EVERYTHING comes down to tomorrow with the NTFL Men’s and Women’s Premier League Grand Finals taking place at TIO Stadium. The women’s decider takes place at 4:15pm between St Mary’s and Nightcliff, before the Saints’ men’s squad also step out on the park to face Southern Districts from 6:45pm.

WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE GRAND FINAL

St Mary’s vs. Nightcliff
Saturday, March 15 @ 4:15pm
TIO Stadium

It might not be the grand final necessarily predicted at the start of the finals series, but with back-to-back champion PINT out of the running, it paves the way for a new premier. St Mary’s has the chance to win its sixth flag in the competition, and first since its golden era of five premierships in six seasons from 2004/05-2009/10. Nightcliff on the other hand is yet to win a flag and could make history should the Tigers get up tomorrow.

St Mary’s has a nice blend of experience and youth, with Nadia Von Bertouch, Janet Baird and Caitlin Sargent all bringing AFLW-listed experience with them. Billie Byers is a threat in the front half, while Keyshia Matenga has been a great inclusion for the Saints. Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn and Ciaralii Parnell bring youthful exuberance to the team which will be favourite for the title.

Nightcliff on the other hand has a current AFLW-listed player in GWS Giants’ Fleur Davies. She is one of a number of talls who can provide a threat in the air, with Cassie McWilliam and Lucy Northcott missing out on Round 1 of the SANFL Women’s season to try and win a flag in the Top End. Mickayla Ward and Sally Evans are natural ball-winners, while Breanna Pratt is one of a number of experienced heads who will be crucial in the decider.

TIP = St Mary’s by 10 points.

MEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE GRAND FINAL

Southern Districts vs. St Mary’s
Saturday, March 15 @ 6:45pm
TIO Stadium

The ladder-leading Crocs take on the fifth placed St Mary’s in the decider, with the latter not expected to have survived the long run into the grand final. However after three impressive wins, the most successful club in NTFL history will look for a ridiculous 35th flag, while Southern Districts is eyeing off its fourth title, and third of this century.

The Crocs have a stacked lineup that got them to this point with ruck Matthew Dennis providing an imposing figure, while the experience of Steven Motlop and Jed Anderson across teh ground, and X-factor of Jordan Johnston and Stanley Waistcoast stands out. Tom Clurey and Beau Schwarze are always among the better players as well, and will be key in getting the Crocs the deserved victory.

However one can never count St Mary’s out, with the Landt brothers – Dylan and Jack – on fire, the latter coming off a five-goal haul. Joel Garner brings his AFL experience to the Saints, while Jackson Calder spearheads the attack. Connor West and Kieren Parnell are a couple of key ball-winners for the underdogs as they hope to cause an upset.

TIP = Southern Districts by three points.