Durable St Mary’s defender Tylah Saunders believes a bit of lighthearted poetry put his team in the mood for a highly-emotional win over Wanderers in NTFL preliminary final at TIO Stadium
EMOTIONS ran high in the St Mary’s camp before the side’s stunning 27-point win over Wanderers last Saturday, following one of the most turbulent weeks in the club’s history. But hard-nut defender Tylah Saunders said a funny poem before play put his teammates in the mood for battle.
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ST Mary’s defender Tylah Saunders is well known for his physical brand of football, and teammates clearly followed his lead in the Green Machine’s hugely impressive 27-point win over Wanderers in last Saturday’s preliminary final.
It was a performance which will long be remembered at the proud Marrara club, with all 22 players stepping up after one of the most turbulent weeks in Saints history.
Emotions were high.
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But there was also a moment of humour before the game which helped the Greens record such a memorable victory.
“Dylan Landt wrote us a poem and read it out – it was funny and lighthearted, and it helped to galvanise the boys a bit more,” Saunders told the NT News.
Of course, Saunders was referring to his club being hit by the AFLNT with a stunning $11,500 total fine, with four competition points docked from the start of the 2021-22 season.
That was because the proud club – with 32 NTFL flags to its name – breached the competition’s player fly-in rules, which created massive headlines leading in to the grand final-qualifier.
But, much like Saunders’ take-no-prisoners style at the back of the park, he believes Saints play their best football when they have their critics.
“We’ve got fantastic blokes in this team and we all got around each other last week,” Saunders said.
“It was unreal, but that’s what St Mary’s has always been about. It’s always been Saints versus the rest.
“We’ve got a really strong group, and we played team-first footy against Wanderers.
“Everything clicked for us on the night.”
Saunders said he would relish another massive challenge in the 2020-21 NTFL Grand Final – attempting to nullify a potent Nightcliff forward line.
He will likely be tasked with shutting down fellow physical forward and 2019-20 Chaney Medal winner Trent Melville, who’s had an impressive season with 30 goals to his name.
It is a match-up the former Angaston (Barossa Light and Gawler Football Association) and Glenelg (SANFL) star will welcome.
“I always love a challenge, and I’m always trying to be the best player I can be,” Saunders said.
“I try to play a physical game. That’s the sort of role I’ve always tried to play over my career.
“It helps when you’ve got someone like Raph Clarke beside you. He’ll always go back with the flight of the ball.
“It’s going to be a massive game, especially after everything that’s happened.
“I think the game will be won in the midfield. They’ve got four Nichols Medal winners (Brodie Filo, Phillip Wills and Dom Brew in the midfield, and Cam Ilett who can play anywhere).
“And we’ve got a really strong midfield group as well, with Jackson Calder (seven goals against Wanderers) on fire up front.”
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