Bombers pipped at the death by roaring Lions in reserves grand final

Unfortunatley, it was slow-going for both sides through much of the first half, as the game quickly devolved into a midfield dogfight.

Kyabram struck first and early, getting the lone major of the first stanza through William Wild.

The Lions had their chances, but couldn’t kick straight, settling for a smattering of minor scores, with neither team able to crack double digits in the first period of play.

The Bombers’ shaky lead was quickly erased as the Lions came out firing with two quick goals through Julian Morgan and Jack Radford and another after a 50m penalty was paid.

Sam Vick managed to jag one back for the Bombers, taking momentum into the main break despite trailing 2.2 (14) to 3.4 (22).

Seymour’s Taiten Thomas drew first blood in the second half, quickly pushing the Lions’ lead out to 15.

However, Peter Ryan medallist for best-on-ground adjudged by the media, Thomas Burnett, nabbed one seconds later for Kyabram after a good solo effort on the left wing.

The Bombers appeared invigorated following the break, continuing to probe inside 50 despite multiple set shot chances going begging.

Jarryd Pertzel injected some belief into Kyabram after converting a big shot on the edge of 50, bringing it back to a one-point game.

As both sides settled for minor scores in the final moments of the third quarter, tying up the scores at 4.6 (30) apiece heading into a do-or-die final frame.

Pertzel proved to be the shining light for the Bombers once more, sending one straight through the sticks to give his side the lead to open the fourth.

Seymour’s Dylan Davis had a chance to answer right away, but couldn’t convert, but the Lions were well on their way.

Radford, operating out of full-forward, took a tumbling mark over the pack right outside of goal, delivering for Seymour and breaking the game open.

From there, it was all but over for the minor premiers.

Davis got a second bite at the cherry after taking a mark right in front of the posts, lifting the Lions into a strong position as the final siren loomed.

While the Bombers grabbed a late minor to put them within a goal of drawing level once more, it was too little too late as Seymour played keepings off to wind down the clock.

In every game, the full-time siren is either the sound of ultimate triumph or a haunting drone, and as the Bombers fell to the turf, the Kyabram faithful knew which was which.

The 5.8 (38) to 6.9 (45) loss brings an end to a successful home and away season where the Bombers went 17-1 and, after beating Seymour twice in 2025 including in the second week of finals, makes the defeat that much more bitter.

Despite the loss, Burnett’s nod as best-on-ground was a spot of reward, even if that second medal’s absence lingered.

“I’m pretty gutted (with the loss), more for the boys – I’ve only played a few games with this group, but I know how much it means to them all,” he said.

“I know the work they’ve put in, so it’s disappointing for sure.

“(Receiving best-on) would be better if there were two medals around my neck, it’s nice to play well in a big game, but I just couldn’t get the boys over the line.”