A huge crowd saw St Bedes / Mentone Tigers unfurl their VAFA “B” Grade premiership flag and start their season in “A” Grade with a tough, uncompromising win against arch rival De La Salle
The Tigers jumped De La with the first 4 goals of the game and were never headed, eventually winning by 25 points
The game was played at a fierce pace and the Tigers showed their characteristic hardness at the ball and ferocious tackling all day with this pressure ultimately being instrumental in their victory
The match was an arm-wrestle with De La, having gone behind early, going goal-for-goal with the Tigers (getting to within 8 points early in the last quarter) and never at any stage letting the locals dictate terms in an entertaining game at the Bridisi Street oval
The Tigers were well-served by the hard-running and goalkicking of Luke Terrell and the experience and calmness under pressure of recruit Mick Hazell and dual premiership player Paul Wintle
The result was a credit to the Tigers tenacity and work ethic as they were struck early with injuries and had no fit players to interchange after half-time
The Tiger Reserves pulled off a remarkable one point win under new coach Sean Napier after trailling by 33 points at 3/4 time and coming home full of running to kick the last 6 goals of the game and show that all the hard work over summer was worth every minute
The Under 19s took the long trek to Rupertswood for their first game in VAFA U/19s Premier Division and came home 67 point winners to round off a great day for the club
The Tigers journey to Melbourne Uni this week to take on the strong University Blues outfit who will test the newcomers to “A” Grade in what should be an entertaining game