Members of four premiership Kyabram sides — the 1965, 1985 and 1995 thirds teams and the 1975 senior side — watched on as the Bombers scored a 13-point win — 14.7 to 10.18 — on its home ground.
In a game of fluctuating fortunes, the Bombers’ ability to maximise their scoring chances was the difference between the two teams.
And it was co-captain Aidan Robinson who led the way in this respect, bagging seven goals in a best-on-ground display.
The big man’s mobility, strong marking and accurate kicking was on display for the four quarters and he is now one of the league’s most influential players.
His second-quarter burst of three goals provided Kyabram with the scoreboard edge it defended for the rest of the game in the face of spirited and persistent opposition, which didn’t take a backward step all day and had its chances to cause the upset.
While Robinson was turning on a match winning display at Kyabram’s goalmouth, its old warrior Jason Morgan was repelling most of the consistent forward advances of the visitors with another masterful game of defending.
Given he is 39 years old, what Morgan can still do on a football field is nothing short of freakish.
On Saturday he got a lot of support from young defenders Oscar Dixon and Charlie Isaac.
The main prime movers for the Bombers were their onball brigade led by ruckmen Robinson and Zac Norris and Kayne Herbert, Mick Mattingly and Josh Dillon.
Herbert played his usual tireless game, Mattingly was busy all day, and Dillon was prominent as he always is at the coal face.
Robinson and Norris had a man mountain in Mark Kovacevic to contend with, and while the Swans’ big man dominated the ruck, the Ky pair did a lot of constructive work around the ground.
Eamonn Ogden, Charlie Barnett, Jack Russell and first game Cooper Fawcett also showed out at times to help the Kyabram cause.
The Bombers went into the game without key defender Brad Whitford with a groin injury, but he may be right for the trip to Rochester this Saturday when the two current top teams on the ladder meet.
While Kyabram is undefeated, Rochester has lost only one game, to the Shepparton Swans, so it should be a cracking contest.
My best for Kyabram were: Aidan Robinson, Jason Morgan, Kayne Herbert, Mick Mattingly, Josh Dillon and Eamonn Ogden.
Reserves
Kyabram reserves remain the only unbeaten side in their competition after a three points win over the Swans — 6.10 to 6.7.
Miller Griffiths kicked the winning goal for Kyabram in the dying stages of what was a low scoring arm wrestle.
Kyabram held a handy 15 points lead at half-time, but the Swans got themselves back in the game in the third term when they kicked 2.1 to Kyabram’s 0.1 to set the stage for an absorbing last term.
Both sides managed only one goal for the quarter, but Kyabram had its nose in front when it counted.
Miller Hall and another midfielder in Ben Railton were standout for Ky and Sam Vick, Billy McLay and Danny Miller also turned in solid games to help their side get over the line to remain undefeated
Thirds
Kyabram thirds bounced back from their unexpected loss to Euroa the previous week to blitz the Swans by 70 points.
The young Bombers made their intentions known in the first term when they skimmed over the frosty surface to kick 4.4 to 1.1 to set their way to a dominant win.
The Bombers had a reliable target up forward in burly Hamish Stewart, who marked strongly and slotted through a match winning seven goals.
Hunter Fawcett was the other multiple goal scorer for Kyabram with two, while Nic Smart, Lachy Carver and Tyler Doolan also added scoreboard pressure with one major each.
Apart from Stewart, the young Bombers got top games from onballers Lachy and Oscar Carver and Josh Francis, while Max Carroll turned in his usual tireless and fearless game.
The Bombers, currently in third place, meet another top side in Rochester this Saturday.
Under-16
Kyabram’s under-16 and under-14 sides also had wins at the weekend, both against Echuca.
The Paul Newman-coached under-16 side won a thrilling contest by three points in a high standard clash.
James Priest, Max Stockdale, Arch Backway, Mitch Wilson and Anthony Depasquale were midfielders and onballers in the thick of the action all day, while key forward Sam Bruhn and key defender Wil Harrison and ruckman Cooper Wilson all stood up when needed.
It was the second game in the revamped competition with Kyabram also winning its first game the previous week against Shepparton Swans.
Kyabram meets another Echuca side at the Kyabram recreation reserve in round three this Sunday starting at noon.
Under-14
The Brenton Sheppard coached Kyabram under-14 side also had an impressive win over Echuca on Sunday at Moama.
Rhys Parsons, Billy Isaac, Sam Stokes and Jett Emini, who kicked five goals, were standouts for the young Bombers who face a huge test this Sunday in a top of the ladder clash with Mooroopna at Kyabram starting at 10am.
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