PRODUCING a huge day out at Gardens Oval, ex-AFLW talent Janet Baird snagged seven goals for St Mary’s in the Saints’ massive 126-point win over the struggling Wanderers. Among the finals-bound contenders, the Saints were far too good across all four quarters, keeping the Wanderers scoreless until the final term and coming away with the 20.12 (132) to 1.0 (6) victory.

Baird booted a match-high seven snags in the win, with St Mary’s racing out to a 71-0 lead by half-time. The Saints surpassed the triple-digit lead by the final break, before the home side showed more resistance through the fourth term. Putting one through the big sticks themselves, Wanderers also kept St Mary’s to just four goals – the stingiest quarter of the match – to keep the deficit at 21 goals.

It what been a really tough season for the last placed, winless Wanderers, but they keep showing up and got some reward for effort in the last term, with SANFLW-experienced talls Jasmin Fejo and Letisha Ackland in the side. Kerri-Ann McLean kicked her side’s sole major, while by comparison, St Mary;’s had nine individual goalkickers.

Of course Baird kicked four of them, but she was well supported by Georgia Marsland who slotted four, while Queensland dynamo Keyshia Matenga and Sydney Swans Academy representative Amelia Martin kicked a pair of goals each. The Saints also had the likes of bottom-age draft prospect Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn and ex-Gippsland Power skipper and ruck Ahlee Penry in the side.

In a somewhat surprising close game, PINT was pushed to its limits against a plucky Palmerston Magpies, only just putting away the fast-finishing Magpies. The Queen Ants headed into the match with an 8-0 record, and though the black and whites were a mid-table side, were in front throughout the first half and got within four points at the final siren.

The low-scoring contest saw PINT emerge victorious 3.7 (25) to 3.3 (21), with six individual goalkickers across the two sides. Ex-Pie and Sun Jordan Membrey was impressive in the win, while Erin Lavis and Tayla Hill also caught the eye. Kate Grady and Sophie James stood up for Palmerston.

Top four sides Tiwi Bombers and Nightcliff played out a close encounter, with the latter kicking away in the third term to secure the victory. Only leading by three points at the main break, the Tigers booted three goals to one in the premiership quarter to take a 15-point advantage into the final term, a margin they held until the siren, 8.4 (52) to 5.7 (37).

Experienced campaigners Lucy Northcott and Mickayla Ward each kicked three goals in the win, while Tiwi forward Freda Puruntatameri slotted two majors. Haley Jones was named best on ground, while tall Cassie McWilliam was also impressive.

In the other match, Darwin Buffettes won another low-scoring encounter, overcoming Southern Districts by 12 points. Both sides found the going tough, with Darwin kicking 2.11 (23) to 1.5 (11), and no goals were kicked after half-time. In the end, the Buffs were able to maintain the lead they held at the main break to secure a vital four points.

Roxy Beuzeville was a standout for the Buffs, with Mali McLeod also impressive and hitting the scoreboard. For the Crocs, Kaitlyn O’Keefe was the sole goalkicker, while VFLW-experienced Maddi Shaw was outstanding in defeat.