St Mary’s Football Club has confirmed that Anthony Vallejo will remain as head coach for an eighth consecutive season as the team aims to rebound from last season’s grand final loss. Vallejo, who assumed the position ahead of the 2019-20 Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) season following the club’s only wooden spoon finish, has led St Mary’s to two premierships in six grand final appearances during his tenure.
Vallejo is pursuing the club’s all-time coaching record held by John Taylor, who secured 11 premierships over 13 seasons. Reflecting on his ongoing role, Vallejo described coaching St Mary’s as a significant honour rooted in the club’s rich history. “I’ll keep doing it as long as the club wants me,” he said, noting the enjoyment he finds in the role and the strong connections formed within and beyond the club.
Last season, St Mary’s reached the grand final for the 55th time in the club’s history but fell short against Nightcliff. Despite the defeat, Vallejo highlighted positive developments, including the rise of his son, Xavier Vallejo, as a leading small forward. Xavier’s progress epitomizes St Mary’s commitment to developing local talent through its junior pathways, with several under-18 players gaining senior experience last year.
Vallejo expressed satisfaction with the depth of emerging players, stating that five under-18 athletes contributed significantly in the previous season and are expected to play larger roles ahead. “We’re a club that prides ourselves on local talent,” he said. “We don’t throw the chequebook out to fly in a load of players every week and have been lucky enough to play in six of the past seven finals.”
Looking ahead, the club anticipates the return of premier goal kicker Jackson Calder, who missed most of the 2025-26 season due to a knee injury. Calder’s contributions extend beyond scoring, playing a vital role within the leadership group alongside captain Dylan Landt, a three-time Nichols Medalist, and defender Kieren Parnell. Their continued presence is seen as crucial to the team’s ambitions in the upcoming season.
This year will also see notable changes in the NTFL, including the introduction of the Banks Bulldogs to the competition. Vallejo welcomed the expansion, anticipating renewed rivalries and hoping the league adopts an 18-game season without byes to maintain competitive balance.
Meanwhile, St Mary’s has yet to appoint a coach for its women’s premiership team following the departure of Ryan Smith, who led the side to a premiership in the 2024-25 season. The decision on the new appointment remains pending as the club prepares for the next campaign.