That’s the message from co-coach Corey Carver whose team faces a huge first-up challenge when the 2026 season gets under way this Friday on the Easter weekend.
Kyabram takes on Rochester, the side it beat last year for the flag, in a blockbuster first round clash at Kyabram.
The Bombers have farewelled premiership players from last year in Nic Holman, Archie Watt, Liam Ogden and Nic Jephson.
But it has recruited former premiership player Rhys Clark and another former senior player in utility Aaron Hayes, while speedster Rueben Rode, who played two years ago with the club has returned.
Other newcomers are Jack Sinclair from Tongala and Mack Ayton from Kilsythe who will add depth to the senior list.
Rode and goal-kicking star Anthony Depasquale have listed Kyabram as their home club, so will be available if their VFL club Werribee does not select them.
Without Holman as a target in attack the Bombers have to find some goal-scoring power and the talented Charlie Barnett looks the main hope of scoring regular bags of goals.
While two of the club’s most promising young players in Watt and Jephson have moved on other emerging players in Oscar Dixon, Charlie Isaac, Ben Railton, Bohden Learmonth, Mitch Gugliotti, Tom Burnett, Miller Griffiths, Adam Pulsoni and Riley Gallivan will get their chance to show they can hold their own at senior level.
Kyabram’s engine room will again be the key to another productive season.
In mobile ruckman Zac Norris they have one of the league’s best big men and other classy on-ballers in Mick Mattingly, Kaine Herbert, Aiden Robinson, Josh Dillon, Riley Ironside and Coby McCarthy are all potential match-winners.
And Kyabram’s renowned defence led by 40-year-old freak Jason Morgan, Brad Whitford, Cooper Vick, Jake Parkinson and Jack Sheldon has shown it can curb the best goal-kicking sides in the league.
Parkinson is currently sidelined by a slow healing broken arm suffered in last year’s grand final and will be a late starter to the season.
But the rest of Kyabram’s senior list should be available.
Rochester is tipped to be one of the main flag contenders again with some class recruits including ex-Melbourne player Marty Hore and Felix Fogarty from Lake Wendouree.
Hore won’t play in the early rounds.
There is expected be an evening up of the GVL clubs this season with several teams including Seymour, Shepparton United and Benalla expected to be a lot tougher to beat.
Opening round games:
Good Friday
Kyabram v Rochester
Shepparton v Shepp United
Saturday
Seymour v Benalla
Mansfield v Euroa
Echuca v Tatura
Mooroopna v Shepp Swans (night game)
