Nick Coulstock has relented to the pressure and boredom of travelling each week to turn out for the Bombers and will play in Melbourne.
Coulstock joins Morrison Medallist Mick Mattingly, Patrick Wearden, Josh Vick, Tom and Sam Sheldon, Axel Child and Josh Pell as departures over the past two COVID-19 ravaged seasons.
The Bombers have also missed out on a star midfield recruit, former VFL and Canberra star Jordan Ludica, who according to coach Paul Newman priced himself of playing with the club.
On the credit side since that flag win, three members — Tom Holman, four times best and fairest winner Josh Morgan and Jake Reeves — have returned to the club and another key player, Brad Mangan, who suffered a season-ending injury early last year, will also be back hopefully early in the season.
Holman and Reeves were members and stars in the 2019 premiership side and Morgan missed that grand final through injury.
Triple Kyabram premiership coach Newman remains positive that despite the Bombers’ departures his team can still be competitive in the fast-approaching season.
He has been happy so far with the club’s pre-season campaign, with regular good numbers at training.
He said with the likes of class players such as Morgan, Mangan, Lachie Smith, Zac Norris, Kyle Mueller, Jake Reeves and super veteran Kayne Pettifer, Kyabram still had the nucleus of a talented side.
‘‘We will be looking to our emerging players to step up a rung or two and we can still be very competitive,’’ Newman said.
Kyabram has three tough pre-season games lined up to prepare for the season.
It’s looking for a local ground to host Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League club Edithvale-Aspendale on March 5 before playing away games against Ovens and Murray side Albury on March 12 and Bendigo League club Strathfieldsaye on March 19.
• Gus Underwood pays tribute to Nick Coulstock in his Sporting Snaps on page 22.
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