Three players were reported, among them Jason Norman and Troy Auld, for striking as the Kangaroos dominated the match from start to finish — eventually running out 48-point winners.
Auld kicked Stanhope’s only two goals in the loss, while Wills, Bloom and Hawk were the team’s best players.
Coleman was supported by Coby Seamer, who kicked two goals, David Atley and Troy Snelson.
In the reserve-grade match, also involving two neighbouring teams in Girgarre and Lancaster, it was a seven-point win for the Wombats.
Former Free Press journalist Matt McMaster-Smith kicked the first goal for the Wombats and Grant Toms bagged three majors. Grant Wade was best on ground for the winners.
David Owen and David Wilkinson were also among the best, while for Girgarre veteran ruckman Peter Myers was the best player.
∎ Mick Ryan coached the Kyabram Under-18 team to victory against Shepparton United and Lou Corso won the Freddo McMahon Medal as the best player on the ground.
Troy Mitchell kicked four goals in the 37-point win, while Scott Hearn and Andrew Elborough chimed in with two apiece.
Michael Glover captained the team and almost matching the efforts of Corso was on-baller Matt Walsh. Ruckman Ben Roberts was also a star, alongside Nathan Pope, Ben Hearn, Michael Kent and Lou Corso’s brother, Con.
1981
Lancaster completed back -to-back premierships in an unlikely win after coming from fourth to beat Merrigum by 25 points in the Kyabram district league grand final.
Despite Peter Law’s four goals for Merrigum and the ruck play of Bulldogs pair John Lilford and Seve Cortese, the Wombats was again the toast of the competition.
Lancaster vice-captain Vic Castles was a match winner with four goals, while Joe White kicked three and wingers Peter Weardon and Cliff Warren dominated the mid-field.
Merrigum coach Gary McKenzie was among his side’s best, along with David Pettifer and former coach Daryl Higgins.
∎ Merrigum’s disappointment was somewhat lessened by the victory of its reserve-grade team in a five-point thriller with Avenel.
Wayne Leppard kicked four goals for the Bulldogs and ruckman Maurie Gorman also featured in the best players.
∎ Stuart McKenzie was named the 1981 Kyabram Football Club senior best and fairest when he polled 43 votes to beat Bill Fry by one vote.
The spring-heeled ruckman didn’t poll a vote in the league medal, won against by Shepparton star David Code, but he won the Bombers’ award in a thrilling count where only three votes separated him from Fry and assistant coach Wayne Deledio.
Shane McCormick won the reserves best and fairest from Angelo Demasi, with Brendan (Skeet) Ryan third.
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