On a brilliant autumn day for football, St Bedes/ Mentone Tigers re-iterated the status of Fortress Brindisi with a tough, uncompromising, come-from-behind 7 point victory over traditional ANZAC Day rivals Old Scotch on Monday. After a respectful ceremony commemorating the country’s ANZAC tradition in front of a large crowd, the Cardinals started well kicking with a flukey 12-15 point Brindisi Street breeze but were repelled by a stout SBMT defence with James Tyquin continuing his outstanding early-season form. But, as is so often the case in today’s football, defence quickly turned into offence and with the first 3 goals of the game the Tigers looked to be steamrolling their highly-fancied opponent, however, Scotch then got their own running game going to kick the next 4 and turn 6 points clear. After the short break, the Cards continued their attack to take their lead to 23 points mid-quarter only to have the Mentone team take stock, reload and bang on 3 late goals to restore equilibrium and go to the half still 6 points in arrears but anyone’s game. After the long break, the game became an arm-wrestle and St Bedes, with Pat Hurst and Michael Barnes willing their team forward, contained Scotch until the dying seconds only to have their deficit extended to 9 points on the siren. As has so often been the case in recent years, leaving St Bedes/Mentone Tigers within range at the three quarter time is usually a recipe for disaster and so it turned out AGAIN – the local team’s tough summer regimen looked to be a major factor as the Tigers overran the Cardinals for most of the quarter, with Lachie Palfrey finishing off his best performance at this level and first-gamer Alex Smout booting 3 clutch goals in the second half, only to win by a mere 7 points in a classic come-from-behind victory. The Development Team blew Old Scotch out-of-the-water in the first quarter to lead by 5 goals but from then on the Camberwell team gradually took control to eventually win easily by an 18 point margin. Matthew Caia and Hayden Jeans both booted 3 majors for the home team. The Thirds again battled hard before going down to Old Carey. The Under 19s continued their winning form with an 86 point victory over Old Brighton with Matt Lannan, Jordan Pastura and Robbie Iudica the best in another excellent performance. The second Under 19 team lead most of the day but were eventually overrun in the last quarter by a very well-equipped Williamstown CYMS. The Seniors, Development Team and Thirds all take on the undefeated ladder leaders Beaumaris at Beaumaris next Saturday while the Under 19s are at home to Whitefriars and away to St Kevin’s respectively.