St Kevins ends its long run of outs with second semi-final win over St Bedes Mentone Tigers
ST Kevins Old Boys defeated its decade-long September demons with a 16-point win in the Premier B second semi-final against St Bedes-Mentone at VAFA Headquarters on Saturday.
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ST Kevins Old Boys defeated its decade-long September demons with a 16-point win in the Premier B second semi-final against St Bedes-Mentone at VAFA Headquarters on Saturday.
And, that monkey was torn off its back in what co-coach Jon Edgar said was a courageous victory.
“It was a gutsy effort by our blokes,” he said. “We were down to no interchange in the last quarter and just ground it out.
“St Bedes were very good I thought but we just found a way to get through.
“In past years we would’ve lost that game easily but our blokes found a way to grind it out and that’s what we’ve done all year.”
St Bedes kicked the opening two goals of the game before St Kevins assumed control.
The Tigers trailed by 14 points at the final interval bit hit the front 13 minutes into the fourth quarter.
St Kevins’ Philip Edgar immediately replied with a goal that snuffed out the comeback before captain Andrew Lynch booted the winner soon after.
Gerard Glesson topped St Kevins’ goal tally with four while Jason Salopek played his best game of the season.
Benjamin Dowd displayed serious speed before coming off with a shoulder injury.
And focal forward Stephen Gilham proved his stature with three majors in a best-on-ground performance.
With the win, St Kevins sealed its spot in the Premier ranks for next season and will play in the grand final in two weeks time.
Meanwhile, in Sunday matches, Hawthorn lost to West Brunswick in a Division 3 preliminary final at Clayton’s Meade Reserve while, in the Division 4 preliminary final, Canterbury thumped Box Hill North at Garvey Oval in Bundoora.
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