THE 2021/22 Northern Territory Football League Women’s (NTFLW) Premier League season is in full flight, with the standings beginning to properly take shape as the competition heads into their fifth round of action. Round 4 saw some cracking contests, with no team able to gain clear dominance over their opponents, as the ladder begins to tighten as the weeks go on. With two sides still remaining undefeated after four rounds and two others still searching for that elusive first win, this weekend should see the league’s sides deliver another round of entertaining clashes.

Southern Districts vs. Wanderers

2:00pm, Saturday 30 October

Norbuilt Oval

This contest should prove vital in the context of each team’s season, with both of these sides looking to change their fortunes with a push up the ladder when they face off on Saturday afternoon. With these two clubs currently occupying two of the bottom four spots on the ladder, a victory in this clash would have a huge effect on improving each club’s chances for the season.

The Southern Districts are one of two sides still searching for their first win after the first four weeks of football, with a start to the year that has been disappointing, given their strong campaign last season. They enter this match fresh off the bye, likely with a renewed hunger to find their first victory this weekend against an opponent that would be viewed as beatable in their eyes. Last year showed that their best can knock off any side they come up against, and have proved competitive for large portions of their losses, such as their Round 1 clash against the reigning premiers. This match will prove one of their better opportunities to turn their season around.

The Wanderers have won just one of their first four matches, and with a low percentage, they are the lowest side on the ladder with this record, and will be fighting tooth and nail to amend this. They were competitive against the reigning premiers in round 4, and despite the loss, can take plenty from the match. Coming up against a winless side, the Wanderers have the perfect opportunity to edge away from the bottom third of the ladder with a victory on Saturday.

Tracy Village Premier Women vs Darwin Buffaloes Premier Women

4:00pm, Saturday October 30

Tracy Village Oval

Two sides experiencing contrasting seasons will face off, with the home side looking to get off the bottom of the ladder with their first win of the season, while their opponents will be looking to chase down the ladder leaders with their third consecutive win of the season. While this may look like a one-sided clash, the beautiful art of sport is the opportunity for an upset to occur.

Tracy Village have been the worst performing team from the first four weekends of action, currently occupying the last spot in the standings, with zero wins to their name. The side have also been unable to slow down the scoring of their opponents or generate any offensive flow themselves. The key to winning this match will be slowing down the run of their opponents, who have been tough to stop when in full flight. A lot will have to go right for Tracy Village to cause an upset, but nothing is impossible.

The Buffaloes have been one of the form teams of the competition throughout their 2021/22 campaign, with an undefeated record making them one of the toughest obstacles this year. Their play has been extremely strong, with impressive ball-winning ability and daring dash matching well with elite conversion when the ball enters the forward line. The Buffaloes should be heading into this clash as heavy favorites, but no result is guaranteed, so they will still need to be in form.

PINT vs Nightcliff Tigers

5:00pm, Saturday 30 October

TIO Stadium

The match of the round comes in the form of two genuine premiership contenders going head to head on Saturday afternoon, in what should prove essential viewing for all football fans. Last year’s premiers look to have their season back on track following a disappointing loss in Round 2, but will take on the current ladder leaders, who will be eager to continue their undefeated record.

PINT are absolutely on the right track towards claiming their second consecutive flag, with a slight interruption with a shock loss in the second round bringing them back down to earth. However, they have bounced back since then with two straight wins, and look to be making yet another charge towards the flag. They take on their toughest opponent yet, as they face off against a red hot opponent, but PINT have shown in the past that they can win big matches such as this one.

The Tigers have remained on top of the ladder for all four rounds of the season so far, with a fast-paced exciting style of play delivering a number of comfortable wins. They face a true test this weekend when they take on the reigning premiers, who will be looking to regain the league’s throne. The Tigers’ play so far this year has shown they have the capability to win the premiership this year, but will need to bring their best as they take on the league’s premier ‘big game’ side.

St Mary’s vs Palmerston Magpies

2:00pm, Sunday October 31

TIO Stadium

The final match of the round will see St Mary’s attempt to climb into the upper echelon of the standings as they take on a Magpies side that will be eager to separate themselves from the bottom portion of the ladder. With just one win separating fourth and seventh place, there is plenty at stake for these sides when they take the field on Sunday afternoon.

St Mary’s have had a mixed start to the season, with two wins and two losses keeping them in touch with the top part of the ladder in fourth position of the ladder. Their first few rounds indicated that they were one of the sides to beat this year, but a pair of disappointing losses in the last two rounds shows that they may still be a fair way off the pace. However, they competed admirably against the Tigers in Round 4, and will be still be fancying themselves coming into this clash.

The Magpies claimed their first win of the season when they took down Tracy Village in the fourth round of action last weekend. They were able to overcome their inaccuracy to emerge victorious for the first time in the 2021/22 season, and will be looking to carry this momentum forward into this clash. If they can clean up their accuracy in front of goal, they will be a sneaky chance to snag another win here, despite entering the match as underdogs.

Waratah will have the bye.