Newcomb’s Josh Saltalamacchia says four seasons with NT club Waratah has helped his game
As the 2-0 Newcomb disrupts the natural order of things in the BFNL, one of its most dangeorous players looks back on how four seasons in the Northern Territory has sharpened his game.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
With the match in the balance at Grinter Oval on Saturday against the reigning BFNL premier, a hard-tackling Newcomb unit showed the kind of maturity and belief it perhaps lacked in previous seasons to sit the Tigers back on their tails.
Leading by 16 points at the main break, it was a four-goals-to-one early third term barrage which gave Newcomb’s all-year-round footballer Josh Saltalamacchia the belief the Power might turn the corner in 2025.
It also helped that the son of Power premiership champion Adrian kicked two of them in a red hot minute as Newcomb’s lead extended to 28 points in pursuit of their first win over the Tigers since 2007.
On four occasions last BFNL season, the Power had led at half time – against quality opposition too in Torquay, Drysdale, the Ammos and Queenscliff – only to lose all of those fixtures.
“It was at that stage last year where we’d end up falling down in a lot of games, it just showed another level of maturity (on Saturday),” Saltalamacchia said of their previous premiership quarters.
“Hopefully that can be a common theme for the rest of the year now.”
Truth be told, the Power felt confident coming into the Round 2 clash having disposed of the Coutas and facing the defending champions without a host of their premiership stars.
“We sort of had that belief before the ball was thrown up, that this could be the day for us, we could do something special,” Saltalamacchia said.
While the Power recorded only two wins last year, the Geelong City cricketer said his teammates lent into those promising performances in 2024 against the top bracket: running Torquay and Drysdale to 11 and eight points respectively, while the Ammos won by a straight kick in Round 9.
“That just filled us with a lot of confidence going into this year,” he said.
‘We’re a younger team, another year of experience and we’ve brought in a couple of quality recruits as well.
“We felt as though we weren’t far off last year ... it was just being able to put sides to bed, and it seems like we’ve taken that next step now.”
With the Power recording 71 tackles to three quarter time on Saturday, Saltalamacchia said their pressure was “absolutely amazing” against the Tigers, following senior coach Tony Mirabella’s instructions to the letter.
“That was something that ‘Mira’ was real big on as a KPI for us to get the win, I’m glad we were able to follow through on that directive,” he said.
The Power have added some talent in forward Jacob Watson – seven senior games over the past four seasons – and young Territorian midfielder Oliver Poulson, who has played plenty of representative footy after a switch from rugby league.
Saltalamacchia played a role in diverting the youngster to Grinter Oval having played Premier footy with him at Waratah up in Darwin before some ankle issues derailed his 24-25 campaign.
“Ollie’s a ripper kid, got a heart of gold,” he said.
“I didn’t think he had any interest in leaving the NT, but as soon as I heard he was studying at Geelong, I reached out to ‘Mira’ and said: ‘mate, we’ve got to get a hold of this kid before anyone else in Geelong catches wind that he’s moving down’.
“He’s so raw with his talent, I don’t think he picked up footy until he was a little bit older, I think he was 13 or 14, switched across from rugby league.
“Hopefully we can have him for a couple of years now.”
Saltalamacchia, who switched from St Albans to play at his father Adrian’s old club at Newcomb ahead of the 2024 season, said he began travelling to the Top End since October, 2021 to better his game.
Former Supersaints teammates Steven Gunther and Damon Hemphill had spoken glowingly of the experience at Gardens Oval — one of the Territory’s most beautiful sporting locations.
“It was always a dream to do that,” he said.
“I had only played three senior games by that stage.
“I thought it would be a great opportunity to develop my football further,
“Out of juniors, I felt like I was lagging behind a lot of my peers.
“I just wanted to keep playing as much football as possible to turn myself into the player I knew I could be, and Waratah’s been a big part in being able to do that.”
Saltalamacchia is driven to have a strong BFNL season after missing out on finals with the Tahs, despite playing 15 senior games.
Meanwhile, the Power will now turn its attentions to Portarlington in what could be one of the games of the round.
More Coverage
Originally published as Newcomb’s Josh Saltalamacchia says four seasons with NT club Waratah has helped his game
‘Oh my god’: From track and field star to Geelong debutant
Seven years ago, there was “no limit” to what a Barwon Heads product could achieve in the world of track and field. Now, he’s set to make his AFL debut.
‘My legacy’: Community unites for Anzac parade, dawn services
The annual march down Malop St brought old friends and families together, while earlier this morning a crowd of 10,000 paid their respects in Torquay. SEE THE PHOTOS.