GVL powerhouse Kyabram back on the top rung after defeating Rochester in the grand final
Kyabram is a familiar name in the Goulburn Valley League flag game and have been crowned premiers for the first time since 2019 after defeating a brave Rochester by 30 points in Sunday’s grand final at Deakin Reserve.
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A dynasty of the 2010s, the Bombers channelled the glory of old to run out to a 13.14 (92) to 8.14 (62) win over the Tigers.
“I’m rapt, stoked for the players who worked their backsides off all year,” Kyabram co-coach Corey Carver said.
“They've all bought in, so I couldn’t be happier for them.”
It was a flying Drew Lloyd for Rochester who fired the first shot, however, turning a strong pack mark into the first goal of the grand final.
A sharp left foot snaps from Liam Ogden opened the Bombers’ account, but leading Tigers goal-kicker Hugh Hamilton pulled the lead back with his first of the day in general play.
With the ball pin-wheeling between the arcs, Nicholas Jephson was waved in front of Ky’s goal after a 50m penalty and Kaine Herbert swooped on a Holman dropped mark to extend the Bombers’ lead to 11 points.
Anthony Depasquale roosted a 50m set shot to extend the lead further, and Kyabram went into the first change with a three-goal buffer.
Archie Watt and Herbert worked in tandem out of the Bombers’ midfield, with the ascendancy confirmed after Coby McCarthy was caught high and kicked truly to get Kyabram out to 24 points.
Rochester had the ball parked inside its arc, but couldn’t capitalise until Hugh Hamilton snapped on his left against the flow of play to keep the Tigers in the game.
Ogden was the recipient of another 50m penalty goal, but Rochester wasn’t going away, with Wil Hamilton taking a big mark on half-forward and booting Rochester back into it again.
But, Herbert continued to be dominant around the stoppage, allowing Jephson another mark and goal.
The half-time score favoured a Kyabram side showcasing a professionalism that had defined its entire season – 7.8 (50) played 5.1 (31).
However, when play resumed, it was the Tom Holman show.
The Kyabram key forward booted two goals in as many minutes to kick-start the quarter, finishing with three for the term after Mattingly found him flying inside 50.
It was a purple patch that turned the tide of the game, with a Riley Ironside major sending the Bombers 43 points clear after 11 minutes.
Mitch Trewhella, Cooper Hamilton and Lloyd continued to toil for the Tigers, but Holman, supported by a rampant Herbert and a rising Brad Whitford, had the result all but confirmed at the three-quarter time siren.
Rochester made a late dash, but couldn’t find the big sticks, booting 2.10 to Kyabram’s two straight, Holman finishing with four goals and McCarthy rubber-stamping a red and black flag with his second.
The AFL Victoria Country Medal was awarded to Herbert, while the Wilf Cox Medal recipient was none other than Mattingly.
“It’s absolutely unbelievable mate, its the best feeling you’ll ever have,” Herbert said, reflecting on the match.
“(The AFL Vic Country Medal) means a lot to be given it, but, I can’t do it without all the boys, so it’s good.
“It’s been a big season, we started in November–we’ve just been grinding and grinding all year and working hard, and now it’s finally paid off.”
Carver highlighted some key contributors to in the contest.
“Tom Holman got to work in that third quarter, which was huge, straightened us up and probably got the momentum going,” he said.
“We just had a really good on-ball group who we could rotate fairly heavily.
“Most clubs might only have three or four, and we had five or six that we could just keep rotating through.
“The back six were amazing today, they just held up all day.”
Supporters cheered as Norris and Robinson brandished the premiership cup, a familiar sight to the Bombers’ faithful, which will no doubt be celebrating Kyabram’s sweet 16th GVL premiership.