St Mary’s president Adrian Moscheni says disciplinary issues and off-field failings will be addressed ahead of the new season

St Mary’s president Adrian Moscheni pointed to a losing grand final appearance in one of the great NTFL premiership deciders as proof his club has the mental strength to put off-field problems behind them

St Mary’s president Adrian Moscheni pointed to his sides perfromance in a losing grand final as proof they could put off field issues behind them. Photograph: Che Chorley

ADRIAN Moscheni says a more structured administration and a determination to put things right off the field will see a more efficient St Mary’s in the 2021-22 NTFL season.

A $10,000 fine for breaching player fly-in rules, a big debt, a walk off by their Division 2 side, coaching suspensions and umpire abuse by a junior coach all added up to an “Annus Horribilis’’ NTFL season for the 69-year-old club.

MORE NT SPORT STORIES

Under siege St Mary’s confident a bank loan and monthly repayments will clear their debt

Shannon Motlop quits Wanderers after disagreements on the length of his new coaching contract

Two-time grand final coach Anthony Vallejo retained as St Mary’s coach for 21-22

But the Saints president stayed away from questioning his club’s culture, focusing on the club’s off-field operations that he said had been found a “bit wanting’’.

“We had a few things go wrong and it was not an easy year off the field where we had a few disciplinary issues happening,’’ he said.

“We had a bit of confusion in certain circumstances, but at the end of the day we were heavily penalised and we just had to take it on the chin.

“We’re all volunteers, so there was no pointing the finger at anyone.

“I can’t really put my finger on why, but I think without being disrespectful to past administrations, we got a bit thin on the ground with our committees.

“And from that the job of running the (sports and social) club as well as our football department was unfortunately found a bit wanting.’’

Moscheni said the 32-time NTFL premier had been through some horrible periods before and only three seasons ago had picked up its first wooden spoon.

In a tremendous response from the players, St Mary’s played their way into probably the greatest grand final ever played when they lost an extra time game to Nightcliff.

They led by three goals with four minutes left and should have won the game against all the odds.

“To go from there to two losing back-to-back grand finals is pretty amazing,’’ Moscheni said.

“Particularly when you know you’re short on the ground with your administration, numbers on the committee and all that sort of important stuff,’’ he added.

“I think our club is quite unique in that when you become president of St Mary’s, it’s not just the football, it’s the sporting and social club you take charge of as well.

“We’ve had a real difficult time finding the right executive who have the knowledge of football as well as business.

“I succeeded Vic Ludwig who was in the chair for (42) years and even he struggled with the introduction of GST in 2000, together with his executive of the day.’’