PINT remains undefeated in face of Buffette fightback

PINT remains the only undefeated Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Women’s side after holding on to defeat Darwin Buffettes in a thrilling Round 13 encounter on Saturday evening. Despite tripling their goal tally in the final quarter, the Buffettes fell a single point short of the upset victory.

>> SCROLL to see the Round 13 scores & ladder

The ladder leaders, who moved to a 12-0 record, corrected their lacklustre goalkicking from last round (3.14) to post 6.4. Having slotted four goals to one at half time, and led an even 20 points come the final break, PINT was aided by its former AFLW ring-ins at the death.

Kylie Duggan booted two of Darwin’s four final quarter goals, including one to bridge the margin to one point with a minute left on the clock. Earlier, Jordan Membrey looked to have put the game to bed for PINT with six minutes to play, as her second goal extended the gap to 13 points.

Along with Duggan and Membrey, Darwin’s Michelle Sliwinski also finished with two goals. Paige Sheppard, who bagged a single major, was named best afield for the Queen Ants ahead of Zhoe Clarke, and fellow goalkickers Stella Ajani and Jasmyn Hewett.

The result sees Darwin remain just outside the top five, sliding to a negative 5-6 record despite being the only team to have gotten within a goal of beating PINT more than once this season. The Buffs will go on to face the winless Wanderers next week, while PINT takes on Nightcliff.

Around the grounds, second placed St Mary’s joined PINT as the only other undefeated team this side of the new year after beating Nightcliff by 30 points at TIO Stadium. The Friday night fixture was the Tigers’ first in nearly a month having had a bye during last week’s return round.

Appearing slightly underdone, Nightcliff came out of the blocks slowly and finished in similar fashion; going scoreless in the opening quarter, and conceding three goals to nil in the final term. It was a crucial clash in the context of the season, with St Mary’s now moving a game clear of the Tigers in second spot.

Elsewhere, Tiwi Bombers easily accounted for Wanderers on Saturday with a crushing 145-point win at Tracy Village Oval. The Bombers ran rampant with 14 unanswered goals in the opening half, which was extended to 18 at three-quarter time. Wanderers got on the board in term four through Ashlee Wallis

Meanwhile, the scoring was shared between 11 Bombers, including six multiple goalkickers. Freda Puruntatameri snagged five majors, while Maria Rioli finished with four and Jamie Lee Puautjimi managed three. Arthurina Moreen was named best on for the victors.

Waratah joined Tiwi in securing its first win for 2025, keeping Southern Districts goalless in a 37-point victory. Tahs did the work early with three of their five goals coming in the first quarter, and the remaining two before half time. Madeleine Jeans starred with three goals for the victors.

The two sides are now level on points with two wins apiece. Southern Districts still holds a handy percentage buffer to sit seventh, ahead of Waratah in eighth. PINT, St Mary’s and Nightcliff continue to set themselves apart atop the ladder, while Palmerston, Tiwi, and Darwin fight for the last finals spots.

NTFLW ROUND 13 RESULTS:

Nightcliff 2.3 (15) def. by St Mary’s 6.9 (45)
Wanderers 1.1 (7) def. by Tiwi Bombers 23.14 (152)
Darwin Buffettes 6.3 (39) def. by PINT 6.4 (40)
Southern Districts 0.4 (4) def. by Waratah 5.11 (41)

Bye: Palmerston 

NTFLW LADDER:

1. PINT (12-0, 284.7%)
2. St Mary’s (10-2, 325.1%)
3. Nightcliff (9-2, 284.9%)
4. Palmerston (6-5, 167.7%)
5. Tiwi Bombers (6-6, 154.0%)
6. Darwin Buffettes (5-6, 137.9%)
7. Southern Districts (2-10, 56.2%)
8. Waratah (2-9, 47.1%)
9. Wanderers (0-12, 3.47%)

ROUND 14 FIXTURE

Saturday January 18

St Mary’s vs. Palmerston
12:30pm @ TIO Stadium

Darwin Buffettes vs. Wanderers
2:30pm @ TIO Stadium

Nightcliff vs. PINT
5:30pm @ Nightcliff Oval

Waratah vs. Tiwi Bombers
7:30pm @ Gardens Oval

Bye: Southern Districts

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