The GVL was outclassed but Kyabram players stepped up against a superior Ovens and Murray League outfit in Saturday’s interleague at Mooroopna.
Kyabram’s Zac Norris put in a lion-hearted four-quarter rucking display against two bigger opponents but never shirked a contest and was the standout for the GVL.
Tough and classy Kyabram onballer Zac Keogh was arguably the GVL’s second best player on the day, with his first three quarters particularly inspiring, as he tried to rally teammates who were having trouble adjusting to the pace, pressure and aerial supremacy of their rivals.
Another Bomber star, Lachie Smith, lit up the GVL and even raised hopes of a come-from-behind win with a dominant third quarter in which he displayed his exquisite aerial skills to kick the only four goals his team scored for the term and almost half its goal tally for the game.
The other Kyabram players in the team, Kaine Herbert, Tom Holman and Anthony Depasquale, showed out at times against a team superior in most areas. Depasquale was originally named as an emergency but got a late call-up when Shepparton defender Ted Lindon had to withdraw.
Apart from Norris, Keogh and Smith, the GVL had other good contributors in Mansfield trio Patty Marks, Jack Hutchins and skipper Brett Mahoney, while Echuca’s Ben Reid came into the game in the second half after being moved from defence into the midfield.
• The losing GVL Under 18 side also had one of its best players in Kyabram’s Mitch Dodos who displayed his exciting areal skills at centre half forward and in the ruck to kick three goals.
Dodos was on fire early and helped the GVL establish initial supremacy but Ovens and Murray gradually clawed its way back into the game and delivered a knockout blow to the GVL with a five-goal third term.
Another promising Kyabram player, Oliver Watt, who shared rucking duties with Dodos, also did some good work for the GVL while other Bombers in Liam Francis and Adam Pulsoni showed out at times in a high-standard game.