St Bedes / Mentone Tigers start their VAFA “A”Grade campaign on Saturday 12th April against old rival De La Salle at Brindisi Street
The Tigers earnt promotion to “A” Grade after winning premierships in “C” Grade and “B” Grade in consecutive years whilst losing only 3 games in those two years under the coaching regime of ex-AFL and VFL rover Luke Beveridge
In contrast to the high player attrition rate after the 2006 Premierships at senior and reserve level, the Tigers have retained most players from last year’s premiership side and have added some exciting recruits over the summer to bolster an already outstanding group in preparation for this historic season
In practice games to date, the Tigers were beaten by 14 points by a well-drilled MPFL Nepean team Sorrento and subsequently won well against an underdone 2007 MPFL Peninsula finalist Edithvale-Aspendale at Regents Park
Last week against Edithvale-Aspendale the Tiges showed their trademark hardness at the footy and used their superior fitness to run and chase all day and began to gell as a team with the new inclusions prominent and the premiership players getting back to their fine 2007 form
A large crowd is expected to be in attendance to see the strong community-focussed Mayor of the City of Kingston Cr. Bill Nixon OAM unfurl the 2007 “B” Grade premiership flag this Saturday
Everyone is more than welcome to come and watch community footy, free-of-charge, played at the local oval (superbly re-surfaced with drought-resistant summer grasses by the Kingston City Council) in the alcohol-free Amateur environment
The Tigers’ Under 19s travel to Rupertswood for their first game in VAFA U/19s Premier Division after also winning the 2006 and 2007 premierships and promotion under the outstandingly-successful tutelage of Owen Lalor
The U/19s will unfurl their 2007 premiership flag at Brindisi Street the following Saturday 19th, also against arch-rival De La Salle