THE final round of the Northern Territory Football League Women’s (NTFLW) saw the top teams such as Waratah and Southern District once again flex their muscles, while it also featured a surprise upset with the Buffettes stunned in their clash. It marked the final game of the home and away season for Tracy Village, St Mary’s and Wanderers who will all be looking ahead to a bigger and better 2020/21 season.

TRACY VILLAGE 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 (1)
WARATAH 4.9 | 6.11 | 10.12 | 14.17 (101)

GOALS:

Tracy Village: N/A.
Waratah: L. Roberts 5, M. Hunter 3, A. Chittick 2, G. Cusack, M. Gissing, T. O’Hehir, B. Martin.

BESTS:

Tracy Village: N/A
Waratah: C. Fabris, M. Hunter, T. O”Hehir, B. Martin, I. Rapson-Staropoli

It was a convincing performance from Waratah who dismantled Tracy Village to run out 100-point victors. The Tahs’ were on from the get-go establishing an early lead and not looking back gradually adding to the margin. Tracy Village’s only score came in the second quarter with most of the game one way traffic heading towards Waratahs forward. They proved too strong across the board putting up a wall in defence and simply attacking the scoreboard any time an opportunity came their way. Waratah managed four goals each quarter apart from the second when it only recorded two majors but suffered from inaccuracy with 17 points to its name. Lisa Roberts was a real live wire up forward for Waratah helping herself to five goals, while Monet Hunter also chipped in with three majors of her own, keeping her strong form in front of goal well and truly alive. Amy Chittick also made an impact inside the forward arc with two majors while Tarryn O’Heir and Breanna Martin were both named in the bests for their impressive efforts. Isabella Rapson-Staropoli shone bright once again with her ability to find the footy. It was a disappointing outing for Tracy Village with the likes of Alex Lang, Catherine White and Aeysha Angel digging deep but unfortunately it was not enough to trouble the scoreboard with Waratah simply unstoppable in every aspect.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT 5.5 | 8.8 | 13.10 | 19.17 (131)
ST MARYS 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 (0)

GOALS:

Southern Districts: E. Miller 10, K. Marsden 2, G. Mulvahil 2, T. Holtze, D. Lee-Feeney, M. Craufurd, M. Clarke, G. Stiles.
St Mary’s: N/A.

BESTS:

Southern Districts: E. Miller, M. Nankervis, T. Thornton, K. Waterbury, K. Marsden
St Mary’s: N/A

Southern District pummelled St Mary’s by a whopping 131 points in what was a complete and utter one-sided affair. The Southern Districts win never really looked in doubt with the home team quickly asserting themselves on their opponents. A five-goal first quarter set the tone for the match, and although they had a quieter second term, they picked up the pace after half-time with accuracy proving no real issue. St Mary’s failed to stop the forward momentum of District consistently outnumbered at the contest and unable to move out of their back half. In the past three games Ebony Miller, has nailed a staggering 22 goals 10 of which came in this performance highlighting just how much of a presence she has up forward and her goal sense. Miller provided a constant option inside 50 but she was not the only one to get on the board with debutante Kasey Marsden managing two goals and Grace Mulvahil also nailing two majors to extend her sides lead. The scoring load was further spread across a host of players with Tahlia Holtze, Megan Craufurd and Maili Clarke getting amongst the action with a goal apiece while Malory Nankervis made her way into the bests for a second consecutive week. Aaliyah Bailey and Ashlee Harris combined well for St Mary’s but it was not enough to quell the constant onslaught from Southern District.

PINT 4.3 | 5.5 | 5.6 | 6.7 (43)
DARWIN BUFFETTES 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 3.1 (19)

GOALS:

Pint: K. Smits 2, J. Baumer 2, J. Downey, C. Henderson.
Darwin Buffettes: C. Browne, T. Bullen, B. Stokes.

BESTS:

Pint: N/A
Darwin Buffettes: J. Dodsworth, D. Carbone, K. Duggan, B. Stokes, C. Boyd

The biggest upset of the round came at the hands of Pint downing the fourth placed Darwin Buffettes in convincing fashion. Pint got the early ascendancy leaving the Buffettes stunned and unable to get their usual ball movement up and running. Darwin were rendered goalless in the opening half credit to Pint’s extreme pressure, while the home side piled on five goals to all but end any chance of a comeback. Pint had answers for everything their opposition threw at them and while they were slightly inaccurate in front of the big sticks they did enough to get over the line and limit the Buffettes from getting a real run at it. Kristen Smits and Jessie Baumer both hit the scoreboard once again for Pint with four goals collectively while Cassie Henderson rounded out the scoring contingent with a goal of her own.  For Darwin, Crystal Browne, Tameka Bullen and Bianca Stokes shared the load but their efforts fell short unable to register enough opportunities to hit the scoreboard and turn the tables. Youngster Dominique Carbone worked diligently for each and every ball that came her way named in the bests for the third consecutive week with teammate Kylie Duggan also plying her trade across the ground.

PALMERSTON 2.5 | 3.6 | 5.9 | 9.9 (63)
WANDERERS 0.0 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 4.3 (27)

GOALS:

Palmerston: L. Motlap 3, J. Brock 2, A. Moreen, M. Frank, I. Ronberg, W. Barlow.
Wanderers: N/A.

BESTS:

Palmerston: J. Brock, J. Baird, T. May, L. Motlap, C. Delacoeur, K. White
Wanderers: N/A

The final game of the round saw Palmerston once again showcase their strength against the seventh placed Wanderers with a solid 36-point win. The Magpies were in complete control from the first whistle but were plagued with inaccuracy scoring five behinds. Things evened up in the second term with the Wanderers piling on the pressure and getting back within a mere five points thanks to three goals. But that did not last long with Palmerston hitting back after half time and running away with the game and keeping the Wanderers to just one major. Palmerston’s attacking 50 was dictated by Laquioya Motlap with the forward booting three goals with teammate Jessie Brock also chiming in with two goals of her own. Arthurina Moreen continued her hot form in front of goal recording yet another major while Iesha Ronberg also contributed to the winning score line with a goal. Cammie Delacoeur plied her trade for the Magpies with Janet Baird also making her presence felt in the victory. Muk Muks duo Lucille Motlop and Shekeine De Stage worked tirelessly but ultimately could not stop the Magpies from powering on.