FOLLOWING a week off for all sides, the Northern Territory Football League Women (NTFLW) Premier League looks set to resume their action this weekend, much to the joy of football fans around the state. Last weekend saw all Round 6 action postponed due to the implementation of restrictions due to a COVID-19 outbreak, with greater Darwin unable to complete their matches. Round 6 will likely take place later on in the season, but the focus is now purely on this weekend’s matchups, which will see two sides look to continue their undefeated streaks.

St Mary’s vs Waratah

Saturday 13 November, 10:00am

TIO Stadium

In what should prove to be an exciting matchup, two sides in similar positions will be looking to claim ascendancy when they face off on Saturday morning. Just one win separates the sides heading into this clash, and with a spot in the top three potentially up for grabs, expect these two sides to bring their best and leave nothing in the tank when they walk off TIO Stadium.

St Mary’s have officially announced themselves as a serious contender for a finals spot, currently holding third place on the ladder after five rounds of action, and will be eager to maintain this position with a win on Saturday morning. With the top two sides still currently undefeated and at least a game ahead, securing a win in this match is almost essential for St Mary’s to keep up to the pace of the benchmark sides in the competition.

Waratah have broken even so far this season, keeping themselves in the fight for a postseason appearance, but not lighting the world on fire with their two wins and two losses from four matches so far. Their two losses came from the league’s top two sides, but they were competitive in these outings, and will likely take plenty out of those clashes. These experiences may help them heading into this match, and a win over St Mary’s will bump them up into the top part of the ladder. Lauren Pluker was Waratah’s best player in Round 5’s loss to Darwin, and will be looking to deliver a performance of a similar caliber this weekend.

Wanderers vs Darwin Buffaloes

Saturday 13 November, 12:00pm

TIO Stadium

The Buffaloes look likely to take some beating as they head into their clash with the Wanderers as heavy favorites on Saturday afternoon. While this clash looks to be a one-sided affair, the Wanderers will be keen to shock the league and deliver one of the upsets of the year, but this looks to be a difficult task as they take on one of the in-form sides of the competition.

The Wanderers have won just one of their five games so far this season, with their sole victory coming against Tracy Village. While their record may seem less than flattering, they have proved competitive at times this season, especially in their commanding 113 point smashing of Tracy Village. If they can recapture this explosive offense against the Buffaloes, then an upset may be brewing, but they will need to bring their very best if they are to pull off what seems like a miracle.

The Buffaloes look nearly unstoppable as of late, seemingly always finding a way to get a win whether the margin is big or small. They remain one of two undefeated teams so far this season, and having already copped their bye early in the season, they have a one game advantage over the Tigers. However, if they wish to steal top spot on the ladder, these are the matches they will need to win, and while they look the favorite to win, it it essential that they bring their best to TIO Stadium on Saturday.

Palmerston Magpies vs Nightcliff Tigers

Saturday 13 November, 3:00pm

Cazaly’s Arena

The league’s benchmark team will be looking to keep their momentum rolling as the ladder-leading Nightcliff Tigers take on the Palmerston Magpies, who have experienced their fair share of struggles so far this season. If an upset is to take place, the Magpies will have to bring their absolute best, with the Tigers currently firing on all cylinders on a weekly basis.

The Magpies have won just one match so far this season from four outings so far, with a sole victory coming against the bottom-placed Tracy Village. It has been a disappointing season thus far for Palmerston, but the idea of upsetting the top team in the competition would have the players motivated to give this match their all on Saturday afternoon. With the week off potentially working to their advantage in disrupting the momentum of the Tigers, the Magpies will be fancying themselves a chance in this clash, but will need to bring their A-game to Cazaly’s Arena.

The Tigers have not put a foot wrong in their start to the season thus far, defeating every side in their path on their way to occupy top spot on the ladder after five rounds. Their game plan looks simply too strong and with contributors in all three lines, they could not have done much more to establish themselves as the premiership favorite thus far. However, the Buffaloes are hot on their tail in second place, and if they want to hold on to first place, these are the matches that they must win, so expect them to come out eager to claim a telling victory.

Tracy Village vs Southern Districts

Sunday 14 November, 2:00pm

Tracy Village Oval

The final match of the round sees two of the bottom three sides face off, as both look to turn their fortunes around with a Round 7 victory at Tracy Village Oval. With one side still searching for their maiden win for the season and the other side having lost four of their five outings, both sides will have plenty to play for when they go head to head on Sunday afternoon.

Tracy Village have struggled to start their 2021/22 campaign, unable to register a triumph from their first five matches. The side has been on the receiving end of triple-digit margins, frequently unable to deliver a competitive performance. They may fancy themselves a chance to claim their elusive first win of the season this weekend, but their opponents have shown the ability to take control of quarters at a time, so Tracy Village will need to deliver a stronger outing than they have shown so far this year.

The Southern Districts have delivered a slower start to the season than many expected, but were able to bounce back with a convincing Round 5 victory over the Wanderers. It was a win that seemed to get their season heading in the right direction, and with a favourable matchup this weekend, the Districts have been given the perfect opportunity to keep their momentum rolling, but cannot let their guard down against a Tracy Village side that will be desperate to claim their first win.

PINT will have the bye.

For more information about this weekend’s action, head to the AFLNT’s website