Benalla v Kyabram
Semi-final, 2015 at Memorial Oval
Benalla 10.6 (66) lt Kyabram 11.5 (71)
Benalla and Kyabram played off four times in 2015, culminating in a Saints-Bombers grand final – which the Saints ultimately won in empathic fashion.
While the fairy-tale flag was one of the Saints’ defining moments this century, the match itself – with a margin of 59 points - paled in comparison to the semi-final a fortnight earlier.
Benalla came in as clear favourite, but it was Kyabram that booked its grand final appearance first, with a final-minute charge from the Saints falling short.
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Young gun Hayden Gemmill proved the difference for Kyabram, the small forward capitalising on his opportunities to kick five goals for the Bombers.
‘‘It was good to get on to a few, but the boys fed me really well and I couldn’t have asked for better service up forward,’’ Gemmill said.
‘‘It was always going to be a big game against Benalla, we were obviously coming in as the underdogs, but it was great to get the win and we’ll look forward to two weeks’ time now.’’
Sam and Tom Sheldon were also among Kyabram’s best, while Benalla relied on a more even approach up forward, with Mitch Exton, Nick Warnock, James Martyn, and Farran Priest all chipping in with two goals each.
KYABRAM DISTRICT LEAGUE
Violet Town v Longwood
Round three, 2014 at Violet Town Recreation Reserve
Violet Town 21.11 (137) d Longwood 9.13 (67)
The scoreline in this early season clash suggests a one-sided contest, but for three quarters the Redlegs were right in the hunt against Violet Town.
The Towners summoned a stunning second-half performance to blow the Redlegs out of the water by game’s end, kicking 14 goals to five after half-time.
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New playing coach Sean Horsburgh was exceptional for the Towners, kicking five goals, and was equally assisted by Tim Ross and Peter McKay (four each).
Longwood coach Matthew Chilcott also starred with four goals in his first game in charge, while star Western Australian recruits Leigh Hughes and Brad Triplett impressed.
OVENS AND KING LEAGUE
Goorambat v Milawa
Elimination final, 2017 at Milawa Recreation Reserve
Goorambat 11.12 (78) d Milawa 6.8 (44)
After losing to Milawa in an elimination final a year prior, Goorambat enacted its revenge in 2017, beating the Demons by 34 points to progress to the second week of finals.
Despite coming into the clash off the back of four defeats in five games, Goorambat perfected its form at the right time to control proceedings all day.
Goorambat president David Hernan said a strong first quarter kicking with the wind set up the Bats’ win.
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“They finished the (first) quarter with a 21-point advantage,” Hernan said.
“Kicking into the wind was more difficult in the second quarter.
“Nevertheless, the team kept the standard up with James Dalton playing a great game in the backline.”
Dalton’s strong play across the ground earned him best on ground honours, while Andrew Polwarth and Adam Ramzy both snagged three goals.
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