We were sadden to hear that Rod Bryant passed away yesterday. Rod was well known to many generations of players and members of the St Bedes / Mentone Tigers as well as the general football and local community. Rod, who first came to the club in 1982 as a St Bedes O.C. player played 163 games for the club. During that time he was captain coach of our reserves side for five seasons and played 31 seniors games. He was also one of a band of great workers that the club had to rely upon during those years. He played, served on committee and helped out where he could. In 1997 he was recognised with life membership. Rod in recent years still undertook jobs like cooking the BBQ for the seniors during pre season, as well as many others tasks that needed to be done. He also met his wife Karen through the footy club. Karen’s brother, Dave Smith (225 games) joined the club in 1985, three years after Rod. Rod and Karen have three children and he went on to coach both his son’s Jake and Nathan’s junior’s sides. In 2012 Nathan was a member of our U15 premiership side. Rod would have coached a lot of the boys from that side when they were U10’s and 11’s. Aside from the boys Rod and Karen also have a daughter, Emma. We’re certain he would have supported her interests as well. At the club Rod was one to go about things quietly. He had a great passion for Aussie Rules and loved to talk about the senior side and how they and players were going. He was always positive about our prospects. We remember Rod’s playing days though. Rod was famous for being able to play full forward and full back almost at the same time, depending of course on which way the breeze blew. His greatest football moment in senior side was certainly the day he snuck five goals from a pocket against State Bank who were top of the table at the time. His mates referred to Rod as Wedge. We’re not quite sure why. In later years Rod took up umpiring the club’s reserves games, as well as mid week umpiring school games for St Bede’s College. He was also know as a great worker for the parents & friends at St John Vianneys. All told Rod had a continuous involvement with our club for 30 years. We are saddened to lose a friend. Our thoughts are with Karen, Jake, Nathan and Emma. We also know how hard this must be for Rod’s dad, John and brother Tim who have also been part of the SBMT family. Our thoughts are with you too. In other sad news we express our condolences to the family of Andy Goldberg. Andy who was our senior trainer and a club personality during the late 80’s and 90’s passed away after a battle with illness. Both Rod and Andy were in their 50’s. Rest in peace.