THE Northern Territory Football League Women’s (NTFLW)’s penultimate round of the saw the ladder settle a little ahead of finals, but it is not all set in stone as the season comes to a conclusion next week.

In an enthralling top three clash it was St Mary’s who prevailed over Waratah by 13 points. It featured many lead changes but the Saints held on and proved to be too strong.

All of the momentum early was with the Saints. Although they struggled to kick accurately in front of goal, they had all the attacking momentum as the ‘Tahs struggled to get the ball out of their defensive 50.

It took five minutes for either side to get a goal on the board, and it finally come for St Mary’s off the boot of Danielle Ponter. The restart turned out to be just what Waratah needed to finally get the ball into their attacking 50, but they still could not put a goal on the board as the Saints’ defence held strong.

The ‘Tahs did eventually get a goal though in the ninth minute via Nikki Watts and the margin was back to three. They kicked a second via Lisa Miceli with a couple of minutes left to go in the quarter to take the lead, but Kaitlyn Armstrong responded from the restart to restore the lead for the Saints.

Armstrong’s goal ensured the Saints lead would be four points at the first change. In a starkly different second quarter, goals became hard to come by for both sides. It took nine and a half minutes for either side to register a goal, and that goal finally came for the ‘Tahs off the boot of Megan Hunt.

Hunt’s goal would ultimately be the last goal as the intensity of the match ensured that goal scoring would become a premium. It also saw the ‘Tahs as the ones with the lead at half time, but it was only three points.

It did not take nearly as long in the third term for a goal to be kicked, as both sides had a major inside the opening minute. Marlee Gundersen converted from a tight angle first to restore St Mary’s lead before Hunt responded from the restart to counter Gunderson’s goal and ensured Waratahs took the lead back.

The lead changed again minutes later as Armstrong kicked her second to ensure St Mary’s had the lead yet again. That was not going to be the last lead change of the quarter as Hunt kicked her third to take the lead back for the Tah’s again in the shadows of three quarter time. So as the teams headed into the final change the Waratah’s lead was just two points so it was very much all still to play for in the last.

The Saints kicked a major within the first minute of the quarter again in the last as Eliza Shannon converted s the goal for goal run continued and the Saints took the lead back. They had a second minutes later via Armstrong, and their lead grew to a game high 10 points.

Billie Byers kicked St Mary’s third of the term and those in Green and Gold were no doubt starting to feel good about where the game was heading. Jenna Singh got one back for the Waratahs, but unfortunately for the ‘Tahs that would be the end of their goal scoring as the Saints held on for the win.

AROUND THE GROUNDS:

• PINT picked up another solid win, defeating Nightcliff by 98 points.

One first quarter goal was all the Tigers could manage as the PINT side ensured the result was beyond doubt early. Amy Chittick was on fire in front of goal for PINT, finishing with six majors, while Steph Lawrence booted four of her own.

Meanwhile Cassie McWilliam was Nightcliff’s sole goal kicker, while Hannah Turnbull played well in a tough day at the office for the Tigers.

• Darwin gave themselves some more breathing space inside the top four with a solid win over Wanderers.

The Buffettes kept the Wanderers to one goal as they ran away with an 78-point win. Johanna Gregory booted four goals for Darwin while Imahra Cameron finished with three, while Alinta Fejo was the sole goal kicker for Wanderers.

• Tiwi kept in touch with the finals with a solid 42-point win over Palmerston.

A four goals to one first half really set up the win for the Bombers as Tiwi kept within striking distance of fifth place. Freda Puruntatameri and Maria Rioli were among Tiwi’s best, while Charli Brady and Hannah Torsney both played well for Palmerston.