The Northern Territory news Thu 5 Oct 2017
NT news
The Northern Territory news; NewspaperNT
2017-10-05
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Community newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin; Australian newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin
News Corp Australia
Darwin
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News Corp Australia
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/280121
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/417037
06 NT NEWS / SUNDAY TERRITORIAN, Thursday, October 5, 2017 NTNE01Z01FC - V1 SEASON FIXTURES Saints see big changes THREE premierships and a losing grand final in four seasons of coaching at Premier League level is a resume any coach would be proud of. But for fifth year St Marys coach Rick Nolan, the ultimate success is why you play the game. Along with that comes high expectations from fans and sponsors of the 32-time Premier League champions, something Nolan has coped with in his days as a player and coach. Its just part of the footy club and something were used to every season, he told the NT News. Its been going on for 53 years where everyone expects us to make the finals and it will go on for a lot longer, so its something weve become accustomed to. The St Marys side that runs out for Round 1 against Nightcliff will have a very different look about it. Premiership captain Peter MacFarlane, NTFL games record holder Iggy Vallejo, midfielders Justin Wilson and Karl Lohde, defender John Anstess and utility Henry Labastida all announced their retirements after the grand final win over Wanderers in March. And Cameron Iletts move to Nightcliff after six flags, a league best and fairest and a best on ground medal in last years grand final has left gaps Nolan will have to fill. But he remains optimistic Anstess, Vallejo and Labastida will change their mind and turn out again for what will be an inexperienced Saints side. Theyve done the whole pre-season and though I havent had a chat to them yet, the Thursday night before the first game Ill ask them what they are doing, Nolan said. I think Anstess will definitely play and Iggy and Labba Ill find out about next week. Weve lost a few in Lohde, Noodles (MacFarlane) and Wilson, along with Cameron Ilett of course and Jack Williams is down south. People havent spoken about him a lot, but I dont think hell play after getting a job with Richmond at their indigenous college. The new fly-in rule (resi GREY MORRIS dent of Darwin from October 1) will make it tough to get him back, so a lot of people are expecting us to fall away a bit. Nolan said Saints had a few coming through, like 17year-old Denny and 16-yearold Mitch Musgrove, with Jimmy McMurtrie and Dillon Grills other juniors he hopes will shoulder more responsibility. All of them have been doing pre-season and hopefully most of them will play some senior footy this year, he added. Asked if the Saints of 2017 were ready to pursue a 33rd flag, Nolan said the retirements and new rules placed on fly-in players made it a wait and see scenario. There is a little bit of mystery with the retirements and the new rules, you just dont know where we are, he said. From last Saturday you virtually cant recruit anymore, so its certainly going to be a different feeling, which makes our opening round game against Nightcliff, with Cameron Ilett on the other side, pretty interesting. Nolan returns to steer ship THE St Marys coaching panel will have a familiar feel about it this season, with Rick Nolan in his fifth season at the helm. But while Nolan and his assistants Andrew Wills the former Geelong, Fremantle and Western Bulldogs utility and Stuart Davis are there again, eight-time premiership forward Peter MacFarlane will also be there to lend a hand. Willsy, Josh Heath and Stuart Davis are on the panel and Im always grateful for having them on board, Nolan said. I cant believe Josh hasnt been picked up by a league club, hes a very good operator I reckon and hell be in charge of the Division One side again. Watch this space Josh will be coaching a Premier League club sooner rather than later. Nolan and his brains trust will have their work cut out in Saturdays season opener against a Nightcliff side chockfull of talent. Former Saint Cameron Ilett, ex-Buffalo Phillip Wills and the hAilpn brothers add up to a formidable Tiger side. There will be a lot of interest in the game, even if our Thunder blokes wont be there, Nolan said. But I reckon theres more of a chance of Darren Ewing staying than going, though if he stays he wont play until December I wouldnt think. Weve always known theyll (Thunder players) be rested until theyre ready to go and that cuts a lot of blokes out of the game.like the Rioli brothers and Mikey Coombes. Ins: Nicko Mende (Healesville). Outs: Peter MacFarlane, Justin Wilson, Karl Lohde, Henry Labastida (retired). Jack Williams, Trent Storer. INS AND OUTS St Mary's coach Rick Nolan is entering his fifth season in charge Picture: GREY MORRIS ST MARYS SAINTS JOINED LEAGUE: 1952-53. NICKNAME: Saints. HOME GROUND: TIO Stadium. COACH: Rick Nolan. CAPTAIN: TBC. PRESIDENT: Steve Ludwig. PREMIERSHIPS: 32 NICHOLS MEDALISTS (23): B Roe (1954-55), N Davies (55-56), T Lew Fatt (58-59), Gympie Lew Fatt (64-65), John Pepperill (69-70), Pat Murphy (7172), Pat Murphy (72-73), Michael Graham (73-74), Bill Bennett (77-78), Steve Thomson (84-85), Damian Christensen (85-86), Willie Rioli (88-89), Michael Athanasiou (90-91), Noel Long (92-93), Marty Christensen, Cyril Rioli Jr (95-96), Tommy Weetra (98-99), Jarred Ilett (0405), Heath Culpitt (05-06), Jared Ilett (07-08), Iggy Vallejo (08-09), Peter MacFarlane (13-14), Cameron Ilett (15-16). 201617 FINISH: Premiers. 201617 BEST AND FAIREST: Nathaniel Paredes. 2016-17 LEADING GOALKICKER: Peter MacFarlane (55). ST MARYS president Steven Ludwig says its Nightcliff versus the rest in the race for the 2017-18 Premier League flag. Ludwigs Saints sit at the top of the premiership tree after easily accounting for Wanderers in the fourth successive Premier League grand final between the two clubs. Nightcliff are way out in front after the recruiting theyve done, but well be competitive in what will be a very close competition, Ludwig said. Were going to see a lot of improvement from some of the other sides. Ludwig said that he was looking for a broader measure of success across all the grades at St Marys this season. TEAM INFO TEAM SPEAK