WITH Australia Day weekend coming up, the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Women’s Premier League competition will see three days of football. On Saturday, Waratah meets the Eagles at Gardens Oval. The Warriors destroyed Pint last weekend and looks to repeat the same efforts against the Wanderers. On Sunday, Nightcliff battles Tracy Village, followed by Darwin coming up against St Marys. The Razorbacks should be hungry after their previous withdrawal while Darwin seeks redemption after its loss to the Pies. Monday sees titans clash with the Southern Districts and Palmerston Magpies facing off. The Magpies have been knocking off top teams left and right and the Crocs look like the only team that can stop them.
WARATAH V WANDERERS
Saturday January 26, 12:00pm
Gardens Oval
In previous matches, the Eagles have been blown away by the ladder leaders. Waratah’s forwards, Lisa Miceli, Sue Nalder, Amy Chittick, and Lauren O’Shea could all top the goal kicking tally if they get off to a good start. Then there’s the Warriors backline that forms up a wall of intercept markers. Lisa Roberts and Sharona Bishop will make it very difficult for the Wanderers to score as they have fewer spearheads up front. The Eagles have nothing to lose nor gain in this game, but with only four games left, the Wanderers just have pride on the line.
NIGHTCLIFF V TRACY VILLAGE
Sunday January 27, 10:00am
PSC BM Oval
Tracy Village pulled out of last week’s match against the Southern Districts. This week, the Razorbacks should be more than ready to face the bottom-of-the-ladder Tigers. If the Tigers are to win this match, they must negate the influences of Kristy Irvine and Zhoe Clarke. Despite the fact that both teams lack key position players, Clarke and Irvine have the ability to carry the Razorbacks over the line. The Tigers may not have this privilege as Chloe Scheer‘s duties to the Adelaide Crows might cause her to miss the rest of the season.
ST MARYS V DARWIN BUFFETTES
Sunday January 27, 12:00pm
TIO Stadium
Last weekend, the Buffettes failed to play four quarters of football in their loss to Palmerston. This is due to missing players in Tikesa Docherty-Cole, Jasmine Anderson and Nicky Anderson. Darwin will be very keen to get these players back fit and firing. Machaelia Roberts and Kylie Duggan were everywhere against the Magpies, but lacked support for their efforts. They may not need to much support, as St Marys will be down a few players themselves. If Saints stars, Jasmyn Hewett and Danielle Ponter did not have responsibilities to the AFL Women’s competition, this would be an intriguing match. Unfortunately, that’s not the case and the Buffettes seem overwhelming favourites.
PALMERSTON MAGPIES V SOUTHERN DISTRICTS
Monday January 28, 12:00pm
Asbuild Oval
The Southern Districts have played only one game in the last four rounds. This match will be a difficult one to win for the Crocs, as the Magpies have been running elite teams off their legs. Freda Puruntatemeri shifted into a new gear last week, kicking crucial goals for her side. Lateesha Jeffrey will need to lock down this sharpshooter quickly before she gets a taste of the scoreboard. Despite this, the main concern for the Crocs is the Pies’ midfield. Jessica Stassi, Tabitha May, and Natasha Mebury are all unique as they each bring something different to the table. Stassi’s bollocking clearance work, May’s skill at ground level, and Medbury’s ability to push forward make a very unorthodox yet deadly combination. Tahlia Holtze and Ebony Miller will have to push themselves beyond their limits to combat this formidable trio. If the Crocs can show their earlier form from this season, Palmerston could be in for a shock. However, the Southern Districts will play as the underdog this round due to the Magpies’ current wining streak.
