THERE must be something in the water over Kyabram way.
The size and physical maturity of the KDFL boys was in stark contrast to that of the Ovens and King side in Saturday's interleague curtain-raiser, and the end result was indicative of that gap.
Kyabram dominated the better portion of the match, getting out to a 69-point lead early in the final term before the OandK kicked the last three goals to add a bit of respectability to the scoreboard.
Still, given the talent the OandK had on the field, a 52-point loss was the last thing most fans were expecting.
But it only took one look at the Kyabram side to realise the OandK was going to be swimming upstream.
They looked every bit a senior football side, with a host of players standing well over six foot tall, and not skinny-teenager tall.
Kyabram captain Matt Thomas and VCFL Medallist Aaron Biddle both sported full beards and looked more like they were in their mid-twenties than teens, and played accordingly.
OandK coach Peter Hines said Kyabram's mature bodies had a big impact on the result.
"It was a bit daunting for some of our younger blokes," Hines said.
"When their blokes got a bit of pace behind them they were very hard to pull up in the tackles.
"A few of our smaller boys probably got a bit intimidated.
"Their big blokes through the spine really dictated terms, and we were always pushing uphill to try to get them under control."
Still, there were some positive signs from the OandK throughout the match.
Luke Brown and Jordan Hansted were brilliant early on.
Brown won plenty of possessions in the middle, including a number of centre clearances, and helped set up Hansted's two opening quarter goals, with the OandK trailing by just six points at the first change.
In the back half, Andrew Trende and Jack Sorrensen were keeping Kyabram's power forwards under control.
The second quarter saw Kyabram get well on top in the middle, with the OandK's only goal for the term coming from a nice bit of play between Darcy Martin and Anthony Ryan.
Kyabram kicked five goals for the period, and added another four in the third to blow the margin out to 56 points heading into the final term.
But despite conceding a couple more goals early in the fourth quarter, the OandK boys refused to stay on the mat, fighting out the game valiantly with Nic Facey, Jacob Welsh and Sorrensen all firing, leaving Hines proud of his young charges.
"I reckon they gave their all, and it was a terrific effort," he said.
"To win the last quarter the way they did, the endeavor of our blokes was magnificent, I thought.
"They will take a lot out of this experience."
By - SCOTT ANDERSON.
FIGHTING A LOSING BATTLE: Darcy Martin gets a kick away for the OandK on Saturday.
PHOTO: Cheryl Browne
Last Modified on 28/05/2012 13:27