ST MARY’S has punched its ticked to the 2026 NTFL Men’s Premier League Grand Final after a comprehensive 53-point win over Southern Districts in Saturday night’s preliminary final. The Saints will move on to face Nightcliff in the decider on Saturday in a replay of the 2024 edition.

After claiming this season’s minor premiership, the Crocs ultimately had their flag defence shattered in straight sets. They lost their two postseason bouts by an average margin of 51 points, as their side littered with former-AFL talent and the league’s leading goalkicker was strangled for scores.

In an ominous sign of things to come at TIO Stadium, the Green Machine hit full flight during the opening quarter despite battling soggy conditions. They piled on six goals to Southern Districts’ one to lay the platform for a one-sided outcome, looking every bit a bonafide premiership contender.

While the Saints were held goalless for the next two terms, adding 10 behinds in that time, Southern Districts could only scrounge a single major in response. The floodgates opened back up come term four as St Mary’s romped to victory with a further six goals in the 12.14 (86) to 5.3 (33) result.

Returning for his first game in a month, Connor West was named best afield for St Mary’s. The ex-West Coast midfielder amassed 24 disposals, seven inside 50s and two goals, with only teammate Jackson Braunthal (27 disposals, one goal) winning more ball on the night.

Saints captain and now three-time Nichols Medal winner Dylan Landt was again exceptional, booting two goals from his 23 touches. Brother Jack snared three majors, including two in the final quarter, to maintain scoreboard pressure. Dylan Barry was the Crocs’ only multiple goalkicker.

St Mary’s steadfast defence, led by Kieren Parnell, won plenty of plaudits for what was an impressive shutout of the typically potent, albeit undermanned Crocs. Southern Districts went in without midfielders Matt Johnston and Matt Shannon, before losing Quinton Narkle (shoulder) in the first half.

Nonetheless, St Mary’s earned entry to its 55th Grand Final appearance in the NT’s top flight. The Saints were made to lean on their double chance having finished the home-and-away season in second, and will face the red-hot Nightcliff who won their qualifying final clash by 23 points.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 1.3 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 5.3 (33)
ST MARY’S 6.2 | 6.7 | 6.12 | 12.14 (86)

GOALS:
Southern Districts: D. Barry 2, N. Brooking, J. Ross, T. Thomas
St Mary’s: J. Landt 3, D. Landt 2, E. Amery, T. Dewsbury, C. West, N. Yarran, T. Kent, X. Vallejo, N. Paredes

BEST:
Southern Districts: C. Giddings, J. Johnston, M. Dennis, J. Farrer, M. Bidmade, J. Anderson
St Mary’s: C. West, D. Landt, J. Smithson, X. Vallejo, K. Parnell, T. Dewsbury

GRAND FINAL

Nightcliff vs. St Mary’s
Saturday March 14, 6:45pm @ TIO Stadium