Star performer: Kyabram's Zac Keogh. Picture: Bruce Povey.
Photo by
Bruce Povey
FAST FACTS
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JOINED LEAGUE: 1894 NICKNAME: BOMBERS GROUND: KYABRAM RECREATION RESERVE COACH: PAUL NEWMAN PRESIDENT: PETER LEARMONTH PREMIERSHIPS: 1919, 1921, 1922, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1948, 1950, 1958, 1975, 1996, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019 MORRISON MEDALLISTS: J. COOPER (1958, 1961), C. STEWART (1963), R. CLAY (1964), P. GITTOS (1987), B. GUGLIOTTI (1993), M. MATTINGLY (2019) 2021 FINISH: 4TH (8–3) 2021 BEST-AND-FAIREST: ZAC KEOGH 2021 LEADING GOAL-KICKER: KYLE MUELLER (34)
Paul Newman is well aware he is on a hiding to nothing when he takes Kyabram into the 2022 season.
Newman, who has taken the reins from Brad Edwards and Mick Mattingly after a two-year spell, boasts an unprecedented country coaching record with the club with 83 wins from 84 games — including three premierships.
But without eight of the Bombers’ last premiership side of 2019 there has to be question marks on what the Bombers can and will achieve this season.
Premiership players from 2019 in Morrison medallist Mick Mattingly, Patrick Wearden, Josh Vick, Tom and Sam Sheldon, Axel Child, Nick Coulstock and Josh Pell have been departures from the Bombers’ hangar in the past two COVID-19 ravaged seasons.
X-factor: Kyle Mueller.
Photo by
Steve Huntley
The Bombers have also missed out on a star midfield recruit, former VFL and Canberra star Jordan Ludica, who according to Newman priced himself out of playing with the club.
On the credit side, three members — four times best-and-fairest winner Josh Morgan, Tom Holman and Jake Reeves — have returned to the club and another key player Brad Mangan, who suffered a season-ending injury early last year, will also be back hopefully early in the season.
Holman and Reeves were members and stars of the 2019 premiership side and Morgan missed that grand final through injury.
In addition to this recruits in former Girgarre coach Billy Barnes, Lancaster trio Zac Cerrone, Billy Ryan and James Ross and former player Ben Holman are adding extra depth to the Bombers.
Up and about: Kayne Pettifer.
Photo by
Steve Huntley
Anthony Depasquale from the Bendigo Pioneers, who played at senior level last season, is also full-time this year.
Newman remains positive that despite the Bombers’ departures his team can still be competitive against the better sides.
He has been more than happy with the club’s pre-season campaign with good numbers at training.
He believes with the likes of class players Morgan, Mangan, Lachie Smith, Zac Norris, goals wizard Kyle Mueller, Jake Reeves and super veteran Kayne Pettifer, Kaine Herbert and Aidan Robinson Kyabram still has the nucleus of a talented side.
‘‘We will be looking to our emerging players and some district recruits to step up a rung or two and we can still be very competitive,’’ Newman said.
IN: Billy Barnes (Girgarre), James Ross, Zac Cerrone, Billy Ryan (Lancaster), Tom Holman, Josh Morgan, Jake Reeves
OUT: Mick Mattingly (West Adelaide), Patrick Wearden, Josh Vick, Tom Sheldon, Sam Sheldon, Axel Child, Nick Coulstock, Josh Pell
FINISHING RANGE: 3RD–5TH
It feels strange placing the Kyabram juggernaut outside of the Goulburn Valley League top two, but with so much talent elsewhere it appears it could be on the outside looking in. However, with the likes of Zac Keogh, Kyle Mueller, Kayne Pettifer and Kaine Herbert still running around in the red and black, the Bombers will still be an incredibly tough task for all opponents and will be right in the thick of it come finals time.
GAME CHANGER: ZAC KEOGH
Reigning best-and-fairest winner Zac Keogh appears primed for another stellar GVL campaign. A pre-season fancy for the Morrison Medal, the gun midfielder will have to step up in the absence of running mate Mick Mattingly this season and will be pivotal to the Bombers’ hopes of defending their 2019 crown.
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