St Mary’s strike early in the awards game after Dylan Landt is named player of the year

Another St Mary’s win in NTFL individual awards with utility Dylan Landt claiming the player of the year trophy

St Mary's footballer Dylan Landt is the 20-21 NT News-De Silva Hebron player of the year. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

ST Mary’s utility Dylan Landt has won the $1000 2020-21 NT News-De Silva Hebron player of the year award.

The 21-year-old from Sunbury in Victoria won the award by two votes from Nightcliff’s Brodie Filo.

His ability to find the football in defence or through the midfield and use it well has been an important part of St Mary’s run to the finals.

“It was a bit surprising to win it, the boys at training like to fill me in with how many votes I’ve got in the paper,’’ ’ Landt told the NT News.

.”I knew I was around the mark and to win it is great.

“It’s not something I’ve played for, but it’s always good to get some recognition for your efforts.’’

Landt and his goalkicking brother Jack made the trip north in October after the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the southern season.

“It was something I was thinking about during the year after expecting to play in the VFL with Essendon again,’’ he said.

“Six months into the lockdown I’d had enough of work and not playing footy and playing in Darwin seemed like a good idea.

“St Mary’s have welcomed myself and my brother, they’re beautiful people who have made us feel at home.’’

Landt was reminded of Territory football’s speed in his first game as a Saint.

“It’s definitely quick and a lot faster than the style we play back home,’’ he said.

“I was probably a bit quiet in the first few rounds while I got used to the way the ball moves up here.

“Early on I played off a back flank after thinking it would be the best spot to use my run and carry and set up the play.

“The last three or four weeks I’ve spent most of my time in the midfield in an attempt to get up the ground a bit more and it’s been OK.’’

Landt grinned when asked where he preferred to play.

“I’m still trying to figure that out, is down back, in the middle or up forward the right spot for me?,’’ he laughed.

Even his haircuts have been different, ranging from long and brown, to crewcut blonde and back to brown.

So how far can the 20-21 St Mary’s model go?

“I think we can go all the way, we’ve definitely got the team for it and we’re starting to play some of our best footy, right now,’’ Landt said..

“Nightcliff is the favourite and they beat us last year, so we’ve got something on them as we try to take the crown off them this year.’’

Landt knows several players from the 2019-20 grand final loss are still hurting from that result.

“They are still stinging from it and even though I didn’t play in that grand final, I’m definitely looking forward to the finals,’’ he said.

In a twist, Landt will make the trek to Adelaide after the NTFL season to pull on a black and yellow jumper.

SANFL club Glenelg have come calling and Landt cannot wait to get away from Melbourne’s COVID problems to kick a football.