PREMIERSHIP number 33 could not have been more satisfying for St Mary’s on Saturday night. The Saints produced a ripping performance in the NTFL Men’s Premier League grand final over Waratah. After St Mary’s knocked out the ladder-leading Nightcliff Tigers last week, the second and third placed sides were the last two standing, with plenty of hype leading into the big dance, given the exciting brand of footy both teams have brought throughout their respective campaigns.

In a powerful display, St Mary’s were the better side, outplaying the Warriors and claiming a 35-point triumph to put their name as premiers for the season. While there were some nervous moments for the victors at the start of the match, the final three quarters were clinical as they rallied behind their star forward to kick away from an opposition that could not match the intensity.

St Mary’s were looking to lock the ball inside their half in the opening minutes of the game, with defender Kieren Parnell getting a few early touches, but they could not generate it into any sort of score. The Warriors began to attack shortly after, booting the first three majors of the match. St Mary’s answered with a late goal to key forward Jackson Calder, who finished a nice passage of play with some smooth ball meovement. Despite his efforts, Waratah led by two goals at the first break, and St Mary’s had plenty to do if they wanted to get control of the contest.

After a disappointing first term, St Mary’s started the second quarter in ideal fashion, booting a major in the opening minute of play, and constantly peppering the ball inside 50. Shaun Edwards tied up proceedings thanks to a bit of luck, given he received the ball off a possible throw and got a lucky bounce, but regardless, six points were added to the scoreboard, and St Mary’s were on the charge. The heat in the match went up a notch in the second half of the term, with plenty of physicality around the ground. Waratah kicked one against the flow, but it was answered almost immediately, dominating the centre clearance battle and keeping the ball in their half to add three more before half-time. The biggest highlight came from Joseph Salmon, who evaded three tacklers in traffic and snapped across his body from 35 out and slotted a ripping snag as his side took a 13-point lead into the main break.

Calder got things going for St Mary’s to open the second half, booting a set shot from nearly 50 out on quite a tough angle, displaying his class. They began to stretch their lead to an unreachable amount, booting five goals to one in the third as they got well on top of their opponents. The Warriors could not conjure a clearance or any promising ball movement, and found themselves trailing by 37 heading into the last.

The Warriors looked a slim chance of producing a fightback when Corey Rich kicked the first of the final term. However, they could not slow down the efforts of Calder, who laid a ripping tackle inside-50 and converted the snap around his body to keep his side in the best position possible. The Warriors tried to wrestle back control of the game, but time ended up being their biggest enemy, as Calder sealed the game with his fifth goal of the match to be named best afield in a cracking team win as St Mary’s held up the cup for the 2021/22 season.