Anthony Vallejo on reapplying for St Mary’s for 2024-25 NTFL season

Despite making four of the past five NTFL grand finals Anthony Vallejo’s coaching job has been put up for application, and he’s now revealed if he will reapply for the position.

St Mary’s coach Anthony Vallejo has confirmed he has thrown his hat in the ring again after his five-year contract as the head coach came to an end.

Saints’ supporters were left confused after the club posted that applications were open for several senior coaching jobs, including the Men’s Premier League.

The only senior coaching role not advertised was the Women’s Premier League, with Ryan Smith having signed a two-year contract prior to coaching the side to a grand final in his first season.

This came despite Anthony Vallejo having coached the side to the 2023-24 premiership, his second flag from four grand final visits across his five-year tenure.

The response to the initial post prompted new president Carol Stanislaus to make a statement, assuring supporters it was done to practice good governance, transparency and accountability.

Anthony Vallejo and Xavier Vallejo following the St Mary's 2023-24 NTFL premiership win. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

“It is standard process to advertise the role along with the other coaching roles where contracts have expired,” the post read.

“This has been discussed with Anthony “Chopper” Vallejo in his post season review and he has been encouraged to apply for the Head Coach of our Men’s Premier League.”

Vallejo confirmed he applied for the job following his post-season review, but said it was a bit of a nervous feeling having to reapply and go through the interview process.

“I’ve put my name in the ring again and have sent in my application following the review,” he said.

“I’ve stayed out of it, but I know there’s been a bit of chatter and that’s nice to know people, both supporters and players, think I’m doing a good job.

“In the five years I’ve been coaching we’ve been lucky enough to be in four of the grand finals and won two, compared to the wooden spoon finish the year before me.

“I’d be crazy not to put my hand up again with the success this group can achieve.”

Anthony Vallejo has led his side to two grand final wins.

He said the most recent grand final win was particularly special because of the inclusion of his son Xavier Vallejo, who kicked a goal in the big dance against Nightcliff.

The Saints group has also been built during Vallejo’s tenure with plenty of youngsters coming through, while Dylan Landt, Jackson Calder and Nate Paredes have cemented themselves as leaders.

“My son playing made this a special grand final, there’s wouldn’t be too many father sons that get to a grand final and win it,” he said.

“This was a pretty special group, they may not have been the flashiest group, but what they were prepared to do on and off the field really shone through in finals, and that tough grand final.

“The coaching staff have done a lot of hard work to get the list where we want it, and we won a grand final with only two fly-ins, which is pretty unheard of.

“Everyone has indicated they will be coming back, and we’ve made it a really enjoyable place to play and train at, so it will just be about recruiting for positions we think we need to bolster.”