PALMERSTON moved back into the safe finals spots with a win over Southern Districts, heading into the Christmas break four points clear of Darwin Buffaloes. Fortunately for the Magpies, the Buffs had a bye – so Darwin does have a game in hand – but Palmerston did what it had to do against the seventh placed Crocs, and won by 28 points at Cazalys Arena.
Ending the 2024 calendar part of the season on a high, the Magpies lead throughout the contest and kicked away in the second half after the underdog Crocs closed the deficit to just five points at the main break. The half-time rest proved a crucial one for those in the black and white, coming out firing again with a three goals to nil second half, keeping the Crocs scoreless in the 6.11 (47) to 3.1 (19) triumph.
Bottom-age young gun Marika Carlton looms as the Territory’s top prospect in next year’s AFL Women’s Draft, and she showed it during the match, kicking two goals and was named best on ground for her side in the 28-point victory. She was the sole multiple goalkicker in the match, as Jorja Davey and Taylah Easton were among four players to add their names to the scoreboard.
Hannah Torsney provided critical assistance for the Magpies, with Taelah Smith, Mikayla Baldwin and Aisha Thomas all showing their experience in the win. For the Magpies, it was VFLW-experienced pair Maddi Shaw and Nayely Borg who continued their great form in what has been a tough season for the Crocs, while Bonnie Brown, Alessia Smythe and Teegan Wattam were the goalkickers.
PALMERSTON MAGPIES 3.3 | 3.6 | 4.8 | 6.11 (47)
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 1.1 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.1 (19)
GOALS:
Palmerston Magpies: M. Carlton 2, J. Davey, T. Easton, C. Niesner, A. Thomas
Southern Districts: B. Brown, A. Smyth, T. Wattam
BEST:
Palmerston Magpies: M. Carlton, H. Torsney, T. Smith, M. Baldwin, A. Thomas
Southern Districts: M. Shaw, N. Borg, A. Smythe, E. Forsyth, K. Russell
AROUND THE GROUNDS
The top two sides in PINT and Nighcliff proved far too strong for the bottom two sides in Waratah and Wanderers respectively. The Queen Ants and Tigers won by 104 and 158 points, continuing their reign at the top of the table. PINT’s 16.9 (105) to Waratah’s 0.1 (1) win meant the Queen Ants head into the break with a perfect 10-0 record, while the Tigers’ only loss came against PINT, and moved to a 9-1 effort following the 25.14 (164) to 1.0 (6) demolition job over Wanderers.
In the other match which turned out to be the closest one of the weekend, St Mary’s got past Tiwi Bombers in an inaccurate victory, kicking 7.12 (54) to 5.4 (34). The Saints further extended their lead in third over the fourth placed Bombers, heading into Christmas with an 8-2 win-loss record, while the Bombers slumped to an even 5-5 performance this season.
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PALMERSTON moved back into the safe finals spots with a win over Southern Districts, heading into the Christmas break four points clear of Darwin Buffaloes. Fortunately for the Magpies, the Buffs had a bye – so Darwin does have a game in hand – but Palmerston did what it had to do against the seventh […]
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