Young Bombers grand final bound

They will now face off against Shepparton Notre Bears Gold, having beaten the other finalists handsomely.

They beat Bears Maroon by 38 points in the elimination final and then beat Tatura at Euroa on Sunday by 29 points.

Kyabram lost to those teams during the 10-round home and away season, by six points to Tatura in round four and then 31 points to Notre Maroon in round eight.

The Bombers finished the grading period (a four-round season that started in mid-April) and the regular home and away season with a 9-4 win-loss record.

They lost to their grand final opponent Notre Gold by 44 points in round two of the grading period and then again (by only 18 points this time) in round five of the regular season.

While coming from fourth position on the ladder is a big task the Bombers have done so on the back of great form from two of its leaders — captain Oliver Barnett and vice-captain Jedd Turpin.

Cooper O’Neill supported Turpin, who has played all 15 games (four grading and 11 regular season), in attack with two goals. Turpin has kicked 39 goals this season.

He kicked nine against Shepparton Swans and has only missed out twice this season on the goal-kickers’ list.

In a one game appearance for Stanhope, at under-18 level, Turpin kicked seven goals in a best-on-ground performance.

He is among several players with a strong football pedigree, the son of champion on-baller Jeff Turpin, who is the runner for the team.

Tyrell Gallivan is the younger brother of Kyabram senior player Riley, while captain Oliver Barnett is the youngest son of former Lancaster star Justin.

Co-coach Rod O’Neill has now coached all three Barnett boys, having coached Jackson and Charlie at under-14 level.

O’Neill coaches with former Kyabram star Jarrod Chapman, who is a league medallist in Goulburn Valley League. Chapman’s son Ben is ruckman for the team.

O’Neill was encouraged to become involved with the team when approached to provide an experienced voice alongside Chapman.

“They were looking for a few older heads, Patto and Goof Ryan did the thirds and I stuck my hand up to give the juniors a hand,” O’Neill said.

The last time a Kyabram under-16 team was taken to a premiership was in 2016, when coached by Michael Mott.

O’Neill coached his son Coby to back-to-back grand finals in the under-16 competition, but lost both. He is hoping to make amends this year.

Other familiar names in the team are Carver, Scoble and Harrison.

Oscar Carver is the son of another decorated Wombat, Matt Carver, while Riley Carver is on the other half-forward flank to his cousin.

His is the son of current Kyabram senior co-coach Corey, a multiple best-and-fairest winner at Lancaster.

Isaiah Scoble is the brother of Bendigo Pioneer and Tongala senior footballer Angus.

Like his elder brother he is capable of taking big marks and has played under-16s with the Pioneers.

Wil Harrison is the son of another member of the district’s “royal footballing family’’, Daryl Harrison.

There is an O’Neill in the team, but Cooper is the brother of Lancaster senior winger Riley.

James Hargreaves has been arguably the team’s most consistent player, leading the on-ball brigade and working back to help a defensive unit which has featured Marley Gordon and Nathan Kuiper.

The Preist brothers, James and elder brother Dylan, are among several St Augustine’s junior football products.

O’Neill said while it was the first time he’d come across the grading format of competition, he believed the competition organisers had “got it pretty right”.

“Shepp Swans may have been a bit unlucky to be in the top grade, but both Echuca sides pushed us.

“We hadn’t won against any team above us until the finals, but the boys now really believe in themselves,” he said.

O’Neill did admit there would be a bit of a change of playing style with the last two finals games having been played in the morning.

“We are changing back to the afternoon, so it will be a bit different,” he said, explaining the game was scheduled for 2.45pm at Deakin Reserve on Sunday.