The Bombers finished marginally ahead on the disposal count (along with the scoreboard, winning by 11 points) and won its fourth contested-possession count — only losing in round two against combative reigning premier Echuca.
In the two weeks leading up to the round-five match with the Cats at GV Creamery Oval the Bombers had lost both disposal counts, but still won the match.
In round three against Shepparton the Bombers had 34 less possessions, but won the match by 27. A week later Tatura had 50 more possessions than the Bombers, but it was Kyabram that prevailed by 22 points.
Since racking up 352 possessions in its 38-point round-one win against Rochester the Tigers have only passed the 300-disposal total on one other occasion.
In fact, despite sitting fourth on the ladder with a 4-1 win/loss count the Bombers have won just nine of its 20 quarters — statistically speaking.
Convert that to contested football and it is a totally different story. Apart from a seven-possession differential, in Echuca’s favour, the Bombers have won the contested ball by 47, 42, six (despite having 50 less total possessions against Tatura) and 12 in its four victories.
Against Mooroopna on Saturday it was dominant in the gathers category, winning that count by 25.
Two of the Bombers’ greatest strengths, contested marking and intercept marking, were also well in its favour.
The Cats, however, chipped the ball around to avoid the likes of Brad Whitford, Jason Morgan and the other superior Bombers aerialists in the back end.
That allowed them to rack up 17 more uncontested marks for the afternoon.
Mooroopna also had four more marks inside 50 and five more entries into its attacking arc, echoing the back page comments of Kyabram coach Paul Newman that the Bombers defensive was standing up under the pressure.
Kyabram’s rucking combination won the hit outs by seven, had four more hit outs to advantage and, overall, won the clearances by 11.
Mooroopna dominated several pressure categories, credited with 31 more overall pressure acts — including 10 more chased and 17 more tackles.
