The argument for this claim certainly has plenty of foundation after the Bombers’ claimed the Under-16 grade premiership in the Shepparton Junior Football League in 1993.
That year the young Bombers completed an unbeaten season by disposing of Shepparton by 117 points — 20.16 to 3.1 — in the season decider.
This year is the 30th anniversary of that memorable season when this Kyabram side was unbeatable.
Coached by Gary O’Neill, who had been a star player for Ardmona in the Kyabram District Football League, the team was loaded with talented players, including O’Neill’s son, Jason.
But it was performing as a team that made it the wrecking ball it was.
Michael Glover captained the side and led from the front as a ruck rover, having 11 shots on goal for four majors.
Key forwards Damien Prendergast and Matt Tyrell were also unstoppable with the strong-marking Prendergast bagging seven goals.
Scott Hearn, the team and league’s best and fairest winner of that year and Troy Mitchell were also multiple goalkickers.
Prime movers apart from Glover and midfielder Ashley Cox were ruckman David Atley, the fearless John Guinan and rover Troy Mitchell along with Lee Westerveld and wingers Dale O’Neill and Brent Ward.
And when Shepparton struggled forward the Kyabram defence led by Nathan Pope and Troy Bauerle was there to clean up.
In reliving the season and grand final the team’s captain Mick Glover said the team had won every game by an average of about 100 points, so there was no surprise with the grand final result.
‘‘I think that was our first year in the Shepparton Junior Football League. Prior to that Kyabram fielded two sides in the Goulburn Campaspe League, but we amalgamated when we went to the Shepparton competition and that made a big difference,’’ Mick said.
Guinan Bomber president
John Guinan’s elevation to Kyabram Football Netball Club president has been greeted by a tidal wave of support.
John accepted the position last week with the full support of the club’s committee, which he is a member of, and club members and supporters.
He replaces Peter Learmonth who recently stepped down from the position.
‘‘Originally we were going to try and manage the rest of the season without a president, but the committee felt I could do the job so I accepted,“ Guinan said.
‘‘We have a good committee and they are all supporting me, so I’ve agreed to do it for the rest of this season at least.
‘‘Whether I go will depend on whether there is a better person than me to do it and whether I feel I can do it justice. We’ll look at that when the time comes.“
Guinan has a long association with the club, dating back to playing in its junior ranks and being a member of its Under-16 1993 flag winning side, which has been dubbed the best junior side Kyabram has produced.
He has a playing present link with the club with his son Archer currently playing with the Bomber thirds.
Hidden player frustration
Those who follow the Goulburn Valley League sporting results closely have been intrigued to say the least to see ‘‘Hidden Player’’ bob up constantly among the goal throwers and best players in the netball competition in the first few weeks of competition.
Of course there is no such player with the name of Hidden Player and it’s the result of players preferring not to have their name published.
They get this right to tick off a condition when filling in their registration form.
One GVL official told me that some players may have misunderstood what the implications were when they preferred not to be named and clubs may be asked to revisit the conditions.
Awards would be difficult to determine under the present conditions and could be awarded to a player that consented to her name being published ahead of player who may have topped the goal throwing and match awards, but didn’t want to be named.
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