The Bombers’ seniors enjoyed an impressive season under coach Paul Newman, reaching the GVL grand final.
Kyabram finished third at the end of the home-and-away season with an impressive 15-3 win-loss record, behind only Echuca (17-1) and Seymour (16-2).
But the Bombers elevated to another level in September to charge into the decider.
Kyabram defeated Mansfield by 16 points in the elimination final at Mooroopna on September 2.
That set up a date with Echuca in week two of the finals.
The Bombers had 28 scoring shots to 24, but it was Echuca winning the second semi-final 15.9 (99) to 11.17 (83).
Kyabram faced Euroa in a tight, tense preliminary final, overcoming a half-time deficit in a 13.12 (90) to 10.17 (77) success.
A second crack at the all-conquering Echuca in the grand final was the prize for that success.
On a glorious day for football at Shepparton’s Deakin Reserve, Kyabram led at the main break by eight points.
But as legendary Kyabram sports journalist Gus Underwood described it — “It took only 11 minutes for Echuca to shatter Kyabram’s hopes of another Goulburn Valley League premiership at Deakin Reserve in Shepparton on Sunday.”
In the end, Echuca 15.13 (103) defeated Kyabram 9.13 (67).
On the individual front, star midfielder Kaine Herbert finished runner-up in the Morrison Medal to Seymour’s Jack O’Sullivan.
Kyle Mueller (51 goals) finished third in the league goalkicking charts behind Jackson Trengove (Mooroopna) and Jett Trotter (Euroa).
Newman, who will step down at the helm of the Bombers, called on the club’s talented list to regroup and dust themselves off for another tilt at silverware in 2024.
Although the multiple premiership-winning coach won’t be there to see his charges chase glory next season, he hoped the youngsters would stick fat and go again.
“This is an important part of growth in young footballers,” he said.
“They have got to understand what it’s like to lose in order to know what it takes to get back there and win.”
Kyabram’s reserves finished the regular season in second spot (16-2), but bowed out of the premiership race with a 15-point preliminary final loss to Shepparton United.
The Bombers’ thirds ended the home-and-away point of the season in fourth (13-5), although its season came to an end in week two of the finals.
Over at the courts, Kyabram’s A-grade netballers placed 10th with three wins for the season.
The B-Reserve, 17-years-and-under and 15-years-and-under sides all qualified for the finals series.
B-Reserve and the 15-years-and-under lost their respective elimination finals.
The 17-years-and-under team won their elimination final against Echuca (49-35) before a 51-44 defeat to Mooroopna in the first semi-final.
11°C