Paul Newman’s chance of receiving a send off befitting his career hinges on his team lifting from the weekend’s loss to Echuca.
The loss in Saturday’s Goulburn Valley League second semi-final has put the Bombers into the preliminary final against Euroa.
Euroa continued its brilliant elimination final form and blew away favourite Seymour in Sunday’s first semi-final at Tatura.
Newman watched Euroa dismantle Seymour and knows his charges will have to bring their best on Sunday to earn the right to meet the reigning premier for the flag.
THIS WEEKEND
GOULBURN VALLEY LEAGUE
PRELIMINARY FINAL
Sunday, September 17, at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton
SENIORS: Kyabram v Euroa, 2.30pm.
RESERVES: Kyabram v Shepparton United, noon.
KYABRAM DISTRICT LEAGUE
GRAND FINAL
Saturday, September 16, at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve
SENIORS: Lancaster v Nagambie, 2.30pm
RESERVES: Lancaster v Murchison-Toolamba, 12.30pm
NETBALL: Under-13s, Girgarre v Nagambie; Under-15s, Stanhope v Tallygaroopna; C-grade, Stanhope v Tallygaroopna.
MURRAY LEAGUE
GRAND FINAL
Saturday, September 16 at Moama Recreation Reserve
SENIORS: Mulwala v Congupna, 2.30pm
NETBALL: A-grade, Tongala v Mulwala; B-grade, Tongala v Moama; C-grade Tongala v Moama
Echuca beat Kyabram in the second semi-final at Euroa on Saturday and while the two sides had the same amount of shots on goal and Kyabram kicked 17 behinds, Newman was bitterly disappointed.
‘‘We got some cheap goals at the end and it made it look a bit better but we were outplayed when it counted,’’ he said.
‘‘Our kicking for goal was really frustrating again, but there are a lot of areas we have to lift it in.
‘‘A lot of our players have to step up if we are a chance to beat Euroa.
“We have a lot of thinking to do and decisions to make this week.’’
The Bombers were in it up to their necks in the first half against Echuca, down by less than a straight kick at half-time.
Whether it was a coincidence or not, Echuca kicked seven answered goals from the 13 minutes of the second quarter to the 10-minute mark of the last quarter.
All the majors came when Kyabram captain and key defender Jason Morgan was off the field injured.
The Bombers let a lot of chances go begging again and in the wash-up it was Echuca’s more precise use of the ball, particularly in attack, which was a telling factor in the final result.
Tom Holman was again the pick of the Kyabram forwards presenting at every chance to secure four goals. But he also missed as many.
With Holman, along with ruckman Zac Norris Anthony Depasquale, Brad Magan, Brad Whitford and Josh Dillon prominent Kyabram was up and about after Echuca had kicked the first two goals of game.
Whitford was again superb in defence and with support from Morgan in the first, Riley Ironside and Lachie Smith, who started in attack, and were able to keep the brakes on the Echuca scoring.
But when Echuca upped the ante in the third term many Kyabram players couldn’t withstand the heat.
Onballer Liam Ogden topped the possessions for Kyabram with 23 and with Brad Whitford (21) were the only Bombers to gain 20 or more possessions.
Unlike Echuca, Kyabram players did not make the most their chances in the third term with six behinds and no goals.
Norris, Whitford, Holman and Reuben Rode in particular fought it out to the end and helped cut down a sizeable lead at the finish.
But with Echuca captain and co-coach Sam Reid showing the way and well supported by Sam Willoughby, Cooper Barber, Jackson Stewart and Mitch Kemp Echuca was too good.
My best for Kyabram were Brad Whitford, Tom Holman, Zac Norris, Liam Ogden, Josh Dillon Reuben Rode.
