Gugliotti leads Bombers to preliminary

The Bombers were outclassed by a more physical and harder running Magpies unit that launched a blistering match-winning third quarter onslaught of nine unanswered goals.

There were signs in the first half that the Bombers were in serious trouble after Euroa had made the early running and held a five-goal buffer at half-time.

The third quarter Kyabram surrender was reminiscent of recent games against Echuca and Mansfield when they were blown away in the third term.

It could have got a lot more embarrassing at three-quarter-time when the Bombers had just kicked two goals for the game to Euroa’s 15. But to their credit they rallied with five unanswered goals and a sixth for the last term to show some character when all was lost.

Kyabram had no go-to forwards to make an impact and its defence was under immense pressure for most of the game.

Kyabram’s brightest light was onballer Kaine Herbert who again gave it his usual 110 per cent.

Ruckman Zac Norris more than held his own and defenders Billy Barnes and Jake Parkinson worked hard along with Brad Whitford, Josh Dillon, Zac Keogh and Cooper Vick.

But with Kyabram’s key players unable to make an impact and its forwards lacking chances but well held on the day the Bombers never hinted they were capable of winning the game.

Kyabram coach Paul Newman said his team was ‘‘a bit off’’ on the day and never really had a winning chance.

My best for Kyabram were: Kaine Herbert, Zac Norris, Billy Barnes, Jake Parkinson, Brad Whitford, Josh Dillon and Zac Keogh.

- Kyabram reserves are one game away from a grand final berth after a hard fought win over Euroa in Saturday’s qualifying final at Tatura.

The minor premier had its moments, but was able to rally in the last quarter to secure a nine-point win in a low scoring, battle of the backlines.

After an even first quarter, Kyabram kicked three unanswered goals to take a handy 20-point lead into half-time break.

But Euroa hit back in a monumental momentum swing in the third quarter to hold Kyabram to a solitary point, while kicking 3.2 to gain a four-point lead going into the last quarter.

But in the last term Kyabram regained its poise to take control again, and despite inaccuracy at the goal front, produced a dominant 2.7 to 1.2 for the term.

Kyabram’s smallest player Mitch Gugliotti set the benchmark in determination for his teammates with a fearless best-on-ground display.

Key onballers in Abikhair Medallist Sean Dillon and Mitch Fitzgerald along with ruckman Brodie Thomson also generated a lot of chances for the team.

Skipper Will Wild was solid in defence, along with Luke Donnell, while Liam Dillon was also involved in a lot of positive play, particularly early.

Goalsneak Jarryd Pertzel was Kyabram’s only multiple goal-kicker on the day with two, while Brenton Campbell, Jack Dunn and Mitch Fitzgerald were also able to apply scoreboard pressure in the tight contest.

Noah Ryan was another good player who bobbed up at vital times for the Bombers.

Kyabram coach Tom Curnow said he was proud of his players’ efforts in a tight game.

‘‘They came at us really hard in that third term but we were able to answer them.

‘‘They have a few old heads in the team so it was a credit to our boys to answer when they had to.’’

After a rest this weekend Kyabram now meets Echuca in a preliminary final.