James Curnow’s third and final goal in the dying stages of the clash saw the Bombers clinch a thrilling grand final berth against a wayward Echuca.
The Murray Bombers booted 5.16 (46) in the face of Kyabram’s 7.5 (47) as the Bombers look to clinch their first Reserve grade flag since 2018.
In the under-18s, Echuca tasted defeat for the first time this season on the last kick of the day against Shepparton Swans, who have now forced Echuca to go the long way to the grand final courtesy of their two-point defeat.
The first two Echuca sides into their respective grand finals were the under-15 netballers and Fourth’s footballers, and both sides did so in dramatic fashion.
For sheer theatre, however, the under-15 campaign so far has to take the cake for most entertaining.
The Murray Bombers first knocked off minor premier Shepparton Swans in an extra-time thriller in last week’s qualifying final, running away to an eight-goal win after scores were tied at 42-apiece.
In Saturday’s second semi-final, Echuca held its nerve once again to claim a 32-28 victory and qualify for the under-15 decider in another display of grit and determination.
The under-16s, heading into what is now the last campaign in the age bracket in the GVL, registered a narrow seven-point win over Shepparton Bears in the qualifying final.
However, it was Echuca’s 22-point victory over Shepparton Swans in the second semi-final on Saturday that netted the Murray Bombers a grand final berth, with Tom Evans three goals and a star showing from Jaxson McMinn the difference.