Brave Bombers’ hopes fade in blink of an eye

The first three came within seven minutes, and another three followed before Kyabram kicked its first and only goal for the quarter.

Kyabram went from leading at half-time to 40 points down at the last change.

Game over.

That was it — a 36-point win for the reigning and minor premier, 15.13 (103) to 9.13 (67).

Echuca again produced its match-winning third quarter of recent times against Kyabram, which had no answers once its rival found its rhythm and running legs.

Echuca’s dominance in this quarter was in contrast to the first half, which was a grim battle of stoppages and little open play.

Kyabram had its nose in front at half-time by five points, but everyone who has followed Echuca this season expected it could break the shackles at any time.

And it did.

But Kyabram was under the pump for the entire game and was in front at the main break mainly through the efforts of its defenders. Brad Whitford, Rhys Clark, skipper Jason Morgan and Charlie Barnett defended bravely against a wave of Echuca forward surges.

Whitford and Clark gave it all they had for four quarters, but many Kyabram playmakers couldn’t get into the game.

In contrast, Echuca found plenty of avenues to goal, particularly in that second half, with young gun Hugh Byrne and Liam Tenace with three goals each, topping the list of eight individual goalkickers Echuca had for the game.

For Kyabram, diminutive Reuben Rode produced lively passages of play at times, Tom Burnett had some good moments, particularly early with a candidate for goal of the day, while young gun Archie Watt displayed his silky skills.

Morrison medallist Kaine Herbert tried hard but didn’t have the impact he is renowned for due to Echuca’s dominance at the stoppages.

But the Echuca defence shut down Kyabram for most of the game, with Anthony DePasquale’s three goals and Brad Mangan with two the only multiple goalkickers for the Bombers.

Kyabram raised eyebrows at the selection table by omitting first-year recruit Toby Wooller, who had played every game.

But it included experienced captain Morgan and Lachie Smith, who had missed the previous week’s preliminary final.

The selectors task was also made easier when Kayne Pettifer’s appeal to the Supreme Court against a five match suspension arising from the qualifying final against Mansfield was unsuccessful.

Echuca also gambled on some players, including former AFL star Andrew Walker, whose match fitness could have been queried as they had only played a handful of games for the season.

But experienced players in Sam Willoughby, ruckman Kane Morris, Walker and skipper Samuel Reid were able to show the way for eager teammates.

Willoughby got the nod from the umpires (AFL Victorian Country Medal) and media (Wilf Cox Medal) for best on the ground.

Kyabram ruck ace Zac Norris entered the game with a wounded shoulder, which needed medical attention during the game and didn’t allow him to reach his usual high standard.

It was noticeable in his absence for a lot of the last half that Echuca was able to dominate the stoppages.

Retiring Kyabram coach Paul Newman congratulated Echuca on its win at the presentation after the game and warned it would be a league power for many years to come.

‘‘Like us, Echuca is made up mainly of local young players and they are going to around for a while,’’ he said.

But Newman also said Kyabram was a young side capable of keeping it competitive in the years to come if it sticks together.

‘‘Although we didn’t win today, I was still proud of my boys because we have had a good season,” he said.

My best for Kyabram were Brad Whitford, Rhys Clark, Jason Morgan, Reuben Rode, Anthony DePasquale, Charlie Barnett.

SCOREBOARD

Echuca 2.2, 4.7, 12.10, 15.13 (103)

Kyabram 2.2, 5.6, 6.7, 9.13 (67)

GOALS

Echuca: H. Byrne 3, L. Tenace 3, S. Reid 2, K. Morris 2, W. Monahan 2, S. Willoughby, J. Stewart, C. Barber.

Kyabram: A. DePasquale 3, B. Mangan 2, K. Herbert, J. Dillon, R. Rode, T. Burnett.

BEST

Echuca: S. Willoughby, K. Morris, A. Walker, H. Byrne, S. Reid, J. Stewart, B. Gray.

Kyabram: B. Whitford, R. Clark, J. Morgan, R. Rode, A. DePasquale, C. Barnett.