St Mary’s family club going strong

THE sense of family pride at “the family club” of St Mary’s is as strong as ever going into the 2020-21 NTFL season

St Mary’s are ready for the season ahead. Picture: Che Chorley

THE sense of family pride at “the family club” is as strong as ever going into the 2020-21 NTFL season.

That club, of course, is the Green Machine, formally known as St Mary’s.

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While their grand final conquerors of last season, Nightcliff Tigers, have recruited impressively, the Saints have looked to strengthen the plethora of talent they already have in their ranks.

That’s not to say they haven’t topped up their Premier League squad which came within just 13 points of beating Nightcliff in the 2019-20 grand final.

The NT News revealed Josh O’Brien, an NT Thunder Under-18 NEAFL representative who has played for North Ringwood in the Eastern Football League in Victoria and Northern Blues in the AFL Victoria Development League, as a key signing for this season.

O’Brien – who has endured two knee surgeries and a Grade 2 hamstring tear and is still only 22 – has impressed during pre-season training sessions at Moil Oval.

Raphael Clarke for St Mary’s.

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“They (the injuries) are tough. It changes your perspective and makes you realise footy is not everything,” he told the NT News.

“(But now) I’m keen to play at St Mary’s. I’ve got some mates here, and me coming here will freshen things up for me.

“I’m feeling good and excited to play at a high level.”

With a super competitive nature, it is no wonder O’Brien wants to raise the bar and bring his teammates along with him in the 2020-21 Premier League competition.

“I play half-back/flank, but I’d like to play through the middle in a pretty elite midfield this season,” O’Brien said.

Justin Cooper for St Mary’s. Picture: Glenn Campbell

O’Brien’s former North Ringwood teammate Liam Taylor will also bolster the Saints squad.

And in other good news for the Green Machine, stars Anthony Wilson, Jack Geary and Jackson Paine have signalled their interest in returning from down south this season, and are highly likely to play.

“And with my brother Ben (at South Fremantle Bulldogs in the WAFL) who knows, we might have a few guys from Perth who might want to come up,” Saints captain Shannon Rioli said.

Rioli said he was delighted to have O’Brien and fellow former Tiger, Harry Williams, on board.

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Williams has also been a standout at pre-season training.

“Harry is winning our running and fitness testing. He’s a pretty good specimen,” Rioli said. “No doubt he’ll lead the way for us, and not just come in and find his way.”

Ignatius Vallejo for St Mary’s.

Wilson’s speed will be a massive asset for the Green Machine again this season.

“Jackson Paine is (also) super keen, and he came up here a fair bit when he was at Redland in the NEAFL. And he was one of our better players last season,” Rioli said.

“Jack Geary is super keen to come back up.

“And Mike Manteit came up for a couple of games last season. He played at Southport and won a flag.

“He wants to play high-level footy – whether that’s getting drafted, or having a VFL, SANFL or WAFL career.”

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New St Mary’s women’s coaching director, Jarred Ilett, believes the future is also bright for his team.

“We’ve got some talented under-18 players coming through – J’Noemi Anderson, Jaimie Bryant, Charli Simmonds and Roslyn Starr are all ones to watch,” he said.