LAST weekend’s return of the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Women’s competition saw the elite teams put their foot down. Southern Districts was the first, demolishing the Wanderers. The Crocs’ score of behinds again outweighed their goals, but the Eagles were never in the game. Darwin was the next heavyweight to crush the bottom of the ladder Tigers. Nightcliff’s underwhelming season continued as the Buffettes have finals in their sights. Waratah got a shock from St Marys in the last quarter when a depleted Warriors bench saw a late surge from the Saints. Waratah, however, withstood the Saints’ charge to walk away eight-point victors. On Sunday, Pint took apart the Razorbacks with little difficulty. The Queen Ants have got their hunger back for the game, and with this victory they find themselves sitting in third place.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 1.1 I 1.3 I 2.4 I 4.9 (33)
WANDERERS 0.0 I 0.0 I 0.0 I 0.3 (3)

Even though the Southern Districts beat the Eagles by 33 points, it took a while for the Crocs to shake off their holiday rust. Only two goals were scored through three quarters of football. It was only in the last term that fans saw the Crocs click into gear. The run of Ebony Miller and Lateesha Jeffrey stood out as well as Indy Sleeth‘s skill in the ruck. Tahlia Holtze had a quiet day but managed to hit the scoreboard, but Maria Moussa was the clear standout in this match. The Southern Districts now have the bye this weekend. Maybe a fortnight will give the Crocs a chance to wake up.

GOALS:

Southern Districts: T. Holtze, M. Moussa, E. Miller, J. D’Arcy.
Wanderers: Not supplied.

BEST:

Southern Districts: M. Moussa, E. Miller, L. Jeffrey, I. Sleeth, R. McHugh
Wanderers: Not supplied

NIGHTCLIFF 0.0 I 0.3 I 0.3 I 0.3 (3)
DARWIN BUFFETTES 1.3 I 2.4 I 4.9 I 6.13 (49)

It was business as usual for the Buffettes as they continue a strong run home. Jemma Iacono found another gear, while Machaelia Roberts ran circles around the Tigerss. The Buffettes’ only flaw in this game was their lack of goals. An inaccurate Darwin saw Celina Whan being the only multiple goal scorer with a total of two majors. All other dangerous forwards were reduced to single majors. The tally against Nightcliff may still be a whopping 46 points, but the chance to further increase Darwin’s percentage was squandered. However, the Buffs will have another opportunity this weekend when they face the Wanderers. 

GOALS:

Darwin Buffettes: C. Whan 2, M. Roberts, M. Turner, A. Goninon, N. Anderson.

BEST:

Nightcliff: S. Hatzismalis, T. Shields, T. Taylor-Kickett, J. Blecher
Darwin Buffettes: M. Roberts, N. Anderson, J. Iacono, D. Totham, D. Ah Wang

WARATAH 2.2 I 3.3 I 5.6 I 5.7 (37)
ST MARYS  0.3 I 1.4 I 1.4 I 4.5 (29)

The term ‘close call’ came to mind after the Saints gave Waratah the scare of the season. The game started off in typical Warrior fashion where Waratah dominated the first three quarters, but in the fourth term, injury took its toll. The Warriors would have to play out the last quarter with an empty bench. Under 18 representative, Madeline Gault took charge with only a few experienced players left. Gault praised the efforts of debutants Jessica Chan Tite and Elizabeth Mirabella on AFLNTV  for their part on a hot day. In the end, the Warriors got the four points but with an entire bench unavailable, the questions of how injured their players are still remain. 

GOALS:

Waratah: A. Chittick 3, J. Kerinaiua, M. Gault.
St Marys: Not supplied.

BEST:

Waratah: S. Bishop, L. Roberts, M. Gault, J. Kerinaiua, A. Healy
St Marys: Not Supplied

TRACY VILLAGE 0.1 I 0.1 I 1.1 I 1.2 (8)
PINT 0.1 I 3.1 I 4.3 I 7.4 (46)

After a slow first quarter, it seemed like this match would be close. This was not the case as Pint turned on the afterburners and blitzed Razorbacks. Erin Hetherington was a rock in defence whilst being heavily complemented by Alexandra Henley who stopped Tracy Village’s forwards dead in their tracks. Cassie Henderson and Samantha Barnett had their typical performance in the midfield while Erin Ryan had a day out up forward. The only Razorback who could hold her head high was Zhoe Clarke, as even Kristy Irvine had a slow day. Pint will be tested in the coming weeks against Waratah, Southern Districts, and the Darwin Buffettes. If the Queen Ants can defeat one or more they will prove themselves finals contenders.

GOALS:

Tracy Village: A. Angel.
Pint: D. Suddaby 2, E. Ryan 2, A. Pennefather, C. Barnden, E. Greaves.

BEST:

Goal Kickers: Z. Clarke, T. Angel, B. McDougall, E. Lima, C. Wright, K. Dumbris
Best Players: E. Heatherington, A.Henley, S. Barnett, E. Ryan, C. Henderson