Kyabram has started the 2025 season in fine form, defeating 2024 finalist Euroa in round one before dispatching Tatura in round two on Saturday.
The Bombers travelled to Tatura Park heavy favourites against a young and inexperienced Bulldogs.
Tatura would have been keen on showing a response following last weekend’s 101-point defeat at the hands of Shepparton.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs and their fans, Bombers' line-up is chock-a-block with talent.
Kyabram started the match strong, creating plenty of chances but failing to capitalise, booting 4.6 to Tatura's 1.0 in the opening term.
The Bombers' goal-kicking woes continued in the second term as the visitors booted a wayward 4.10.
Kyabram coach Corey Carver said the reason for his side’s inaccuracy was due to the team not staying with its game plan.
“It is trying to stick to what you know you need to do when you are playing those games (against lower-ranked teams),” Carver said.
“You need to defend properly, make sure you are doing offensively what you have trained to do; not moving away from that.
“We did that in the second quarter and it meant we were having shots from the boundary line.
“Our first half was a little bit clunky, we weren’t very accurate which didn’t help and some of the kicking wasn’t great.”
Kyabram star Anthony Depasquale was the pick of the bunch among the forwards, booting a game-high five goals.
Carver said he is looking to make the most of the Werribee-listed player before he is called up to the VFL.
“(Depasquale) was very good yesterday and could have kicked a lot more to be honest,” he said.
“(Werribee) will have a look at him, it’s just a matter of how often, but they are also very good too Werribee.
“We are not sure (when he will be available to us), we will have to wait and see, but we certainly won’t have him all the time.”
Despite some inaccuracy lingering in the third term, Kyabram booted seven goals to outscore the Bulldogs 1-50 in the quarter alone.
The Bombers then rumbled on in the fourth adding another 46 points to the ledger to win the match 5.2 (32) to 22.28 (160).
Kyabram secured a plethora of big name recruits during the off-season and Carver believes they have all played their part across the opening two rounds.
“So far so good (for the recruits),” he said.
“Jack Russell has been very good, he has played on ball the first two games and he has been very good so we are very happy with him.
“Tom Holman is a good player and has been a really good target up forward so we like what he has done so far.
“The return of Mick Mattingly has helped us a lot too in the centre and he has started the year in really good form as well.”
Carver also made note of how well 2024 under-18 players Nic Jephson, Oscar Dixon and Angus Scoble have adapted to senior football.
Kyabram will be hoping to make it three wins on the trot to start the season when it takes on Benalla during an Easter Friday clash, while Tatura faces a tough task against three-time reigning premier Echuca on Saturday.
21°C