VAFA: How St Bedes/Mentone secured big win over Glen Eira

St Bedes/Mentone sits comfortably in the Premier C top-four after a week where the coach “went back to school” with his players. Inside the move which sparked a big win.

Jubilant St Bedes/Mentone players. Picture: Andrew Batsch

After back-to-back losses against fellow finals contenders, St Bedes/Mentone “went back to school”.

Coach Brad Berry used the week leading up to the game against Glen Eira/Old McKinnon as an opportunity to hone in on his side’s game plan.

The week on the track had an immediate impact as the Tigers secured a seven-point win over the Gryphons, on the back of a four-goal to one opening term.

“We revisited our starting points and defensive set ups,” Berry said of the week leading up to the game.

“The two losses against Beaumaris and Parkdale we had some really good patches but took a lot of lessons away from those games. Our theme for the week was whatever it takes and I thought we did that.

“We’ve adopted a bit of a next man up mentality this year when we’ve had players missing and to their credit, the boys who have come in have played their role.

“I thought the first quarter on the weekend really set up the game for us. The structure stuff was really good and you can see it was fresh in the mind.”

Despite now holding a two-game advantage over PEGS in the race for finals footy, Berry knows his side can’t afford to look too far ahead.

“It was very important for the morale we got this one,” he said.

“We’ve been 1, 2, 3 for most of the year and we’ll take a lot away from the sides we’ve played so far.”

Berry was full of praise for the Gryphons who he believes will be a “dangerous” opponent for the remainder of the season.

“Marto (Glen Eira coach Guy Martyn) and his coaching staff are doing a ripper job,” he said.

“We were able to hold on and they played some really good footy after the first quarter especially. They’ve established themselves in the Premier grades now and I think they’re going to be pretty dangerous whoever they face.”