As Kyabram welcomed Euroa for a round one stoush under lights, it was presented as a clash between two sides on vastly different presumed trajectories.
Sure, both had finished top six in 2024, but the two teams which exited in elimination finals were forecast to head in separate directions as Kyabram made signing after signing while Euroa haemorrhaged experience in the off-season.
It was safe to say it looked that way on the turf as well once a ball was finally bounced as the Bombers did everything in their power to affirm beliefs stemming from the pre-season.
The first 26 points on the board went the way of the red and black as Zac Cerrone chipped in for his first in Kyabram colours following a high-profile move from Lancaster, while Tom Holman also wasted no time getting busy upon his return to town.
Up by four goals at the first change, the air around the place gave off every inkling of a red and black procession, perhaps more like we saw earlier in the day at Princess Park and Deakin Reserve.
The Magpies would soon say ‘Not so fast’, however — and in a very literal sense, because the second term ground any and all scoreboard progression to a halt with just one major between the two sides — Holman’s second.
Twenty-nine points separated them at the half and there was once again little inkling of anything other than a stroll when Holman popped up once more for goal number three early in the third.
One man was dominating proceedings any time he got near it, though — and no, it wasn’t Werribee VFL signing Anthony Depasquale, who did manage to feature after a hand injury, but found the big sticks just once.
That man was Archie Watt, who took on all comers down each flank and burst passages of play into life single-handedly for all four quarters.
Even without the stats at hand, Watt was inarguably immense and played a pivotal role in helping keep Euroa at bay despite several of its recognisable names continuing to toil away on the scoreboard, led by Andrew Bell finding the big sticks twice.
It never turned into the thumping it could have been, a credit to the visitors, but the fireworks of last year’s classic didn’t eventuate either as the Bombers ran out a comfortable 14.10 (94) to 8.9 (57) win.
Corey Carver knew there was more — and better — left to come from his side in the aftermath.
“We knew it would be a contested game, as they’re a really good side at that,” Carver said.
“We knew they’d be good around stoppages, so we made them work hard there and it was tight all night.
“We could never really get away from them; at no stage did we feel like we were pulling away to get a break.
“There’s still a few in the team adapting to a game plan which would be different from what they played last year, but we missed too many kicks and fumbles at times when we didn’t need to, so it’s basics that we need to tidy up.
“Archie was great, clearly our best player in my opinion. He’s quick and dynamic, which allows him to get away from stoppages and he’s a really good kick.”
