Tiwi excitement machine Ross Tungatalum to line up with St Mary’s in the 2020 NTFL season
Tungatalum a Saint again after severing ties with rival club Tiwi Bombers
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LAST season’s NTFL runner-up St Mary’s got a big boost this week when multiskilled Tiwi islander Ross Tungatalum told the club he was coming home.
A premiership player with St Mary’s when he kicked the match sealing goal in the 2009-10 grand final — ironically against the Tiwis — Tungatalum’s change of pace, strong marking and big appetite for goals will be a big boost for the Saints.
Premier League coach Anthony Vallejo spoke to the former St Kilda listed player this week and was delighted to discover he wanted to return to his old club.
“We’re pretty happy we’re getting him back to the club where it all started for him and after speaking with Ross on Friday he’s happy to be coming home,’’ Vallejo told the NT News.
“Hopefully we can get him over from (Bathurst) Island for training in the next couple of weeks and get him up and going.
“I’ve been told he’s only going to be a two pointer with him being over 30 and coming back to his original club, unless the rules have changed.
“Then we’ll have to get some clarification on a few things, but we’re pretty confident that is the case and that he’ll be a Saints player this season.’’
Vallejo has a permanent forward pocket role in mind for Tungatalum, who has the ability to disassemble an opposition backline if in the right mood.
“We’re going to have a pretty good midfield again this year, so I’ll be pretty happy to keep Ross up forward with the regular supply he’ll be getting.
“Once he gets a bit of run in his legs he’ll be a big asset for us and the club is delighted he’s going to pull on a green jumper again.
“Early on someone will have to play on him deep and that can only be good for us.’’
Vallejo has hinted at some other big name additions to the Saints side one “a few loose ends’’ have been tied up.
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