Fabian Carelli has stepped down as St Mary’s coach after seven years

After seven years at the helm, Fabian Carelli made the “gut-wrenching” decision to step down as St Mary’s coach, telling his players after the final siren on Saturday.

St Mary’s coach Fabian Carelli. Picture: Josh Chadwick

Minutes after Saturday’s heart-breaking finish, Fabian Carelli called his players together and announced his resignation.

St Mary’s NFNL Division 2 season had just come to an end, pipped to a top-five finish by just 0.59 per cent after a 31-point loss to Thomastown.

Carelli said it was a “gut-wrenching” call after seven years in the top job.

“I told the players on the ground after the game, I called them in, and made the announcement to our supporters as well,” Carelli said.

“I think it’s time for the players and club to get a new voice and move in a different direction.

“They’re well placed, I’d like to think since I’ve been at the footy club I leave it in a better place, and if that’s my legacy I can be happy with that.

“You know when the time is right as a coach, it wasn’t a selfish decision, it was taking a broader approach for both parties to go in different directions.”

The Diamond Valley/Northern league great took St Mary’s to a NFNL Division 3 premiership in his first season in charge in 2018.

After consolidating it’s position in Division 2 in 2019, the Burras missed out on a maiden finals appearance by half a game in 2022.

A preliminary final appearance would follow last year but the club struggled for consistency this season, finishing sixth with an 8-10 record.

While the end was “a bitter pill to swallow”, Carelli is confident St Mary’s is well placed for future success.

“The club is in good hands going forward with what we’ve developed,” he said.

“There’s more exciting talent coming through to in the under-19s and at the junior club in the under-17 and under-16 level if they decide to stick around and make St Mary’s their senior club.

St Mary’s coach Fabian Carelli talks to his players. Picture: Josh Chadwick

“There’s exciting times to come for the footy club.”

The Burras led by 35 points late in the second quarter on Saturday but were over-run by Thomastown.

“We controlled the game in the first half but there was momentum shift towards the end of the second quarter and then Thommo was all over us in the second half.

“We knew what the score had to be, to keep it under, but we couldn’t control it so credit to Thommo.

“We knew there’d be challenges with people going overseas and then injuries that came at the wrong time to players that were brought into the club that we hoped would cover those losses.

“We played 48 players in the senior team, that’s fair number, and it took a toll on the players but the flip side is we got to blood some new players.”

Just three players – Jake Halewood, Jeremiah Antypas and Nick Daisley – played all 18 games.

For the second year in a row, Antypas lead the club goalkicking with 32 majors, while Rory Hanlon led the way with nine bests in 15 matches.

St Mary’s president Mark Stanley paid tribute to the premiership-winning coach.

“It is with both gratitude and sadness that we announce senior men’s head coach Fab Carelli has decided to resign,” Stanley wrote on the club’s Facebook page.

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“Fab joined us for the 2018 season … his impact was immediate and he guided us to a premiership in his first season, propelling us from Division 3 to Division 2.

“Fab has been a cornerstone of our club’s growth and success over the past seven years, his passion, resilience, and leadership have left a lasting impact on everyone here at St Mary’s and we are deeply grateful for all he has done.

“We all extend a huge thank you to Fab for his efforts and contributions to the club.

“Though his role as Head Coach is coming to an end, we look forward to continuing to see him around the club and to his ongoing involvement with our community.”