Passionate Bomber Josh Kable rewarded with captaincy

The former junior moved away to Melbourne for university before returning to his home club in 2019.

It was his time away in Melbourne that he realised how much his home club meant to him.

"I played at Dederang until I finished year 12 and then had two years down in Melbourne," Kable said.

"The club was going through a lean patch then and seeing the club where I played all my juniors getting pumped every week made me want to get back there and help out.

"I think a lot of players these days are quick to jump ship.

"But I love the club and seeing it down on its knees was tough.

"Fortunately the club was able to attract a lot of its junior players back and is slowly getting back to where it should be."

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The Bombers were firstly able to lure former junior Damien Jones back to the club as coach after a stint with Wodonga.

Jones then landed arguably the highest-profile signing of the off-season after enticing good mate Elliott Powell to join him at Dederang as co-coach.

Powell joined Albury from Dederang-Mt Beauty in 2015 and made an immediate impact, starring in the Tigers' 2015, 2016 and 2018 premierships.

He played about 80 matches for the Bombers as a youngster as he quickly became the most exciting talent in the Tallangatta and District league.

Kable is an unabashed fan of Powell.

"Elliott has got a smart footy brain and is a bit of a natural as a coach," he said.

"To have him running around for us has been unreal.

"Elliott has had a few injuries but has found his best form the last couple of weeks and was by far our best player against Barnawartha last week.

"He has really found his feet at the club and after having already played juniors at the club knows a lot of the players and has slotted in really well."

Kable has also been handed some extra responsibility this year and is captain of the Bombers.

The 23-year-old is the first to admit it wasn't a role that came naturally to him.

"I was surprised to be named captain because I'm naturally a fairly shy fella," he said.

"So I didn't really expect it but have been working hard on talking before the game and that sort of thing.

"But I have enjoyed the challenge."

The Bombers sit seventh with a 5-5 record.

Kable conceded that this weekend's clash with fifth-placed Tallangatta was the Bombers' last roll of the dice in regards to playing finals.

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