In a heavy spill early in the last quarter Mueller suffered two fractures in his left foot, which could keep him sidelined for up to eight games.
Mueller had booted six goals to that stage to help set up the Bombers’ decisive win before a massive night crowd.
The Bombers led 13.4 to 3.3 at half-time but Rochester hit back with some fine running football to kick nine second-half goals to Kyabram’s eight.
But the Bombers still ran out 57-point winners, 21.9 to 12.6.
Kyabram’s onballers and midfielders in ruckman Zac Norris, Zac Keogh, Kayne Pettifer, Kaine Herbert, Nick Denahy and Tom Burnett kept up a constant supply of chances and Mueller, Cooper Vick, Tom Holman, Aidan Robinson and Anthony Depasquale provided reliable targets in attack.
Holman played well at centre half forward while Vick continued his fine early season form with four goals and, with veteran Pettifer playing further up the field, was a reliable go-to target.
Kyabram’s defence leaked only three goals in the first half but once Rochester got its running game going after half-time it had the Bombers’ backline in disarray at times.
Rochester coach Steve Stroobants was held early but finished with five goals while Adam McPhee, Chris Jansen and Jordan Harper were dangerous players.
Key men Lachie Smith and Jason Morgan were again the pick of the Kyabram defenders and Depasquale, with three goals, was again among the best of the newcomers.
Mitch Gugliotti also did a lot good work.
Kyabram now faces a big test this Saturday night against flag favourite Echuca under lights again at Kyabram
• Kyabram reserves enjoyed another good win, pulling clear of Rochester in the second half to win by 53 points.
Ruck goliath Jake Reeves played his first game for the season and was the star of the win, setting Kyabram alight from the stoppages and getting great support from James Ross, Kaleb Williams, the Dillon boys, Sean and Liam, and Jarod Pertzel.
Mitch Fitzgerald, Ben Holman, Noah Ryan and Billy Ryan with four goals also made contributions to the win.
• Kyabram’s Under 18s were also big winners.
Mitch Dodos continued his early season goalkicking spree to boot another five goals and finish off the work of other onballers in skipper Liam Francis, who led from the front all day, Bohden Learmonth, Adam Pulsoni and Tom Bruhn.
Francis, Miller Griffiths and Bailey Pyke also applied scoreboard pressure in a side that had 12 individual goalkickers, a fact that pleased coach Peter Ryan.
‘‘It’s good to have so many scoring options,’’ he said.
Ryan was happy with his team’s performance but said a much bigger test was awaiting the Bombers this Saturday night against the competition’s measuring stick, Echuca.
• Kyabram’s Under 16s kicked off a winning day for all the club’s footy teams with an 83-point win.
Mobile ruckman Nick Jephson, winger Danny Miller and Jay Gentle and Sam Marland alternating between midfield and half back supplied constant chances to the forward line where Archie Guiney, who booted five goals, and Luke Carroll were active.
But coach Peter Hall said all his players made a contribution to the strong win.
12°C