ONE of the reasons why Kyabram has won 64 of its last 65 games has been because of its versatility.
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An ability to switch players all over the ground with telling consequences was again illustrated at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton, on Saturday night when the Bombers moved key defender Lachie Smith from defence to attack in the second quarter.
At that stage of the clash between the reigning grand finalists, the defending premier was dishing it right up to the visitors.
But all that changed with the Smith switch.
The strong marking key positional player immediately proceeded to split the game open, kicking two goals in as many minutes, when the quarter started, to set the Kyabram machine rolling.
Another three Smith goals in the third term and the game was all over.
It was far from a one-man Smith show though that delivered the emphatic 49 point win, but the move was the game changer.
Smith took a lot of his teammates along for the ride when he seized control at the goalmouth.
Up to then Brad Mangan was stamping his authority on the game with his strong bodywork and marking while Kayne Pettifer was up and about to exert extra pressure on the Shepparton defence.
Co-captain Jason Morgan also ventured from defence to attack with the desired result.
Versatile Luke Morris celebrated his 100th game with the club with a memorable game and Aaron Hayes, Brad Edwards, Cade Mueller and Josh Dillon were all winning the ball.
And a lot of the successful Kyabram forward excursions were instigated by ruck duo Jake Reeves and Zac Norris with young gun Riley Ironside and Patrick Weaden providing a lot of the running and link-ups which enabled Kyabram to take almost full control and restricted Shepparton to a total of just two goals in the second and third terms.
Reeves played his first game with the Bombers since the 2017 premiership win and in typical fashion provided avenues for Kyabram to go forward while Norris continued on from his opening round effort.
Ironside, who is playing with the Bendigo Pioneers, again showed he is a classy youngster the footy world might hear a lot of in the future.
And another move which reaped handsome dividends for the Bombers was Tom Holman’s shift to defence where he became the general. With a lot of support from Jordan Williams and Josh Pell in particular they were able to shut down the Shepparton forward line for the second and third terms.
In this period Kyabram kicked nine goals and by three-quarter time Shepparton was beyond the point of no return.
The Bears fought it out to the finish to their credit with a determined last quarter when they could have been blown completely away.
But the Bombers showed why they are expected to again be the measuring stick in this competition as the season progresses.
They went into this game without Mick Mattingly, best on ground in the opening round and other first round players in co-captain Sam Sheldon and Axel Child. With that trio and Billy Burstin, recruit Reid Crowe and Locky Dillon also contenders to come into the side the Bombers, on paper at least, have the scope to improve a lot more yet.
This Saturday Kyabram travels to Rochester and if some of these players are ready to resume its going be a tough time at the table for the selectors.
My best for Kyabram were: Lachie Smith, Brad Mangan, Luke Morris, Tom Holman, Riley Ironside, Jordan Williams, Zac Norris.
■ A DEPLETED Kyabram reserves side ran out of players – and legs – in their clash.
The Bombers depth was severely tested with senior co-coach Paul Newman and selector Brenton Sheppard donning the boots along with four thirds players to make up the numbers.
Kyabram actually had its nose in front at half time but were hit by injuries in the second half and at one stage had only 14 players on the park as Shepparton took over.
The Bombers had some good players led by onballer Steve Drake who was the standout with his tireless work ethic.
Mal Hedges, Billy McLay, Justin Chambers and Daniel Gentle also presented at every chance, Jake Gascoyne was the best of the forwards with a lively display while Mitch Jarrett also battled well against the odds.
■ KYABRAM thirds had a solid 29-point win against a good side.
The young Bombers squandered a lot of chances in the first half, particularly the first term, at the goal front but were never headed on the scoreboard.
Kyabram got winning drive from its onballers led by Cooper Vick and Cooper Gentle, skipper Mitch Gugliotti, Ryan Cox and Liam Dillon who were busy all day.
Wez Hill also led the defence in determined style but most of the Kyabram players did their bit at times to get the desired result.