Brilliant Bombers claim five-year first in Colbinabbin win

By Josh Huntly

Jun 4, 2023

Big steps: Leitchville-Gunbower defeated Colbinabbin by 14 points at the weekend. Photo: LGFNC

Leitchville-Gunbower overcame a 24-point quarter-time deficit against Colbinabbin to claim back-to-back wins for the first time in five years.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The Hoppers jumped out of the blocks with a six-goal first quarter, but a “mature” Bombers outfit restricted Colbinabbin to just one behind in the second, booting three goals of its own to get back within a goal at half-time.

The Bombers booted four goals in the premiership quarter to lead by 14 points at the final break, and won a consequent arm-wrestle in the last term to claim victory.

Leitchville-Gunbower coach Shannon Keam was impressed by his side’s resolve not to fold after a difficult start to the game.

“We got jumped at the start,” Keam said.

“It wasn’t an ideal start, but we showed a bit of maturity to crawl ourselves back into the game.

“We just had to address what we weren’t doing well in the first quarter.

“The boys adapted in a few key areas and once we started to do that we arm-wrestled it back in our favour.”

A pair of Bombers’ recruits starred, with Lachlan Sverns booting five goals and Caleb Hislop continuing his excellent start to life at Leitchville Reserve.

Josh Hawken and Jye Keath helped weather the Hoppers’ late charge, and Keam said the contest was a reflection of the club’s progress.

“If that had happened in the first five rounds of the year, we probably would have folded up like a table and it would have been over for the day,” he said.

“As we’re growing, I think it’s a good sign we were able to fight back.”

Leitchville-Gunbower has risen to sixth place on the Heathcote District Football League ladder, equal on wins with Lockington-Bamawm United, who sits fifth with a 3-5 record.

It’s the first time since 2018 Leitchville-Gunbower has claimed back-to-back wins in another promising step in the Bombers’ rebuild.

But for now, they will be forced to wait three weeks for their next game of football, with a scheduled bye next week before the King’s Birthday league bye the following week halting their run of momentum.

Meanwhile, Leitchville-Gunbower fell to a 38-70 defeat at the hands of the Hoppers in A-grade netball.

The Bombers made a strong start but the highly-fancied Colbinabbin fired from there to claim the win.

“We came out really strong and were able to match them,” coach Gemma Angove said.

“Maddie Curran was fantastic, she provides so much leadership in that attacking end.”