On Sunday morning at Donald McDonald Reserve, the St Bedes/Mentone Tigers Under 12 Mixed RED produced a stunning second-half performance to defeat Highett/Cheltenham Panthers 44–27 and claim the SMJFL Under 12 Mixed Division 3 premiership.
And they did it in front of a crowd that made sure the boys knew exactly who was behind them.
Several hundred passionate Tigers supporters packed one wing of the ground, turning it into a sea of red, blue and gold, with signs held proudly aloft and the crowd roaring the boys on from the opening bounce.
The Tigers started brilliantly. A goalless opening quarter for the Panthers saw SBMT take a slender 9–0 lead into the first break. But the game quickly turned, with the Panthers finding their feet in the second term and hitting back to take an eight-point lead into half-time, 19–11.
The Tigers needed a response, and they delivered one. In a remarkable third quarter, SBMT slammed on 33 points while holding the Panthers to just six, completely turning the game on its head. Suddenly, the Tigers had opened up a commanding 44–25 lead heading into the final term.
And with a premiership within reach, the boys showed exactly what was required.
They locked the game down in the final quarter, refusing to give the Panthers a way back in. No further goals were added by either side, and when the final siren sounded, the scoreboard read SBMT 44 def. Highett/Cheltenham 27. PREMIERS!
Hudson Charles was recognised with the Best on Ground medal for a superb performance, while also contributing two goals to the Tigers’ total. Jacob Vidotto, Brody McCauley, Noah Bertschik and Boston Halas each added one goal.
But ultimately, this was a premiership built on an entire Under 12 squad pulling together. Throughout the season, 15 players from the Division 5 team rotated through the Division 3 side, making this a premiership shared by every player who pulled on the jumper across the Under 12 program.
And it belongs just as much to the coaches, volunteers and parents who supported the boys every step of the way. From training nights to game days, rain, shine and everything in between, it was a true whole-squad, whole-club effort.
