In contrast the Bombers have lost nine first quarters, including the first three rounds of the season against Mooroopna, Rochester and Euroa.
Further evidence of the contrast between their starts and finishes to games is the fact they won all three of those final quarters in rounds 1-3, winning by two points against Rochester and losing the other two games by eight and two points respectively.
The slow starting and fast finishing season is in keeping with the Bombers’ 50 per cent winning ratio this season – fifth on the ladder with eight wins and eight losses.
On seven of the nine occasions the Bombers have trailed at quarter time they have gone on to outscore their opponent in the final quarter. They have, however, won just three of those.
They have trailed at quarter time and came home in a rush before losing games against four of the other top six teams – Mooroopna (in round one), Euroa (twice), Shepparton Bears and reigning premier Echuca.
Of the 32 second half quarters this season Kyabram has won 22 of them. In contrast, they have won just 16 of 32 first half quarters.
This year the Bombers have not set the world on fire in the front end, in keeping with recent seasons, scoring six goals or more for a quarter in just nine of their 64 quarters (three of those in the blowout against Shepparton United in round 15).
They have only scored 100 points or more on five occasions this year, following on from a similar low scoring 2023 season where they also scored 100 points or more in just five of their 18 home and away games.
In 2022 the Bombers kicked more than 100 points on on seven occasions.
Kyabram’s two highest scoring quarters this year have come in the first quarter against United (nine goals and two behinds in round 15 during the 125-point victory) and in the second quarter of the round four game against the same opposition (eight goals and three behinds).
They have been held goalless in only one quarter this year, in the last quarter against Seymour in round six. On four occasions (including two in the round 15 whitewash) this season they have held opponent’s goalless in a quarter.
There have been some outstanding last quarters from players this season, among those a round one performance by Liam Ogden against Mooroopna when he had 12 disposals, five clearances and four inside 50s in a 75 ranking-point quarter.
In round 12 Kaine Herbert amassed 72 ranking points in the last quarter against Rochester, nine of his 10 kicks hitting a target and the other going through for a goal.
Against United in round 15 Marcus Khoo had 15 hit outs, 11 disposals, two centre clearances, four marks (two inside 50) and kicked two goals.
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