Two weeks ago Kyabram Football Club was reeling from news its star player Kaine Herbert was seeking a clearance to Murray Football League club Moama.
But as of last week, things don’t look so bleak, with the club now cautiously hopeful it will hang on to its premiership co-coach.
And the signing news has kept coming for the Bombers.
They have also added another high profile player and a former junior star to the list of recruits joining the club next season.
The well-travelled latest recruit pulling on a Kyabram jumper next year is Leyton Chisholm.
And former player Mitchell Dodos, who has spent the past two seasons with the Geelong League club Newtown Chilwell, coached by legendary Geelong player Stevie Johnson, is also coming home.
Chisholm hails from Central District in the South Australian National Football League, but has also played with Greater Western Sydney Giants in the VFL, Ainslie in the AFL Canberra competition and Kyneton (Bendigo Football League).
He also played juniors with Bendigo Pioneers in the Coates Talent League.
Chisholm, 26, stands an imposing 194cm and has been described as a hard-nut inside midfielder known for his ability to win the contested ball and his defensive pressure.
Chisholm played 57 games with Central District and was in the team’s leadership group.
Dodos will add a lot of height to the Bombers and with Newtown Chilwell spent most of his time playing in the two key forward posts.
He said he was really looking forward to donning a Kyabram guernsey again.
Dodos has represented the GVL at under-18 level and was one of Kyabram’s emerging young stars when he made the move to the Geelong League.
While the club is welcoming its new signings, Anthony Depasquale won’t be back in 2027.
The goal-kicking star was tossing up whether to stay with VFL side Werribee or play with Kyabram or Ovens and Murray League club Myrtleford, but has opted to stay with Werribee.
His travelling concerns of three trips a week to train and play at Werribee have been reduced to one training session a week.
He had discussions on his future last week with Werribee’s team manager, Kyle Hartigan, and agreed to the Werribee conditions to continue his career there.
‘‘In 10 years I don’t want to regret not staying with Werribee, who have also worked some out accommodation for me on match days,’’ he said.
‘‘I had planned a change, but I did have good finish to this year’s season which also influenced me to stay with Werribee.’’
Depasquale runs Kyabram’s Blue Brick Hotel.
Kyabram president John Guinan said the Chisolm and Dodos signings were coups for the club, which has already lured the Holman brothers Nick and Tom back for the 2027 season, along with Lancaster recruit Morrie Serra.
23°C