Sport
Rochester reins in Kyabram with a superb GVL comeback to keep the wins flowing as finals near
Comebacks don’t get much sweeter than Rochester’s rollicking turnaround against Kyabram on Sunday.
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Not many at Kyabram Recreation Reserve could’ve predicted — without a crystal ball, of course — that a Tigers side which barely fired a shot throughout the first half would kick 50 points in the third quarter.
Not only that, but it would boot four more goals in the last to upend Kyabram sensationally and claim a 14.19 (103) to 14.8 (92) victory on the road in Goulburn Valley League.
The scoreline points to ugly kicking from Rochester.
At times, sure, it was.
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Kyabram's Joshua Dillon drops the pill onto the boot. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 10
Kyabram's Will Golds laces up a teammate further afield. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 10
Rochester's Blake Evans steadies himself before kicking. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 10
Kyabram's Kaine Herbert was one of the Bombers’ best during Sunday’s loss. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 10
Kyabram's Bailey Tome booted three goals against Rochester. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 10
Kyabram's Will Golds takes a safe chest mark. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 10
Rochester's Nathan McCarty and Kyabram's Miller Griffiths compete for the ball. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 10
Kyabram's Anthony Depasquale and Khy Stovell celebrate a goal. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 9 of 10
Kyabram's Liam Dillon asks for options. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 10 of 10
Kyabram's Khy Stovell fires up after slotting a major. Photo by Rechelle ZammitBut the Tigers’ resolve and teeth-clenching grit deserved something special, and it manifested in the second half following what was a dour first two quarters from Rochester’s perspective.
Kyabram flew forward from the first bounce and immediately applied immense pressure to the visitors.
The Bombers’ message was as clear as day: if you want something from this game, you’re going to have to earn it.
Kyabram playing co-coach Kaine Herbert kicked a handsome goal to kick off proceedings, and soon the GVL’s most prolific forward — Anthony Depasquale — weighed in as he grubbered home for his first.
An end to end first 10 minutes was underpinned by Kyabram swarming every contest, one culminating in a slick disposal chain down the left that was finished expertly by Khy Stovell.
Rochester simply couldn’t capitalise on heavy forward 50 territory in the latter parts of the first term.
However, Wil Hamilton bust open a lacklustre end to the quarter as he registered Rochester’s first goal.
Kyabram wasn’t half fazed by it.
Stovell’s second came early after quarter-time to push the Bombers 25 points ahead before Depasquale added another.
A massive collision left Eamonn Ogden on the floor, but no stretcher was required as he ran off the field to get his nasty head wound treated before continuing.
Kyabram continued to pile on the goals, but James McPhee was able to cut the margin back to 25 with a cool kick from right in front.
Half-time came and went, and this was when Rochester truly started to play.
Thriving on a high decibel environment, the Tigers slowly began to peg back Kyabram, but a question loomed overhead — would past inaccuracy come back to haunt them?
Thankfully, from Ash Watson’s perspective at least, it wouldn’t.
Rochester’s Mitch Cricelli took a towering mark in the square before taking the shot quick and the boards were banging once again, and despite Bailey Tome finally stopping the Bombers’ rot, momentum had fully swung through its pendulous arc and into the travellers’ favour.
With not long left in the third term, the Tigers went ahead for the first time.
A tense start to the last exchange saw nothing registered in the first five minutes.
That was until Hugh Hamilton took a hulking mark and obliged with the finish, pushing Rochester 10 points up before another Hamilton — Wil — took a fine over the shoulder grab on the run and slotted again.
Despite the Bombers slotting a few late on, the muffled celebration and supporters already halfway to their cars told the full story of the situation.
And just like that, Rochester had prevailed in an epic, a game which spanned nearly three hours, and had the smiles to prove it.
Senior Sports Journalist