St Bedes/Mentone Tigers lost the VAFA Premier Division 2nd Semi Final to Collegians by 46 points on Saturday after getting to within 12 points in the first minute of the last quarter. In the first, the Tigers kicked with the usual Elsternwick Park 5-6 goal gusty northerly but came out with the worst possible start as Collegians banged on the first 4 majors with some precision passing and hard running before the Tigers had gathered themselves – at quarter time the margin was an inglorious 24 points and the locals had a lot of work to do. Again at the start of the second, the Purple Men ran free across half back and the centre and set up scoring opportunities at will, however, with James Tyquin, Sam Anstey and Jack Hellier willing their team back the Tigers started to get some ball movement and some tackle pressure onto Collegians and began to bridge the gap. The Tigers were now starting to play their own game and it was clear that the boys from Harry Trott clearly preferred the free-running, no tackling ball movement that is their signature style and only for a very unfortunate late goal by Collegians the Tigers would have been a little closer than the eventual 32 point half time margin. Again at the start of the second half, the Tigers allowed Collegians to play their free-running style and looked to be in trouble yet again, however, they then resumed with greater hardness at the contest, and with Ben Phibbs in everything in the forward half, began to get results by way of the ball being constantly in their forward zone but alas after dominating most of the quarter only came up with 2 goals 10 – reminiscent of the Purple team 3 years ago…..With an 18 point deficit at the last change and with their renowned finishing prowess it was clear that the Mentone team sniffed an opportunity and with the first goal inside a minute and its loud crowd erupting the Tigers looked to be overrunning the premiership favourites as they again charged the ball forward only to unfortunately be disallowed well within scoring range. Now the heat was on every contest and at last the Tigers seemed up for a fight but with a long injury delay after St Bedes star Hiwad Shakaib accidentally went down, Collegians were able to regroup and re-commence their attacking game and with 6 unanswered goals were ultimately able to cruise home effortlessly in the end. • Last Sunday the U19s lost their first semi final by 31 points after a very encouraging season under the continued mentorship of ex-Richmond utility Des Ryan. •Next Sunday, the St Bedes/Mentone Tigers return to Elsternwick Park to play Old Xaverians in the cut-throat Preliminary Final for the right to join Collegians in VAFA’s last day in September.