REIGNING premiers PINT has survived an early test in the 2024/25 Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Women’s Premier League with a nail-biting five-point win over Darwin Buffettes in the opening round of the new season. The Queen Ants had everything on their own terms in the first term, but quickly found out the power the Buffs have, as they roared to live and fell just five points short of an upset victory.

PINT lead by 26 points at quarter time, keeping Darwin scoreless and looking on track to record a massive win. But with the quality of players on the Buffettes list, they turned it around to trim the lead back by a goal at the main break to trail by 20 points following a two goals to one second term.

The underdogs’ best work was done in the premiership quarter however, kicking three goals to nil and really putting the Queen Ants on the ropes with a massive comeback. Though Darwin was able to cut the deficit back to one point, it was unable to find the winning goal, with PINT able to maintain its composure in the last – albeit only by kicking four straight behinds – to secure the 5.8 (38) to 5.3 (33) victory.

Star Queen Ants ruck Jasmyn Hewett was arguably the difference between the sides with a massive best on ground performance for her side, while equally AFLW-experienced talent Dominique Carbone was unbelievable in trying to mount the Buffettes’ comeback.

Casey Morris was the sole multiple goalkicker for the Queen Ants in the narrow win, while notable goalkicker Steph Lawrence was one of three players to hit the scoreboard. Rhiley Huppatz and Lucy Hamilton were also named among the coaches best in the win.

For the Buffettes, it was the Hart-Aluni show with Tayla kicking a goal and was named next best after Carbone, while Keanne booted two majors to be her team’s sole multiple goalkicker. Vice-captain Nicole Schmitt also hit the scoreboard and had some nice moments.

PINT 4.2 | 5.4 | 5.4 | 5.8 (38)
DARWIN 0.0 | 2.2 | 5.3 | 5.3 (33)

GOALS:
Pint: C. Morris 2, S. Ajani, Z. Clarke, S. Lawrence
Darwin: K. Hart-Aluni 2, S. Fomekong, T. Hart-Aluni, N. Schmitt

BEST:
PINT: J. Hewitt, R. Huppatz, L. Hamilton, A. Chittick, E. Grundon
Darwin: D. Carbone, T. Hart-Aluni, R. Beuzeville, K. Henry, A. Goninon

AROUND THE GROUNDS

A revamped Nightcliff outfit saw off a talented St Mary’s side to exact revenge on the Tigers’ preliminary finals loss to the Saints. Experienced inclusions such as Lucy Northcott (South Adelaide), Sally Evans (Bond University) and Cassie McWilliam (returning, ex-VFLW and WAFLW) all hit the scoreboard in the 4.11 (35) to 2.11 (23) victory.

Inaccuracy plagued the game, but still saw a terrific performance from ex-Essendon AFLW and Collingwood VFLW forward Caitlin Sargent who booted a goal and was named her side’s best, while youngster Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn kicked her side’s other major and Paula Pavic was also very impressive.

Southern Districts also secured a hard-fought win, defeating Waratah by nine points on TIO Stadium’s second oval. The Crocs kicked two goals to nil in the second term to give themselves a buffer, and held on with just one goal apiece booted in the second half.

Bonnie Brown (two goals) lead the scoring, while VFLW talent Maddi Shaw and ruck Krystal Russell were both very impressive. Hayley Finning and Ruby O’Dwyer were named Waratah’s best in the loss.

Goalkicking was no issue for Tiwi Bombers who completely destroyed an understrength Wanderers squad in the other Round 1 match. The Bombers piled on 35 scoring shots to one in the 19.16 (130) to 0.1 (1) victory, and aside from the two-goal third term, the Bombers booted five, seven and five goals in the first, second and fourth quarters respectively.

Tiwi had 11 individual goalkickings, with Gabrielle King and Arthurina Moreen both kicking three majors, while former Northern Territory Under 18s representatives Freda Puruntatameri and Maria Rioli each converted two goals. Moreen was named best on ground, while fantastic inclusion in Glenelg premiership skipper Ellie Kellock had a day out for the Bombers.