keeps Ky in equal third place with Mooroopna.
They have a two game break on Tatura and Shepparton with seven home and away rounds remaining, starting with a winnable game this Saturday against the Shepparton Swans.