THE Golden Rivers Football League finds itself at the foot of the AFL Victoria Community Championship rankings following an 83-point loss to Kyabram District Football Netball League on Saturday.
Taking on a side that included seven players with Goulburn Valley Football League experience, the hosts were no match in the 21.13 (139) to 9.2 (56) loss at Murrabit.
Accuracy in front of goal ensured the deficit did not surpass triple figures, but the performance was the GRFL’s worst result since re-entering the championships in 2014, whilst the win reversed Kyabram District’s 67-point loss in the same match 12 months ago.
The signs of what Golden Rivers’ representative side would face were evident within the first part of the opening term.
Kyabram District captain, Tyson Sidebottom and the visitors’ best on ground medallist, Kasey Duncan benefited from the efforts of ruckmen, Alex Tattersall and Andrew Pettigrove, in any stoppages.
Ashton Cashion kicked the first goal of the match for the visitors seven minutes into the game, but goals to Steve Lyons and Michael Morson gave the hosts a four-point lead.
This would be the only time in the match that Golden Rivers would lead, with Jayden Excell – who dominated across half-back – and Duncan beginning to control proceedings.
Kyabram District kicked the next four goals of the game – with Chris Burton and Cashion registering doubles – to open up a 21-point lead at quarter time.
Golden Rivers coach, Paul Grayling decided to move Luke O’Toole from the back line into the forward 50 early in the second term, and the move started to pay dividends.
O’Toole took advantage of the work that Bryden Morison, Gregor Knight and Tom Isma produced in the middle of the ground, linking up with Wandella forward, Sam Sperling for the hosts’ first major of the term.
However, for each goal Golden Rivers kicked, Kyabram District managed to answer with at least two of its own.
Jayden Excell continued to control proceedings across the half-back line, with his brother, Jack starting to take control of the game.
Jack Excell kicked two of Kyabram District’s four goals of the term – increasing his personal tally to three – to open up a 30-point lead at the main break.
The Stanhope forward continued his dominant form early in the third quarter, kicking two goals in the first three minutes of the match to push the margin out to 42 points,
However, Golden Rivers kept in touch, despite seeing many of its attacking forays break down across the half-forward line.
Ben Booth and Sperling hit the scoreboard in the space of five minutes, but Burton’s fourth goal of the match early in time-on ensured Kyabram District went into the three-quarter time break leading by 48 points.
The last term became a procession for the visitors, with Cashion, Duncan and Rob Staff all kicking multiple goals to push the lead to close to 100 points.
Justin Robinson gave the hosts something to cheer about late in the game, with a running goal from near the boundary line early in time-on the first major for the term.
Jack Excell finished with five goals for the victors, with Burton, Cashion and Rob Staff kicking four goals each. Booth, Lyons, Robinson and Sperling each kicked two goals for the hosts.
Duncan, Cashion and Michael Morgan were best on ground for the victors, with Taylor Williamson presented with the medal for being Golden Rivers’ best player.
The result means Kyabram District moves to 30th on the rankings and a potential match-up with Warrnambool District in 2018, with Golden Rivers sitting 32nd and the prospect of meeting Colac District in 12 months’ time.
