The win was set up by what co-coach Paul Newman described as a ‘‘superb first half’’.
‘‘We were really good early and played some
top footy, which was really pleasing,’’ said Newman.
Newman was particularly pleased with the team’s forwards, who he said shared the ball around unselfishly all day.
‘‘We had several goal-scoring options which had the Rochester defence under tremendous pressure for most of the game, especially in the first half,’’ Newman added.
Newman singled out Tom Holman for praise for the defensive side of his game in attack.
‘‘He worked really hard to keep the ball in our forward line and also kicked three goals.’’
With a plentiful supply of chances regular goalkicker Kayne Pettifer helped himself to six majors, goalsneak Kyle Mueller nailed five and Brad Mangan and Holman slotted two each.
One of Mueller’s skyscraper marks would be a leading candidate for mark of the year, according to Newman.
But clearly Kyabram’s two best players on the day were onballers Mick Mattingly and ruckman Zac Norris.
Hard-running, skilful Mattingly had the ball on a string and Norris dominated the ruck and also picked up plenty of possessions around the ground.
Classy Jordan Williams was a prime mover from a wing on his return to the side while key defenders Lachie Smith and Jason Morgan led the defence in commanding fashion.
Patrick Wearden and Nic Coulstock also did a lot of telling work for the winners.
Rochester was best served by Nathan Marrone, Mitch Bright, Will Hamilton and Jackson McEwen.
Newman said he was now looking forward to this week’s clash with second-placed Echuca, whose only defeat this season was at the hands of the unbeaten Kyabram.
The Bombers will be without Josh Vick (hamstring) and Josh Pell (calf), both injured in Sunday’s game, while Reid Crowe, who missed on Sunday, is probably two or three weeks away with a groin strain.
But ruckman Jake Reeves should return after a lengthy break along with Hayden Gemmill, who played in the reserves on Saturday.
Jack Sheldon and Brad Edwards, dropped for the Rochester game, also put in strong claims for promotion with top games in the beaten Kyabram reserves side.
■Kyabram reserves put up a commendable showing against second-placed Rochester.
The Bombers were still in with a chance at the last break but the Tigers finished the stronger to record a 23-point win.
Jack Sheldon and Brad Edwards, who couldn’t be squeezed into the senior side, showed the way for the Bombers, who had other good players in Billy McLay, Jacob Liverside, Harry Browning-Briese and Steve Drake.
■Kyabram thirds reversed an earlier season defeat by Rochester to post a 22-point win.
A flying start in which they kicked six first-quarter goals to Rochester’s one set up the win.
Skipper and onballer Mitch Gugliotti put in another tireless, inspiring display with plenty of support from Aidan Robinson, Connor Hawes and Zavier Briggs.
Consistent Tom Burnett and Cooper Gentle were also fine contributors again in the win.
Kyabram has a trip away to face the unbeaten Echuca this Saturday.