WARATAH and Darwin advanced their premiership chances in the NTFL Women’s Premier League after winning their respective finals on the weekend. While the third placed Waratah took down the second placed St Mary’s to set up a huge clash with PINT in the second week of finals, Darwin Buffettes remained alive by ousting Nightcliff in the elimination final.

ST MARY’S 2.2 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 (29)
WARATAH 2.0 | 3.0 | 5.4 | 6.4 (40)

In a nail-biting contest across four quarters, Waratah survived a scare from St Mary’s to come away with the 11-point win. Trailing by two points at the first break, it was accuracy that had the third placed side ahead at half-time, kicking 3.0 to the Saints’ 2.5.

Both teams managed to boot two goals in the second term, but it was Waratah’s turn to struggle with inaccuracy, kicking 2.4 to keep the door open for the Saints who trailed by just five points at the last change. Luckily for the Tahs’ they managed to restrict St Mary’s from scoring in the final term to come away with the 6.4 (40) to 4.5 (29) victory.

Jenna Singh booted three goals for the winners and was named among the best, with Jordan Mifsud and Stephanie O’Brien also impressive in the win. Competition leading goalkicker Kaitlyn Armstrong slotted two goals for the Saints, while Adelaide Crows star Danielle Ponter was named best-on in her side’s defeat.

DARWIN 2.2 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 3.5 (23)
NIGHTCLIFF 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 2.4 (16)

In the knockout elimination final, Darwin Buffettes held off a fast-finishing Nightcliff side to see another day in the NTFL Women’s finals series. The Buffettes were favourites heading into the clash, and seemed to be on top early in the contest leading by 13 points at quarter time. Neither team scored in the second quarter as the margin remained the same in the tight, low-scoring match.

Opening up a little in the third, Darwin managed to add a third goal to its score, extending the lead out to 21 points with a 3.4 to 0.1 lead. Despite not scoring in two quarters and only having a behind to their name, the Tigers booted 2.3 to 0.1 in the final term.

Though they got a lot closer than many expected them to in the fourth quarter, it would not be enough, falling short, 3.5 (23) to 2.4 (16). Stephanie Fomekong, Lucy Louis and Bianca Stokes all kicked goals for the Buffettes in the win, while Cassie McWilliam and Deontae Greenoff hit the scoreboard for the Tigers.