Spirited Tigers unable to cause upset

In the end, the Bombers were crowned premiers for the first time since 2019 after defeating a brave Tigers side by 30 points in Sunday’s grand final at Deakin Reserve.

A dynasty of the 2010’s, the Bombers channelled the glory of old to run out 13.14 (92) to 8.14 (62) win over the Tigers.

With the game still in the balance, a third-quarter purple patch from Tom Holman and starring performances from co-coach Kaine Herbert and Mick Mattingly laid the groundwork for Kyabram’s fifth flag this century.

Rochester coach Ash Watson would point to Holman’s impactful third period as one of the turning points in the game.

“Early I thought their clearances probably got us, they got us a bit through the midfield and they made the most of their opportunities forward,” Watson said.

“They just let us use the ball pretty well and cut us up on transition.

“They had a bit of a patch in the third quarter where they got a bit of momentum, and it was pretty hard to stop (Tom) Holman there in that little 10-minute patch.

“That’s probably the game right there.”

With former Kyabramite Garry Lyon watching on, co-captain Aidan Robinson and Zac Norris won the toss and opted to kick to the Skene Street end.

In dreary conditions, it was a flying Drew Lloyd who fired the first shot, turning a strong pack mark into the first goal of the grand final.

A sharp left foot snap from Liam Ogden opened the Bombers’ account, but leading Tigers’ goal-kicker Hugh Hamilton pulled the lead back with his first of the day in general play.

With the ball pin-wheeling between the arcs, Nicholas Jephson was waved in front of Ky’s goal after a 50-metre penalty, and Kaine Herbert swooped on a Tom Holman dropped mark to extend the Bombers’ lead to 11 points.

Anthony DePasquale roosted a 50-metre set shot tucked up near the boundary line to extend the lead further, and Kyabram went into the first change with a three-goal buffer.

Archie Watt and Herbert worked in tandem out of the Bombers midfield, with the ascendancy confirmed after Coby McCarthy was caught high and kicked truly to get Kyabram out to 24 points.

Rochester had the ball parked inside its arc but couldn’t capitalise until Hugh Hamilton snapped truly on his left against the flow of play to keep the Tigers in the game.

Ogden was the recipient of another 50-metre penalty goal, but Rochester weren’t going away, with Wil Hamilton taking a big mark on half forward and booting Rochester back into it again.

The half-time score favoured a Kyabram side showcasing a professionalism that had defined its entire season - 7.8 (50) played 5.1 (31).

When play resumed, however, it was the Tom Holman show.

The Kyabram key forward booted two goals in as many minutes to kickstart the quarter, finishing with three for the term after Mattingly found him flying inside-50.

Mitch Trewhella, Cooper Hamilton and Lloyd continued to toil for the Tigers, but Holman, supported by a rampant Herbert and a rising Brad Whitford, had the result all but confirmed at the three-quarter-time siren.

A story of the game became missed opportunity for the Tigers.

Rochester had its fair share of field position, particularly in the second half, but all too often an attacking kick would find its way into Kyabram hands, or the Bombers had the loose man around the contest, allowing them to break out of their defensive end.

Rochester made a late dash, but couldn’t find the big sticks, booting 2.10 to Kyabram’s two straight, Holman finishing with four goals and Coby McCarthy rubber-stamping a red and black flag with his second.

Ash Watson had plenty of good things to say about his squad despite the result.

“I thought (the boys) brought the heat, our pressure was good, proud of their effort, was just a bit of class in the end that cost us,” he said.

The AFL Victoria Country Medal was awarded to Herbert, while the Wilf Cox Medal recipient was none other than Mick Mattingly.

A heartbroken Mitch Trewhella was identified as the Barry Connolly medallist for best in the finals series, but it was clear to all in attendance that it was the premiership medal he was after on the day.

A brave Tigers were best served by Lloyd, O’Keefe, Trewhella and the Hamilton brothers, rising from significant recent heartbreak to challenge for the league crown once again.

While two great years for Rochester haven’t yet yielded a premiership flag, this won’t be the last we hear from this Tigers squad.

“Super proud of the year, grade A group, culture’s strong and the boys are loaded up ready to go again,” Watson said.

“Obviously, we’re disappointed, but we’ll be back again.”