Fitzroy overrun St Bedes/Mentone to book Grand Final berth – Premier C Men’s Preliminary Final Review

Fitzroy 14.7 (91) def St Bedes/Mentone Tigers 12.6 (78)

Fitzroy overcame a slow start to book their spot in the Premier C Men’s Grand Final alongside Parkdale Vultures, after defeating a valiant St Bedes/Mentone outfit by 13 points.

St Bedes were greeted by a favourable wind advantage down one end of the ground at Trevor Barker Oval, which was capitalised upon in their two-goal return for the quarter. Meanwhile, Fitzroy failed to register a scoring shot in the first term due to a compact back six fronting up for the Tigers.

Fitzroy coach Jack Dalton acknowledged the early pressure applied by the visitors in a hotly contested opening term.

“St Bedes challenged us early and I was really proud of the way our boys responded,” he said.

This challenge yielded the Tigers a 14-point advantage at the first break.

St Bedes continued their first quarter assault in the second term, booting consecutive goals to stretch their margin out to a game-high 26 points, beginning to really threaten the possibility of a Preliminary Final boilover.

St Bedes coach Joel McKee was glowing of his side’s effort in the second term.

“We started really well into the wind in the second quarter…it was one of our better quarters of the year, which got us a strong lead at half-time,” McKee said.

Fitzroy were able to steady somewhat in the second term with two goals, but it was the Tigers who had the momentum at the main change.

Trailing by 25 points, the Roys needed to get the game back on their terms and showed glimpses of that with a major in the sixth minute. From there, they booted six goals to St Bedes’ four to trim the margin to 12 points at the final break.

“We worked our way back into the game, got ourselves in front and then showed enormous composure and belief when we were challenged again late,” Dalton added.

St Bedes could not sustain their pressure in the second half that previously warranted them a substantial lead, which allowed Fitzroy to overrun them in the final term. Another six-goal term to St Bedes’ two did the damage and secured Fitzroy’s spot in the Grand Final.

“Really proud of the resilience of the group”, Dalton said.

Major performers for the victors included Darcy Winstanley kicking three goals, Vice-Captain Ted Clayton with two, while Rhys Seakins, Sam Jordan, and Alistair McQuire all slotted one each.

In the Tigers camp, Joel McKee outlined some of his committed and admirable players from the loss.

“Zac Winter and Zac Calvez were huge down back, as was Bennett Martin”, he said.

So, the stage is set for a Grand Final of two in-form Premier C teams. Fitzroy have been the dominant side all year, while Parkdale proved too strong in this matchup in the Qualifying Final.

Expect a fiery contest next week at Trevor Barker Oval to decide this season’s Premier!