Kyabram remains unbeaten after its biggest scare of the Goulburn Valley League season on Saturday.
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The home side was pushed all the way by a committed Shepparton, trying to stave off a fourth successive loss, and hung on to win by nine points, 10.15 to 9.12 in a well attended WorkSafe eighth round of GVL clashes at Kyabram.
No quarter was given or taken in the torrid clash, but unlike a couple of recent games when the Bombers ran over their rivals in the last quarter, Ky fans had to endure an anxious final 15 minutes as the Bears made a bold late bid to steal the game.
At one stage in the third term, Kyabram appeared to get right on top after a dourly fought first half dominated by defence.
But Shepparton was far from done and could have even stolen the game at the finish and ended Kyabram’s seven-game winning streak.
Two players can’t win games, but super veteran defender Jason Morgan and young key forward Charlie Barnett played match-winning roles in Kyabram’s win.
Morgan played with the dash of a 20-year-old with his intercept marking and clearing work all game.
He got great support from fellow defenders, including the uncanny Brad Whitford and Cooper Vick in particular.
Barnett’s breakout season produced a six-goal haul, which was a significant contribution given goals were a premium in the dourly fought affair.
His strong marking was a feature and his haul could have been more impressive only for a few misses from set shots.
The first half was frenetic and with a total of only seven goals, but Kyabram appeared to have broken the clash wide open with three of the first four goals in the third term.
But not to be denied, Shepparton fought back with three of the last four goals in that term, which gave it a sniff of victory.
And when it kicked three of the first four goals in the last stanza, it was game on and Kyabram was left to fight tooth and nail to hold its lead.
The Bombers took control of the game when big man Zac Norris and skipper Aidan Robinson got on top and on-ballers and midfielders in Eamonn Ogden, Kaine Herbert, Jack Russell, Josh Dillon, Archie Watt, Mitch Gugliotti and Bohden Learmonth began winning at ground level.
It was another serious test for the young Bombers who continue to keep answering what is thrown at them.
Co-coach Corey Carver said he was pleased with the way his charges found a way to grind out the win.
‘‘They kept us under a lot of pressure, and we were able to respond,’’ said Carver.
This Saturday, the Bombers journey to Euroa which usually puts up a stout fight on its home turf regardless of its ladder position.
Sidelined senior players Coby McCarthy, Angus Scoble and Tom Burnett are likely to miss again along with Mick Mattingly, but Oscar Dixon, who missed last Saturday, should return with forgotten young talent Nic Jephson also a chance to resume.
My best for Kyabram were Jason Morgan, Charlie Barnett, Brad Whitford, Eamonn Ogden, Kaine Herbert, Jack Russell, Zac Norris and Aidan Robinson.
Kyabram reserves had to dig deep to stave off a bold Shepparton bid to inflict their first loss of the season.
The Bombers had 24 points to spare at the final siren in their closest finish this season. But they did have absentees, so it was still a well-earned and rewarding win.
There was only a kick or two between the teams all day, but Kyabram was able to counter every move by the visitors in the 8.9 to 5.7 win.
Will Wild again did the finishing off work for the Bombers around goals, booting six majors, four in succession at the end of the first term and start of the second quarter.
Kyabram’s key prime movers were Miller Griffiths, Cooper Fawcett, Conan Hooper, Sean Dillon and Ash Quinn.
Ruckman and skipper Jayden Fitzgerald and Brenton Brasier and Tom Curnow also were prominent.
Riley Gallivan led the defence in inspiring fashion again and had plenty of support while Baily Pyke, Ben Railton and Brad Edwards contributed.
Kyabram has now won its eight games this season and should extend its winning streak against a battling Euroa this Saturday.
Shepparton spoilt Kyabram’s footy record of its three teams remaining undefeated this season when its thirds team overrun the Bombers in the early game.
The young Bombers hung in for a half but managed only two second-half goals, while the visitors slammed through seven to run out winners by 53 points.
The Bombers had not lost a game this season, but did share the premiership points with Shepparton United earlier in the season.
Co-coach Peter Ryan said his side tried hard against quality rivals who were ‘‘superior at the one-percenters’’.
‘‘We just didn’t put them under enough pressure for long enough,’’ Ryan said.
Defenders Jack Donaldson, Nathan Kuiper and Oliver Barnett worked overtime for the Bombers with Kuiper also doing well in a stint on the wing.
Lachy Carver and Charlie Isaac were the pick of the on-ballers and midfielders, while key forward Hamish Stewart with two goals lacked the chances to kick more.
Ryan said Shepparton was reportedly well below top strength for the clash and was definitely the side to beat for the flag.
Tyler Norman and Nic Smart are on the sidelines currently for Ky which meets Euroa this week, the side that unexpectedly upset it last season at Euroa, which Ryan and his co-coach Mark Patten haven’t forgotten.
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