Finals rivalry to play out at TIO Stadium between St Mary’s and Tiwi Bombers in qualifying final

ST MARY’S and the Tiwi Bombers were football cousins for more than 50 years before they were thrown into battle against each other in the early noughties.Fast forward 14 years and the relationship has moved on from family to fierce rivals, complete with the rough and tumble that comes with the desire to win.Tonight’s clash at TIO Stadium has everything wrapped up in it – bragging rights, cousin against cousin, and the right to meet Nightcliff in next week’s second semi-final.

Tiwi Bombers star Ross Tungatalum plays his 200th senior game against St Mary’s in tonight’s NTFL qualifying final. Picture: KERI MEGELUS

ST MARY’S and the Tiwi Bombers were football cousins for more than 50 years before they were thrown into battle against each other in the early noughties.

Fast forward 14 years and the relationship has moved on from family to fierce rivals, complete with the rough and tumble that comes with the desire to win.

Tonight’s qualifying final at TIO Stadium has everything wrapped up in it – bragging rights, cousin against cousin, and the right to meet Nightcliff in next week’s second semi-final.

St Mary’s coach Anthony Vallejo is more than aware of the Tiwis’ unpredictability and mood swings that can turn a game inside out in the blink of an eye.

“They kicked 10 goals against us in the first quarter when we played them in Round 3, so we know what they are capable of doing in a hurry,’’ Vallejo said.

“We’ve played them three times this year and won the last one, which was good coming into the finals and we’ve got our own strategies to maybe stop a bit of their run and skill.’’

In a twist, experienced Tiwis Ross Tungatalum and Austin Wonaeamirri play their 200th NTFL games after wearing Saints’ green and gold jumper in the past.

“We’re practically cousins, Saints welcomed the Tiwi players for many years and players like Rocco (Tungatalum) and Aussie (Wonaeamirri) have played junior and senior footy with us,’’ Vallejo said.

“We’ve got a good young side still with a Tiwi influence – Maurice Rioli Jr is one with his goalkicking and defensive tackling.

“Opportunities for our kids to play senior footy haven’t been there with the seniors so strong, but that’s changing with the amount of talent we’ve got.’’

Tiwi skipper Patrick Heenan wants his players to use their leg speed to advantage.

“They’ve got a lot of tall timber and if we can use our run a bit more, something they stopped the last time we played them,’’ Heenan said.

“We’ll have some big blokes out there as well in Lachy Howe, (Chris) Jones and Jack Monigatti all ready to go.’’