NTFL games record holder Iggy Vallejo tells his Saints players to leave no regrets on the ground

IGGY Vallejo’s 10 grand final wins and league record 361 games in a St Mary’s jumper make him well qualified to talk about this week’s NTFL Grand Final

St Mary's assistant coach Iggy Vallejo is highly qualified to talk about his side’s premiership chances after a league record 361 games in a green and gold jumper..

IGGY Vallejo’s 10 grand final wins and league record 361 games in a St Mary’s jumper make him well qualified to talk about tomorrow night’s NTFL Grand Final.

St Mary’s qualified for their 50th Premier League grand final when they beat Nightcliff in the second semi-final, the same side they meet in the Big Dance.

Vallejo won 10 flags, but he also lost five in a 21-year playing career that included the 2008-09 Nichols Medal, the league’s highest individual award.

Part of the coaching staff under his brother Anthony that has transformed the 32-time premier from also-rans to grand finalists, Vallejo is taking nothing for granted.

“The job is not done yet, obviously with one more game to go the boys are definitely switched on and tuned in for the game ahead,’’ he said.

“But Nightcliff will come out hard, they are the reigning premier and didn’t finish on top of the ladder for nothing. They’ve lost two games through the season and both of them to us, so we know they’re going to come ready to fight hard.’’

Vallejo’s message to the Saints players is simple — have no regrets after the game.

“It’s the worst possible thing you can have after a win, lose or draw, having regrets on things you should have done and could have ,’’ he said.

“Go in hard from the first bounce, win the footy and give it your best shot, because it might just be the last time you are out there.’’

And can the Saints make it three wins from four over Nightcliff this season?

“We’ve got a game plan we’ve stuck to all year and it’s one we think is good enough to put up against a strong side like Nightcliff,’’ he said.

“It will pay off again if we stick to what we know and that can only be achieved by everyone playing their role within the team.’’