Seven straight for Bombers

But unlike their previous two games when they ran over Mansfield and Echuca in the last term, they were upstaged by the visitors who kicked 5.3 to 3.2.

But the Bombers still secured a 70-point win — 16.17 to 6.7 — to make it seven wins on the trot to start the season.

The Bombers were below top strength for the clash with Jason Morgan (flu) and Eammon Ogden (work commitment) missing, while ball magnet Mick Mattingly only played for a quarter after a worrying hamstring twinge.

Kyabram promoted another Vick, Sam, from the Vick dynasty at Kyabram, and he didn’t look out of place on a wing.

The Bombers had the game safely in their keeping from the start and led at every change.

For three quarters, the defence led by Brad Whitford, with great support from Jake Parkinson, Jack Sheldon, Cooper Vick and Will Burnett, restricted the Cats to one goal.

Kyabram also missed a lot of scoring chances, but Zac Cerrone, Tom Holman, Charlie Barnett and Riley Ironside bagged 11 goals between them to ensure the Bombers were always in front with the exception of the first few minutes when Mooroopna kicked the first goal of the match.

Cerrone could have had a bigger bag of goals as he missed a few in his best game for the season.

The Cats’ second goal didn’t come until the last quarter and ignited a belated comeback when they added another four goals, while Kyabram scrounged three for the term.

Mooroopna certainly kept at it and it wasn’t the finish Kyabram has been producing in recent games.

The usual Kyabram prime movers in Kaine Herbert, Archie Watt, ruckmen Zac Norris and Aidan Robinson, Josh Dillon and Jack Russell again set up the chances for Kyabram to kick a winning score.

No Kyabram player worked harder at the coalface than Dillon, who always makes a contest.

Mattingly was continuing his white-hot form until forced from the ground.

The Kyabram wounded get a week off for the general bye this week to prepare for another stiff test on their home turf against last year’s runner-up Shepparton, which has suffered two defeats in its past two games, and will be desperate for a win.

Senior squad players who missed Saturday’s game in Morgan and Ogden will be available, but Coby McCarthy (groin) Tom Burnett (quad), Nic Jephson (quad) and Angus Scoble (knee), who all missed Saturday’s game, could miss again.

My best for the Bombers were Herbert, Whitford, Watt, Norris, Dillon, Cerrone and Holman.

Reserves

Kyabram reserves were tested initially by Mooroopna, but were able to shake off the challenge quickly before going on to a another huge win.

The Cats kicked a goal in the second quarter, but that was the only time in the game they had the goal umpires waving the two flags.

With Will Wild again a target up forward with four goals and skipper Jayden Fitzgerald and Josh Wild both splitting the goals twice, Kyabram was able to capitalise on the on-ball efforts of co-coach Sean Dillon, the best player afield, Miller Griffiths and Cooper Fawcett.

The Kyabram defence was again led in inspiring fashion by the consistent Riley Gallivan and Danyon Stockdale, who both got plenty of support.

Kyabram now has a big challenge on its hands in its next game (after the general bye this weekend) against Shepparton, which is also unbeaten after seven rounds.

Thirds

Kyabram thirds had to earn their 20-point win over the Cats, who were competitive for most of the game.

Three points separated the sides at half-time, but big men Hamish Stewart and Charie Isaac were able to rule the airwaves in the last half to give Kyabram an edge.

The promising Stewart was unstoppable with seven goals, while Isaac’s strong marking and booming left foot often caught out the Cats’ defence.

Lachy Carver and Isaiah Scoble were also prime movers in the win and Tom Savage also turned in a solid display to help bring off the win against a team currently in the top six.

But the Bombers are going to have to go up a peg or two more in their next game when they meet white-hot flag favourite Shepparton.