Sport

Bomber boilover: Leitchville-Gunbower stuns reigning premier

By Josh Huntly

May 15, 2023

Spin cycle: Leitchville-Gunbower’s Tom Brereton was pivotal in victory for the Bombers. Photo: Steve Huntley Photo by Steve Huntley

Wins have been few and far between for Leitchville-Gunbower in recent seasons.

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Before the round five clash against reigning premier Lockington-Bamawm United, its record was one win from the past 26 matches.

That all changed in a big boilover at Leitchville Reserve on Saturday.

The Bombers stunned the Cats 12.10 (82) to 8.9 (57) in a famous victory, notching their first win of the season in emphatic fashion.

After a tight first three quarters, Leitchville-Gunbower capitalised on an 18-point lead at the final break to claim its first win since round two last year, when it pipped Huntly by a point.

Bombers’ coach Shannon Keam said it was “reward for effort” after a difficult first four rounds.

“It was really good for the footy club. It’s been starved over the last couple of years, obviously,” Keam said.

“It was very pleasing, a bit of reward for effort.

“I think we were a bit more consistent over the four quarters than what we’ve been.”

The Bombers belied their underdog status in the first quarter, starting better out of the two sides to hold an eight-point lead at quarter-time.

LBU showed glimpses of the 2022 premier in the early stages of the second term, but pleasingly for Keam his charges were up for the challenge, booting four goals to three.

“They shot out of the blocks in the second quarter but we were able to peg them back by half-time,” he said.

“It was more about staying in the game and going harder for longer.”

The misfiring Cats squandered opportunities to convert in the third quarter, kicking 1.5 to the Bombers’ two straight goals.

It was all Leitchville-Gunbower in the final term, booting 3.6 to LBU’s two goals and delivering Keam his first victory as coach of the club.

Tom Brereton (three goals), Lachlan Martini and Lachlan Sverns stood out for the Bombers alongside Caleb Hislop, who was a decisive factor in his first game for the club.

Tyler Jones and Matt McLellan also jumped in with two goals, but Keam said it was a 22-player performance on the day.

“We had a good spread. It was hard picking the best players,” he said.

“Lachie Martini and Lachie Sverns down back were really solid for us.”

The win has lifted Leitchville-Gunbower off the foot of the ladder, while the Cats have slipped to fifth after the loss.

Jake Rorke (two goals), Ben Holman and Tyler Phillips were judged LBU’s best, while Brodie Collins and Tom Leech led the side’s goal-kicking alongside Rorke with two each.

The Cats will have the opportunity to rebound this week against White Hills, while the Bombers’ difficult assignments keep coming with a clash against second-placed North Bendigo.