Mooroopna, which finished the home and away season ahead of Kyabram on the ladder, led by three at quarter time and by the long break was nine goals ahead of the Bombers.
And, after a thrilling finish, the Cats eventually moved forward in the race for the premiership with a 49-47 win.
Several positional changes had an immediate impact on the third term, Isla Carver swapping roles with centre Stephanie Wild, Larissa Sherman moving onto a wing and Natasha Dodos into the goal shooting role.
Rachel McCormack and Jasmin Reid did their bit in defence to allow Kyabram back into the game.
Kyabram won the third quarter 16-7 and by the final break had levelled the scores at 28 apiece.
Dodos was particularly good in the third term, fed the ball deep in the ring by Sara Kent and shot 11 of her team’s 16 goals for the term.
In the final term she shot eight of 10 goals as Kent did her best work further up the court.
At full time the teams were tied on 36 apiece and by the end of the first seven minutes of extra time were still tied.
∎ Kyabam led from start to finish in its seven-goal elimination final win against Mooroopna, at Tatura on Saturday.
Leading by two at quarter time, the Bombers extended the advantage to seven at half-time and by the final change led 27-19.
Apart from a mid-court exchange between centre Alexandra Hall and wing defender Laura Papalia, the team remained unchanged for the entirety of the game.
Abbey Watson was fed plenty of scoring opportunities by goaling partner Rachel McCormack and winger Kirra Edwards.
Watson finished with 32 of her team’s total in the 35-38 win, all of McCormack’s goals coming in the opening term.
Tenielle Peterson and Monique Williams defended the entire game to only allow Mooroopna’s goalers some freedom in the final term — when Kyabram was outscored 9-7.
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