mmg.com.au

Kyabram Football Club is looking to make a financial ‘killing’ when it hosts a practice game against VFL side Bendigo Gold at Kyabram on Good Friday.

It will be the second time the town has hosted a VFL (or former VFA) side in the modern era and footy-starved fans will no doubt be out in force to watch the game.

The extra interest in the game will be created by a host of Kyabram newcomers this season plus the appearance of two of its former players — Steve Beck and Rhys Clarke — almost certainly playing for Bendigo Gold who are being coached by former St Kilda player Austin (0ssie) Jones.

Another former Bomber and Lancaster player Rick Thomson, who has been starring in recent seasons with the Mallee Eagles (formerly Lalbert) in the Mid Murray League could also line-up for Bendigo Gold.

The last VFA (now VFL) side to play in Kyabram was in 1991 when a GVFL combined side took on Williamstown, being coached at the time by Brownlow Medallist Barry Round.

The GVFL proved no match for Williamstown in that game but Kyabram star Paul Newman has stated that he will be disappointed if Kyabram can’t give Bendigo Gold a really competitive contest.

Bombers coach David Williams is happy to get a hit out against quality rivals a week before it plays its opening round match against reigning premier Tatura at Tatura.

‘‘The side should be at full strength. We might rotate some of the reserves and younger players through the four quarters,’’ Williams said.

Bendigo will run a football clinic with 25 of its players before the match,’’ said Williams.

Kyabram will also host practice matches against Pascoe Vale on March 16 and Eaglehawk on March 23.

And in a change to the draw, round 16 will see Echuca host Kyabram on Sunday afternoon after the Murray Bombers earlier agreed to play the Bombers in their first home game for the season on Saturday night in round three.