St Mary’s coach Anthony Vallejo says quality players want to come to the NTFL powerhouse, despite last year’s financial difficulties

ST Mary’s is continuing to attract star interstate talent to its Premier League squad, despite the financial difficulties it endured last year. This is how the Green Machine is doing it.

Youngster Harry Williams has impressed during pre-season training sessions at St Mary’s, after coming across from Nightcliff. Picture: KATRINA BRIDGEFORD

WHEN you consider the perilous financial position St Mary’s found itself at only midway through last year, it is remarkable it then finished only a few straight kicks away from winning the 2019-20 NTFL Grand Final.

Particularly when it picked up the dreaded wooden spoon the previous season.

So – with the club not being able to pay its players or afford the hefty $2000 quarantine bill for every individual who wishes to come to Marrara from COVID-ravaged Victoria for the upcoming 2020-21 campaign – how does it still manage to attract interest from down south?

The answer – according to coach Anthony Vallejo – is because it offers a unique “family” environment.

And that is why the NT News can reveal VFL representative player Josh O’Brien is keen to play for the Green Machine this upcoming Top End campaign.

“Josh is a Nightcliff junior, and has also played for Waratah,” Vallejo told the NT News.

“He can play half-back/wing and is a good size.”

Harry Williams is another key pick-up who has come across from the Tigers.

“I didn’t have to work hard on getting Harry. He approached me looking for a fresh start,” Vallejo said.

“He’s been really consistent for us in pre-season training sessions, and led from the front.

“He’s a local boy who played 14 Premier League games for Nightcliff two years ago and four last year.

“So he’s a zero-pointer who will be really good for us.”

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Murray Bushrangers representatives in the NAB League – Declan Everett and Liam Fiore – are other key signings for the Green Machine.

“They’re young and enthusiastic, and have been impressing AFL recruitment scouts down south,” Vallejo said.

Vallejo said his club continues to attract high-quality players because it has strong community values.

“The club did have some financial trouble, but we’ve worked really hard the past 12 months,” he said.

“Colemans Printing have been great sponsors. And the club helps our players find work and accommodation.

“Some players even offer a spare room if they have one.

“We don’t pay our players at Saints.

“We pride ourselves on being a family club. And while maybe there are some other clubs who could offer money, we offer something a bit different.

“Our boys like to take our new players out – and that could be exploring the Territory through some hunting, fishing or nightlife.”

Meanwhile, the phones have also been running hot at two-time reigning champions Nightcliff, as it continues to try and bolster its strong roster after signing Werribee VFL representative Tom Boyd, as revealed by the NT News.

Nightcliff star tall forward recruit Tom Boyd (right) with Werribee teammate Hudson Garoni. Picture: WERRIBEE FOOTBALL CLUB

“We’re getting plenty of enquiries from players down south, and our recruiting team is talking to any quality unlisted players right across the board,” Tigers president Mark Dodge said.

“We’ve been talking to players from (embattled VFL club) Northern Bullants and AFL Draft prospects now looking for an opportunity.

“It should be a stronger competition this season without fly-in fly-out players, and players looking to relocate up here.

“The financial difficulties (relocating to the Territory and paying a $2000 COVID two-week quarantine fee) have put some players off.

“But we’ve got a strong pool of local businesses and sponsors, so we’re very lucky.”

Also, when asked whether the Nightcliff club took any action on star defender Daniel Bowles, who was charged with damage to property and disorderly behaviour after his team’s 13-point over Saints in the grand final on March 14, Dodge said the matter had been dealt with.

“We have a process we follow when players get into strife, and we’ve dealt with that internally,” Dodge said.

Wodonga native Bowles stayed in Darwin over the off-season and has been playing Darwn & District cricket at C-grade level also at Nightcliff, alongside fellow defender and vice-captain Nathan Brown.

Dodge spoke glowingly about the Tigers’ leadership group for the 2020-21 season.

“Phillip Wills, Cam Ilett, Nathan Brown and also Shaun Wilson are good-quality guys,” Dodge said.

“And we’re pleased we have the right balance of indigenous and non-indigenous guys in that group.”

Wills said Ilett, 35, had been inspiring the Tigers’ younger generation with his efforts at pre-season training sessions at Dripstone Middle School.