WITH the weekend well and truly concluded, so has the latest round of the Northern Territory Football League Women’s (NTFLW) Premier League. Round 17 saw some extremely tense clashes around the grounds in the penultimate round of the home and away season. With finals just around the corner, teams were either looking to build some momentum heading into the final term, or trying to finish their season on a high in the final games in the schedule. This resulted in some cracking contests across the states, keeping fans thoroughly entertained from four matches of action.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 0.5 | 2.7 | 3.7 | 4.8 (32)
NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS 1.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 (48)

The biggest match of the round saw the Southern Districts play host to the Nightcliff Tigers at Norbuilt Oval on Saturday afternoon. The stakes were quite high in this match for the Tigers, given they found themselves at risk of losing top spot on the ladder if they were upset by the home side. The Districts had shown some promising form heading into this clash too, so this loomed as a danger game. However, the ladder-leaders were able to get the job done, thanks to some serious accuracy in front of the big sticks.

The match opened with the the Tigers looking to push the ball inside-50 early on to gain ascendancy, but the Districts backline held up well, cutting off numerous attacking plays from the opposition. This resulted in the home side launching some counter-attacks of their own, but their accuracy proved to be their downfall, booting five behinds to start the game. To rub salt in the wound, the Tigers were able to conjure a goal through the blistering pace of Gigi Dadds, who broke through a tackle to snap a goal just metres out and give her side the lead. The Districts looked to answer before quarter-time, but could only manage yet another behind, with proceedings tied at the first break.

The second period saw more of the same for the Districts, as they generated plenty of scoring opportunities in the opening minutes, but could not finish off their hard work, as their shots on goal proved to be wayward. Following this patch of play, the Tigers truly got on top of the contest. They piled on the goals, a run that began with a terrific set shot from Kirra Hill-Carter. From this moment on, Nightcliff was far and away the more dominant side, booting six-goals-to-two as they stretched the margin out to 23 points at the main break, thanks to their straight shooting in front of goal.

The second half saw the Districts come out in a very attacking manner, looking to generate some run by any means necessary. They were playing on wherever possible in an attempt to get their opponents on the back foot given the ground they needed to make up in the third quarter. Things looked promising when their first scoring shot of the game was a major, with Keeley Waterbury‘s set shot sailing through the big sticks. Unfortunately, Waterbury suffered a nasty knee injury a few minutes later, and had to be helped off the field. By the time the final break rolled around, the margin was cut to just 17 points as the Districts gave themselves a chance heading into the fourth.

The final term saw the Districts continue their charge, but the Nightcliff defence was able to thwart a number of scoring opportunities as the home side looked to storm home to an upset win. Things got interesting in the second half of the period, with Rhania Hewett bringing the Crocs back within 16 points, but the comeback finished here. In the end, the Tigers showed why they belong at the top of the table, getting the job done to claim their 13th win of the season.

For the victors, Andi Moliere was simply terrific for all four quarters, popping up everywhere and impacting the contest whenever given the opportunity. Dadds backed up her first-quarter major with a terrific performance in the win, impacting the match from start to finish. For the Districts, Kasey Marsden fought valiantly all day to keep her side in the fight, and was excellent at providing a spark for the Crocs.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

The Palmerston Magpies returned for their first game in a few weeks to claim a 19-point victory over the Wanderers at Cazaly’s Arena on Saturday afternoon. It was a strong return for the victors, who stormed away to an early lead with a five goal first term, a margin they were able to defend for the remainder of the match to claim their third win of the 2021/22 season.

The Darwin Buffaloes proved too good for the reigning champs in PINT when the two sides went head-to-head at TIO Stadium on Saturday afternoon. PINT were looking to make a move into the top-three with a win here, but the Buffaloes were able to find their early-season form and tear apart their opponent on the way to a five-goal triumph.

The final match of the round saw Waratah give themselves a massive confidence boost heading into the final round of the season, taking down Tracy Village to the tune of 114 points at Tracy Village Oval on Sunday afternoon. The visitors produced a dominant performance, keeping their opponents scoreless for the entirety of the match as they prepare for their upcoming finals campaign.