Saints stars Jackson Calder and Tylah Saunders say Greg ‘Fruity’ Summers is one of many volunteers who will help get the NTFL club back on track

IT can be argued that never before in the storied history of St Mary’s Football Club has there been more of an importance placed on the selfless work of its many volunteers.And there’s one man who always comes to mind when players discuss the many selfless people involved at their club.

St Mary’s players pictured gathering and motivating each other before their 2020-21 NTFL Men's Preliminary Final against Wanderers last Saturday night. The Saints won by 27 points, an incredible result given the turmoil the club went through in the week leading up to the game. Picture: Glenn Campbell

IT can be argued that never before in the storied history of St Mary’s Football Club has there been more of an importance placed on the selfless work of its many volunteers.

It has been well documented how much of a hit the Saints took last week, after the AFLNT walloped the club with a total $11,500 fine for player fly-in rule breaches.

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The players in the men’s Premier League team will also feel the effects of the club’s miscalculation next season when they start their 2021-22 campaign four competition points behind every other opposition outfit.

But help and support has never been far away at the Saints, one of Australia’s premier community football clubs with 32 NTFL flags to its name.

Greg ‘Fruity’ Summers is one of the many selfless men – there is no shortage of women, too – involved at the Marrara club, all of which have given up countless hours of their time in good and bad times.

And there’s no way Summers would give up on his beloved St Mary’s now in its time of need.

“Fruity goes to all the junior games, then he comes to our games and helps out,” Saints defender Tylah Saunders told the NT News.

“You want to win for these types of people.”

Star St Mary’s forward Jackson Calder echoed Saunders’ thoughts.

Saints forward Jackson Calder celebrates one of his seven goals during his team’s 27-point win over Wanderers in the 2020-21 NTFL Men's Preliminary Final last Saturday night. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“Fruity’s at every training session before the players, and then he organises ice baths and recovery afterwards,” Calder said.

“We have so many amazing volunteers who helps make this an amazing club.

“They’re unbelievable.”

Calder - who kicked seven goals in Saints’ stunning 27-point win over Wanderers in the preliminary final last Saturday night - said his teammates made a vow not to disappoint their volunteers and fans after a shattering week.

“There was stuff said in the media, but we just used that as motivation,” he said.

“The boys showed plenty of character.

“Good teamwork up the ground put me in good one-on-one situations and set me up (to kick his seven goals).”