Back in business: Tom Holman had not hit the scoreboard this season before his three-goal game for the Bombers against Shepparton. He kicked three goals from 15 disposals and laid three tackles in the forward half.
Even Kyabram coach Paul Newman described it as “very frustrating”.
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The Bombers made heavy work of shrugging of a determined Shepparton in an error-filled display at Kyabram on Saturday.
“We are a long way off at the moment. We are not combing as a side and too many players are contributing only in patches,” Newman said.
The Bombers were again rudderless up forward with little system, which was highlighted by its 30-shots-to-14 on goal, but only a 27-point winning margin at the finish against a side that probably won’t play finals.
It is early days yet for things to be corrected, but if the Bombers turn up against the better sides and squander chances around the goals like they have in their last two games they will pay the price.
Newman did say before the season started it could take the Bombers five or six games to get their act together and it certainly looked like that on Saturday.
After conceding the first two goals the Bombers were in front by quarter-time courtesy of goals to Anthony Depasquale, Cooper Vick, Aidan Robinson and Tom Holman and from then on were never headed.
But they never threatened to blow the game wide open against determined opposition.
Vick was the most productive of the Kyabram forwards on the day and kicked four goals, while Tom Holman with three and Deqasquale and Kayne Pettifer with two each were able to apply scoreboard pressure.
Holman also spent time in the back half on the day where Jason Morgan was the standout with most support from Lachie Smith and Riley Ironside.
In terms of four-quarter performers, on-baller Kaine Herbert and ruckman Zac Norris were the pick again for the Bombers, while Liam Ogden was one of its top possession winners in his best game since his return.
Herbert has the best worth ethic of all of the Kyabram players and Morris is rarely beaten these days. He found Shepparton big-man Bryce Stephenson a handful at the centre bounces, but again did a lot of telling work around the ground.
Livewire Reuben Rode was again the pick of the Kyabram recruits while Bendigo Pioneers’ Mitch Dodos, back for a four-week stint with the Bombers from the Bendigo Pioneers, and another of the young brigade Charlie Barnett showed their skills at times.
Midfield Essendon VFL recruit Wills Golds is expected to get the all clear to make his debut with the Bombers this Saturday against Tatura, but key players in Brad Mangan and Zac Keogh are still a couple of games off returning for their first games for the season.
My best for Kyabram were: Kaine Herbert, Zac Norris, Reuben Rode, Cooper Vick, Tom Holman and Anthony Depasquale.
GOALS, Kyabram: Cooper Vick 4, Tom Holman 3, Anthony Depasquale 2, Kayne Pettifer 2, Kyle Mueller 1, Zac Norris 1, Shepparton: A. Andronaco 2, J. Dhosi 2, L. McShane 2, J. Cooper 1, L. Rumbiolo 1, N. Byrne 1, T. Baden 1.
BEST, Kyabram: Zac Norris, Reuben Rode, Kaine Herbert, Tom Holman, Mitch Dodos. Shepparton: C. Fleming, T. Baden, J. McGregor, B. Stephenson, A. De Cicco.
Mitch Dodos played his third Goulbun Valley league senior game on Saturday after returning from Bendigo Pioneers duties. He missed the second half of last season with a back injury before returning to play in Kyabram’s losing reserve grade grand final.
— Kyabram reserves made it three wins in succession to start the season with a 32-point win.
It was an even battle for the first half, but the Bombers cut loose with five-to-one third-quarter goals to get a winning break, which they defended grimly until the end of the game.
The team appears to have found a reliable forward in new recruit Dylan Argus who finished with four goals.
Tom Bruhn and Will Burnett, with two goals each, and Cooper Fawcett and Breon Nolan and Liam Dillon were also able to add scoreboard pressure.
The Bombers also got a top game again out of ruckman Jayden Fitzgerald who put in all day with his ruck partner Brenton Brasier and Caleb Williams.
Captain Wil Wild again led from the front playing forward and back while Luke Smith also did a lot of good work in the back half.
Tom Gullivan got into the game after a slow start, Miller Griffiths and Will Campbell also were able to contribute despite playing in the thirds game.
— Kyabram thirds displayed a never-say-die fighting spirit to rally in the last quarter and snatch a five-point win from Shepparton Bears’ clutches.
In an entertaining clash very little separated the sides throughout the game, but when the visitors got a three-goal break early in the last the Bombers had to dig deep and successive to goals to Bailey Pyke, Bailey White, Miller Griffiths and Cal Leocata got them over the line in a stirring finish.
The Bombers had an outstanding player in full-back Archer Guinan, who backed his judgement all game, while Angus Scoble and Archie Watt were again the main prime movers.
Bailey White was lively up forward again with two goals while Danny Miller, Miller Griffiths and Nic Jephson also stood out at times.
Cooper Vick awoke from an early season slumber by kicking four goals against Shepparton on Saturday, his first of the season. He took five marks inside 50 and is now on the hunt to better last year’s 30-goal season.
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