The Bombers produced a dominant four-quarter performance at Kyabram Recreation Reserve to get over the line, with the 23.17 (155) to 8.6 (54) scoreline heavily in their favour.
An 11-goal haul to Lachlan Smith gave the home support something to cheer about, with Smith’s bag of goals helping the side lead at every change.
Kyabram coach Paul Newman said he was pleased with the win.
“We did what we needed to do and we won well,” Newman said.
“The most pleasing thing was we played a pretty good brand of football considering the personnel that were missing, especially through the middle.”
The Bombers were without Kyle Mueller, Kayne Pettifer, Nic Denahy, Hayden Gemmill, Jack Sheldon and Mitch Gugliotti on the day.
Newman said he was looking forward to getting some of these players back for the last two rounds, with a spot in the finals on the line.
“Hopefully we can get them all back at the one time,” he said.
“We can secure that (a finals spot) this week I think with a win over Mansfield, they gave us a fair old touch up earlier on in the year, they’re obviously in really good form.
“It’s not going to be an easy task by any means up there, but we still believe in what we’re capable of doing.”
Smith was named best on ground for his 11-goal haul, while Jason Morgan, Zac Keogh, Anthony DePasquale and Kaine Herbert also stood out.
“It was good to have Zac back,” Newman said.
“We don’t necessarily have the luxury all the time of having Lach up forward, but he’s pretty formidable when he’s up there.
“And Jason Morgan did what he usually does, Kaine Herbert through the middle of the ground was fantastic.
“We think we’ve got some tools that can really stretch opposition defences.”
For Benalla, Chris Welsh was named best, alongside the talented Tom Downie, Chris Bamford, Jake Pallpratt and Will O’Donoghue.
Despite picking up their third loss in a row, the Saints will face off with Shepparton this weekend, a team they edged out in round 10.
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