St Bedes/ Mentone Tigers resumed control of Fortress Brindisi in their VAFA Premier B clash at home against Fitzroy on Saturday with a sound 85 point victory. After the long wait of an arduous pre-season under new coach Stephen Ryan supported by Adam Acreman and Steve D’Andrea, the Tigers found the visiting Lions a tough nut to crack in a highly-competitive first quarter with the Tigers defence ably led by Dan and Tom Garside working overtime to repel the willing opposition to trail by 4 points at the first break. The second started like the first with the young Tiger defence standing firm with Ben Dance and Josh Cowan calm under pressure until half way through the term when the Mentone team took the ascendency, with hard running and good ball use, to bang on 4 unanswered majors to send them to the long break with a handy 28 point lead. After half time, the Tigers continued to apply pressure with strong inside work from Mark Geschke and Brett Denton releasing the run of the ball carriers and the Tigers bounded away with a dominant 6 goal 7 term to lead by 50 points at the orange break. The last continued as the third with Mitch Coen banging through his fourth to wrap up proceedings as the Tigers peppered the goals to add a further wasteful 6 goals 9 with the hard work through the summer beginning to show as the Mentone team’s fitness clearly showing as they ran out 85 point winners on a brilliant autumn day for local footy. The Development team had a hard fought win over Fitzroy by 16 points with Ben Nicoll and ‘Lewy’ Stutterd among the best while Matthew Caia started the season in the goals again with a nice 5.
Under 19s, under new coach Adrian Lane, had an outstanding win away against Fitzroy by 95 points with James Mangoni, Mitch Johnstone and Kieren Arthur amongst the best while the second Under 19 team had a tough initiation to the season with a loss away to the strong De La Salle. The Seniors and Development Team take the short journey to the Beach Oval to play willing rival Old Brighton next Saturday, the Thirds commence their season against Monash Blues at Southern Road while the Under 19s are at home against Caulfield Grammarians and St Bernard’s respectively.