St Mary’s finds attacking mojo in dominant win over Watsonia
30 April 2023 – Diamond Valley Leader
“The second quarter was as good a footy as I’ve seen a St Mary’s team play since I’ve been at the club. We got on top in the stoppages and clearances and used the ball really well and Nick Dean was on fire, he was marking everything. It helps when you’ve got Jack Bianchin and Tane Cotter in there winning clearances and Rory Hanlon, after not playing the first two rounds, made a big difference too,” said coach Fabian Carelli.
Every NFNL Division 2 club’s in and outs, key players, and 2023 predictions
5 April 2023 – Diamond Valley Leader
The club has improved every season, going from six wins in 2019 to seven in a 12-game 2021 season to eight last year. Can they make the jump into the top-five this season? If they do it will be even more impressive with the level of competition.
St Mary’s to draw motivation from dramatic end to 2022 season
12 March, 2023 – Diamond Valley Leader
Fab Carelli is confident the natural improvement in his young squad, combined with some quality recruits, will see the club back in the hunt for a maiden Division 2 finals berth.
The Burra has secured Jack Bianchin from Division 1 club Macleod as well as Jeremiah Antypas and Adrian Bonato from VAFA Premier C club Marcellin.
Northern League signings ramp up
Friday 25 November 2022 – Whittlesea Leader
St Mary’s has confirmed former junior Jeremiah Antypas is returning to the club next season. Antypas will play for the Burra once again after a stint with Marcellin Old Collegians in the VAFA.
“He is a skilled midfielder and known for his kick which has seen him score 217 goals across 126 senior games, and made VAFA team of the year twice,” St Mary’s said in a social media post.
Players find new homes across the competition
Wednesday 2 November 2022 – Heidelberg Leader
St Mary’s has started its pursuit of finals footy early with the signing of Jack Bianchin for the 2023 season. Bianchin is a former St Mary’s junior who is set to return to the club after a stint with Division 1 outfit Macleod.
“Jack will bring lots of skills to support our younger players, and play a big role in helping them develop,” the club said.
TAC and AFL Victoria Road Safety Round
15 July 2022 – TAC Victoria
This weekend for the TAC and AFL Victoria Road Safety Round thousands of Victorians are wearing their support for road safety. Everyone has someone to drive safely for. So, who are you wearing your blue armband for? Hear why some of the St Mary’s players are wearing their armbands.
Clubs make their mark ahead of Sir Douglas Nicholls Round
8 July 2022 – NFNL
These jumpers have been designed by Alicia Arden in collaboration with her sister Julie and players Cheryle Arden and Judhil Canendo. They’ll be worn by the St Mary’s senior women’s side.
The water line running through the centre of the jumper represent the Plenty River which surrounds Whatmough Park. The footprints in the ‘V’ represent the players with the symbol at the bottom of the jumper representing the field of play with symbols of players and staff in that field.
Burra bank crucial win
19 June 2022 – NFNL
St Mary’s have asserted themselves as a genuine MC Labour Division 2 finals contender after producing a 15-point win over Watsonia at Whatmough Park.
Rory Hanlon was superb in midfield, combining well with ruckman Bailey Leonard to create plenty of clearances for the home side. They also impressed inside 50, kicking three majors between them.
In his second senior game of the season, Jack Cicitta was a livewire up forward, kicking three goals in the space of 10 minutes to begin the Burra’s surge in the second term.
High-flying Burras plot historic season
3 May 2022 – Diamond Valley Leader
St Mary’s coach Fabian Carelli hoped the early-season form would give his team the platform to challenge the established hierarchy.
Bailey Leonard, Daniel Castagnini and Riley O’Sullivan have stood up. Castagnini was best-on-ground in the win over Panton Hill, while O’Sullivan has booted five goals in his past two games. St Mary’s have also recruited strongly, bringing in Vincent Loccisano from Montmorency, Simon and Tom Carafa (Eltham) and O’Sullivan (Macleod).
“Vinny has fitted into the group really well, the Carafa brothers from Eltham have been exceptional and we picked up Riley O’Sullivan from Macleod juniors,” Carelli said.
“Riley’s been playing predominantly on the wing but we send him deep forward occasionally because he can take a strong mark.
“We’ve still pushed up some 19s this year, Cooper Bruce, Lachie Read and Bailey Leonard has returned as well to boost our ruck stocks.
Burra hold on in tight contest
2 May 2022 – NFNL
St Mary’s 1 have opened their NFNL winter netball season in thrilling style, clinging on to a three-goal victory over Hazel Glen 1 at RMIT University.
Who’s Coaching who in 2022? We look at the Northern League’s new faces 9 November 2021 – Preston Leader
Fabian Carelli – The Burra finished sixth but were only outside the top five on percentage after a seven-win campaign. St Mary’s had a good early-season win over Thomastown but were able to challenge a top-five team for the rest of the season. Entering his third season in charge, Carelli has the young talent – most notably Tane Cotter and Rory Hanlon – at his disposal to turn his team into a finals contender.
We name 2021’s top 25 players in Northern Football League Division 2 21 September 2021 – Diamond Valley Leader
Tane Cotter – A breakout campaign for the Burras forward, who was still playing predominantly under-19s in 2019. Cotter booted 28 majors – joint third in the competition – in 11 appearances. He wasn’t held goalless once this season and had at least two goals in eight matches with a season-high five in the last-start win over Fitzroy Stars.
Nick Dean – The Burras’ reigning best-and-fairest picked up where he left off from 2019. Earnt six mentions in the best in 10 games and showcased his ability to his the scoreboard from midfield with 15 goals.
We name the Victorian Metro Leagues best under 21 football players 12 August 2021 – The Leader
Rory Hanlon – Made his debut back in 2017 and is now one of St Mary’s coach Fabian Carelli’s first picked. Mixing his time between centre half-forward and the ruck, Hanlon is one of the best young talents in NFL Division 2 having kicked 13 goals in 12 games and earned a nod in the best on five occasions.
Tane Cotter – Has been banging in the goals for St Mary’s this season, sitting equal third in NFL Division 2 with 28 majors despite missing one game. That includes a haul of four against premiership favourite Banyule. The Burras’ production line continues to develop impressive young talent.
St Mary’s stun Thomastown in NFL Division 2 upset of the year contender 20 April 2021 – Diamond Valley Leader
St Mary’s produced an early contender for upset of the Northern Football League season on Saturday, thumping Thomastown by 41 points.
“A couple of us spoke after the game and we thought if we’re talking about consistency, a good brand of four-quarter footy, that would have to be our best win in Division 2 by far,” Carelli said.
St Mary’s impressive debut NFL Division 2 season claims Diamond Creek scalp 19 August 2019 – Diamond Valley Leader
St Mary’s impressive debut NFL Division 2 season claimed continued as the Burra’s stunning upset put an end to Diamond Creek’s season and earned coach Fabian Carelli a new contract.
St Mary’s produces second straight upset win, knocking off NFL Division 2 finals contender Thomastown 7 July 2019 – Diamond Valley Leader
St Mary’s backed up its upset win over Banyule with another sensational performance on Saturday. The Burra knocked off Thomastown by 13 points, giving them the scalps of two NFL Division 2 premiership contenders in consecutive weeks.
After ending Banyule’s unbeaten start to the season, St Mary’s coach Fabian Carelli challenged his players not to rest on their laurels. “The message we got back from outsiders looking in, it was the loss Banyule had to have and we were a one-hit wonder,” he said.“I said to the boys it’s an indictment on people thinking that and we don’t want to be known as a one-hit wonder and then lose the next game.
NFNL Podcast 3 July 2019
St Mary’s coach Fab Carelli joins the podcast following his side’s upset win over Division 2 ladder-leader Banyule.
St Mary’s claims its inaugural NFL Division 2 victory after overpowering Epping on Saturday 13 May 2019 – Diamond Valley Leader
Newly promoted St Mary’s is on the board in 2019 after claiming its maiden NFL Division 2 victory on Saturday, overpowering Epping at Whatmough Park to move off the bottom of the ladder.
Burra coach Fabian Carelli said his team had improved each week and the win gave the players confidence they belonged at the higher level.
St Mary’s claims biggest upset of the Northern Football League season by defeating Banyule 30 June 2019 – Diamond Valley Leader
St Mary’s avenged an 111-point loss and ended Banyule’s undefeated start to the NFL Division 2 season with a dominant performance in difficult conditions at Whatmough Park.
Coach Fabian Carelli praised his players’ bravery and attack on the ball in slippery conditions.
St Mary’s to use two-year window to establish itself as Division 2 contender 20 February 2019 – Diamond Valley Leader
St Mary’s could not have timed its promotion any better. The Burra will have two years to consolidate themselves in Northern Football League Division 2 after claiming their maiden senior premiership last year. St Mary’s coach Fabian Carelli said the two-year window would give the club a perfect opportunity to consolidate itself in the higher division.
St Mary’s confident of successful jump to Division 2 after historic premiership win 4 December 2018 – Diamond Valley Leader
St Mary’s has resisted the temptation to bolster its list with recruits as it prepares for the jump in class to Northern Football League Division 2.
The Burra were the standout club in the NFL third tier last season, claiming seniors and reserves premierships to underline their superiority.
Coach Fab Carelli has pledged to give the players involved in that success an opportunity to prove themselves and consolidate the club in Division 2 next year.
St Mary’s skipper Dillan Ronalds enjoys spoils of success 13 September 2018 – Diamond Valley Leader
Skipper Dillan Ronalds says leading St Mary’s to a historic Northern Football League premiership “means absolutely everything”.
Ronalds has long been considered one of the prime movers in the NFL’s third tier, featuring for the Burra in five of the past seven seasons.
Myles Guldon named best afield as St Mary’s claims Division 3 premiership 8 September 2018 – Diamond Valley Leader
St Mary’s grand final hero Myles Guldon was in doubt on Friday, forced to leave work early and spend the afternoon in bed as he battled an illness which has plagued him throughout the week.
Less than 24 hours after he was struggling to take the field, Guldon was adjudged best on ground in St Mary’s maiden senior premiership victory
St Mary’s earns breakthrough finals win over Panton Hill to progress to grand final 27 August 2018 – Diamond Valley Leader
St Mary’s has declared it is primed to make the leap to Northern Football League Division 2 after progressing to the third tier grand final with a convincing semi-final win over Panton Hill. The Burra were the dominant team throughout the home-and-away season, finishing four matches clear at the top of the ladder.
St Mary’s out to prime itself for breakthrough Division 3 finals win under coach Fabian Carelli 31 July 2018 – Diamond Valley Leader
Flag favourite St Mary’s will spend the run home preparing itself for the added pressure of finals as it looks to claim a breakthrough victory on the big stage.
The Burra have established an unassailable buffer at the top of the Northern Football League Division 3 ladder after winning their past nine matches.
St Mary’s puts footy first in pre-season as Fabian Carelli makes his mark as coach 15 February 2018 – Diamond Valley Leader
New St Mary’s coach Fabian Carelli hopes a “footy-centric” pre-season will have the club primed to build on consecutive finals appearances.
“I think there’s a good crop of under-17 kids coming through that will join the senior ranks this year as well as the recruits that we have picked up,” Carelli said.
Youth appeals to new St Mary’s NFL Coach Fabian Carelli 18 October 2017 – Diamond Valley Leader
Carelli has signed on as senior coach of the Northern Football League Division 3 club for two seasons after a two-year stint at the helm of St Albans in the Western Region league. The former Collingwood under-19s captain said the timing was right to move a little closer to his home in Reservoir.
“You’ve got a really young club here that’s making its way with a really young list so that was part of the attraction,” Carelli said. “I feel I’ve got a real affinity with coaching young players and developing young lists so hopefully I can help take this club to the next level.”
Burra defend title 20 September 2017 – NFNL
St Mary’s became the first back-to-back Division 3 reserves premiers, overhauling a three-goal deficit to edge Banyule by seven points in the decider.
James Girolami was the man for the occasion in the last quarter, kicking two more goals to single-handedly bring the Burra right back into the game. His work lifted his Burra teammates, who pushed for a winning goal.
Lachlan Potter put through a behind to give them the lead with minutes to go, before a big mark and goal to Patrick Waldron gave the Burra a seven-point lead which they would not relinquish.
On the right track 19 January 2015 – NFNL
The highlight was the Burra’s under-19s taking out the Division 2 premiership, giving the club its first football premiership since joining the Northern Football League six years ago.
SMFNC 