The resurrection of the Barkly Australian Football League’s Epenarra Saints
When a remote Northern Territory community fell out of their local footy competition, it seemed likely they would join a long list of bush clubs cast into exile. But after eleven years, the Epenarra is back on the field, showing Aussie Rules Football is a whole lot more than a game to this town.
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00:00It's a sight that was unseen for more than a decade.
00:05The Epinara Aussie Rules football team, the Saints, in training.
00:12Epinara, also known as Watunga, is one of the most isolated parts of the country, 200
00:18kilometres east of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory.
00:22It's isolation part of the reason why they dropped out of the local competition for 11
00:28years.
00:29This year, that's changed.
00:31I'm so keen to see them playing, especially young ones, and they're really happy.
00:37The Saints didn't start with much.
00:39They had to find money for new jerseys, a committee to run the club, and a new coach.
00:45Raymond Taylor has taken on the role of men's and women's coach.
00:49The amateur man says helping another First Nations community realise its footy dreams
00:54has been fulfilling.
00:56It's in my culture, it's in my blood, it's in my heritage, you know what I mean?
00:59And I always strive to try and help out as much as I can.
01:03The resurrection of the Saints includes its first ever women's team.
01:07Marsha Peterson became the first ever goal scorer, watched on by her parents.
01:12Yeah, they were so happy and proud of me.
01:16Some watching on remember playing for the Saints back in the day.
01:19Swim, swim, go to the pool.
01:22After 11 years, you know, to get back in the pool.
01:25And now, an old favourite can be sung once more.
01:28Go Martini!
01:29Oh, as the Saints go, Martini!