THIS past weekend saw another round of the Northern Territory Football League Women’s (NTFLW) Premier League, with some big scores coming across the competition’s matches. There were no margins below seven goals in the three matches that were completed, with the league’s top sides flexing their muscles with towering performances against some of the league’s struggling sides. Unfortunately, the round’s final match was called off during the second term due to dangerous weather approaching.

In the first match of the round, the Nightcliff Tigers were able to keep their spot on top of the ladder as they took down the Wanderers by 46 points on Saturday afternoon. There was plenty of pressure on the Tigers (as there is every week) to secure the win and maintain their position, and the team was able to overcome this, only conceding one goal for the match, which came in the first term. Tiger Mickayla Ward continued her strong run of form with three goals, while teammate Jasmine Ware also impressed. The win sets up a massive clash next weekend, with the Tigers taking on the Buffaloes, who appear their main competition.

Moving to the Gardens Oval, Waratah were able to push themselves up the ladder with a win over the Southern Districts on Saturday night. Inaccuracy ultimately cost the Districts any chance of keeping themselves in the match, with the side booting 0.6 for the match. However, this is not to discredit Waratah, who dominated the play for most of the match, emerging victorious by 51 points in their fourth win of the season, which keeps them in touch with the top four of the ladder. Forwards Lisa Miceli and Jenna Singh booted three goals each in what would be an encouraging performance for Waratah coaches.

The last match to take place on Saturday saw PINT deliver a classic performance, defeating the Palmerston Magpies by a whopping 103 points at TIO Stadium. Last year’s premiers have endured an inconsistent season, but appear to be approaching their best once again with this thumping triumph over a Magpies side that has struggled in their 2021/22 campaign to date. Reni Hicks claimed best-on-ground honours with a terrific performance, standing out in a side that had so many contributors.

The final contest was slated as one of the matchups of the year, with two of the league’s top three sides facing off as the Darwin Buffaloes locked horns with St Mary’s, with both teams in ripping form as of late. The match started as expected, with both sides battling for ascendancy and producing a high level of football. St Mary’s booted the first two majors of the match as they charged towards an upset victory. The Buffaloes fought back in the second term to slot their first of the match, but immediately after this, the match was called off with a major storm approaching TIO Stadium. If nothing, this short match demonstrated the quality at the top end of the ladder, and sets up a tantalising clash between the Buffaloes and the Tigers next weekend in a top-two clash that will likely shape the ladder moving forward.

ROUND 10 RESULTS:

Nightcliff 7.12 (54) defeated Wanderers 1.2 (8)
Waratah 8.9 (57) defeated Southern Districts 0.6 (6)
PINT 15.13 (103) defeated Palmerston 0.0 (0)
St. Marys 0.0 (0) drew Darwin 0.0 (0) – Called off due to weather