The Kyabram Under 18 side, boosted by some impressive recruits from neighbouring clubs not participating in competitions this season due to the coronavirus restrictions, took a commanding early lead and ran out 82-point winners, 17.14 (116) to 5.4 (34).
Tongala additions McKenzie Cowley and Sam Cipriani, who had experience with the Blues seniors in the Murray League last year, bagged seven of Kyabram's nine second-half goals.
Cipriani got three second-half goals for a match total of four while Cowley booted four goals in the last two quarters, including three in succession early in the third term, which ended hopes the visitors had of getting back into the game.
The Bombers kicked the first five goals of the game but were outscored in the second quarter.
Another of the Tongala additions, Talbot Varcoe, also caused the Euroa defence plenty of worries in the first half.
Kyabram forwards feasted on the opportunities created by the onballers and midfielders, led by Tom Burnett, who had the ball on a string all day in a best-afield performance.
Liam Dillon was also active all day for the Bombers while Darcy Keck and Zavier Briggs were players who won the ball regularly though the midfield and Mitchell Fitzgerald dominated when he went into the ruck.
Noah Sewell, Ryan Hatch, Lachlan Fitzsimmons and Jarom Owen-Horn also showed out at times while Jackson Barnett, Sam Plum, Ben Schumann and Blake McAuliffe did good work.
Kyabram coach Glenn Hart was pleased how well his team had jelled for its first-up assignment given the number of new faces in the team and only a month’s training.
Only six players remain from last year’s Kyabram side, which made the finals, and in early days training numbers were poor.
‘‘We are lucky to get the players from Tongala and the KDL on board and they have made a big difference with our numbers. I’m hopeful we can keep building on what we did today,’’ Hart said.
Kyabram meets Tatura at Tatura this Saturday.
My best for Kyabram: Tom Burnett, Liam Dillon, MacKenzie Cowley, Mitch Fitzgerald, Sam Cipriani, Darcy Keck, Ryan Hatch.
● Kyabram made a winning debut in the historic first round of the new GVL Under 16 football competition with a resounding win.
The young Bombers were switched on from the start and helped by two Euroa two players being sin-binned for a period in the first half had built an unbeatable lead by half time.
Euroa failed to score a goal for the game while the Bombers slotted 16 goals in a 103-point win.
Kyabram was able to control the game through dominant key position players.
Mitchell Dodos at centre half forward was unstoppable with a seven-goal haul and midfielder Bohden Learmonth, who was busy all day, drifted forward to boot four goals in an impressive display.
Charlie Barnett and Sam Campbell were in control in the two key defensive posts while rover Liam Francis and winger Darcy Backway were sources of constant successful forward forays for the young Bombers.
Kyabram tackles Tatura this Saturday.
NETBALL
The Kyabram Bombers junior netballers made it a clean sweep for the club with wins in Saturday’s GVL opening round.
The Under 17s were always in control defeating Euroa 59-21 with Alyssa Trebilcock taking Best On Court honours and Matilda Lockyer taking the Coach’s Award.
● The Under 15s had a solid 34-20 win over Euroa.
Despite centre Tess Laidlaw come off injured within the first five minutes and not returning, Kyabram broke Euroa’s centre passes early to gain the upper hand.
Meg Brennan played strong in GS, positioning her body well and taking rebounds, while Charli Westerveld was tight and strong in GK.
Both players were awarded best for their first-game efforts.