NTFL heavyweights St Mary’s continue their revival after a horror 2018-19 campaign

ST MARY’S might have slipped under the NTFL radar in recent weeks, but joint captain Shannon Rioli is happy with that

Raphael Clarke and Jack Geary celebrate a grand final win. Will the 2019-20 NTFL season produce a 33rd Premier League flag?

ST MARY’S might have slipped under the NTFL radar in recent weeks, but joint captain Shannon Rioli is more than happy with that.

The 32-time Premier League champions have come back from wooden spooners last season to finish in the top three sides a year later.

How far they have progressed will be defined in the last two home and away games before the finals.

Matches against their football cousins the Tiwi Bombers on Saturday night and the unpredictable Darwin Buffaloes a week later will test the Saints.

Rioli and his teammates have looked on from the outside while most of the media attention has been focused on the Tiwis and Nightcliff.

“To be honest we’re pretty happy with that because we’re still trying to build and get ourselves ready for a full-on tilt at the finals,’’ Rioli said.

“There are still bits and pieces that need to fall into place for us, so if we can continue to sneak by under the radar, it’s probably a good thing.’’

Rioli said first year coach Anthony Vallejo would not want too much pressure being placed on the playing group.

“It’s an important time now it’s getting to the pointy end of the season where we play the Tiwis this week,’’ he said.

“The Tiwis losing on the weekend takes the pressure off us in terms of second spot, though second or third doesn’t really matter in the first week of the finals.’’

St Mary’s have been on the losing end in both matches against the fleet footed Tiwis this season, including the Round 3 shootout when 37 goals were scored.

Rioli wants to reduce that record to 2-1 before the first week of the finals.

“If we can knock them off this week after they beat us twice early in the season, it will give us that little bit of confidence,’’ he said.

“But it’s never easy when we play them, they can be in their worst form and still come out and give us a hard time.

“Their style of play matches up pretty well with us, which usually means a tough and competitive game of footy.’’

St Mary’s have begun to move into finals mode with several big name players returning to the side.

On-baller Jack Geary played his first game since December against Waratah and forwards Jackson Calder and Jarrad Waite are close to qualifying or have already reached the required six games.

.