ROUND 15 of the NTFL Women’s Premier League kicks off with a Friday night blockbuster, as PINT plays host to St Mary’s at TIO Stadium. Elsewhere, ladder-leader Nightcliff returns to action on Saturday, while Darwin can just about stamp its finals ticket with a win over Tiwi. We preview the weekend’s action.

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MATCH OF THE ROUND

PINT (3rd) vs. St Mary’s (2nd)
Friday January 16, 6:00pm @ TIO Stadium

Both teams come in riding win streaks having gone down to the undefeated Nightcliff before the break. PINT has steadied in the new year in pursuit of the top two, though this game firms as a must-win with the bye and another fixture against Nightcliff in store.

St Mary’s has won its last three encounters, and aside from the Tigers, have managed to beat all comers this season. That included PINT by nine points back in Round 5. Crucially, the Saints welcome back Isabella Shannon this week, who was best on ground last time against PINT.

Shannon is one of four inclusions for the Green Machine, who boast a wealth of former-AFLW experience and the league’s best defence. Recently delisted Suns Wallis Randell and Ella Smith are have been named, along with Shannon, Poppy Schaap, and skipper Janet Baird.

The Queenants will be missing a couple of their best players from the Round 5 clash in Lucy Hamilton and Eilish Grundon, but are spearheaded by competition leading goalkicker Steph Lawrence. Former Essendon forward Renee Tierney is also a crucial name among four inclusions.

Ruck Jasmyn Hewett, who has been named in PINT’s bests for nine of her 12 games, will inevitably be central to her side’s chances. Seasoned figures like captain Reni Hicks and Zhoe Clarke will also lead the way as the Queenants look to snatch second spot with three more rounds left to play.

Prediction: Saints by 10

TEAMS:

PINT

1. Zoe McWhinney
2. Kayla Faulkner
3. Steph Lawrence
5. Casey Griffiths
7. Isabelle Harding
8. Tyla Cook
10. Reni Hicks (c)
11. Clare Nolan
12. Rhiley Huppatz
13. Janessa FitzGerald
15. Zhoe Clarke
16. Ellen Pinnuck
17. Breaze James
18. Grace Caldow
19. Helen Tucker
20. Jasmyn Hewett (vc)
21. Kenidee McNamara
22. Tayla Hill
23. Renee Tierney
24. Jorja Eldridge
25. Casey Morris

St Mary’s

1. Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn
3. Shavayah Lee
6. Gabriella Reisinger
7. Lexie Cagney
8. Lavinah Pollo
10. Monet Hunter (vc)
12. Bonny McKean
13. Kirra Hill-Carter
14. Paula Pavic
17. Milly Martin
18. Janet Baird (c)
19. Billie Byers
20. Isabella Shannon
21. Matisse Hunter
24. Lucia Liessi
25. Poppy Schaap
26. Molly Warne
27. Nakeesha Miniter
28. Wallis Randell
31. Ella Smith
33. Lakhyah Hill

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Nightcliff will be out to continue its unblemished season when it returns off a bye round to face Palmerston at Cazalys Arena. The sixth-placed Magpies sit just a game off Southern Districts, who have the bye this week, so will be no easybeats with a finals berth within reach.

Elsewhere, Darwin can all but officially cement its spot in the top five with a win over Tiwi as the two sides clash at Tracy Village Oval. The Buffs have won four of their last five games and bounced back well last week after being held goalless by Nightcliff fresh off the Christmas break.

In the weekend’s final match, Waratah and Wanderers will be playing for bragging rights at Gardens Oval. Currently eighth and seventh respectively, finals are still mathematically in reach for the Muk Muks but their poor percentage will need a big boost. A one-sided win would do wonders.

ROUND 15 FIXTURE

PINT (3rd) vs. St Mary’s (2nd)
Friday January 16, 6:00pm @ TIO Stadium

Tiwi Bombers (9th) vs. Darwin Buffettes (4th)
Saturday January 17, 12:00pm @ Tracy Village Oval

Palmerston Magpies (6th) vs. Nightcliff Tigers (1st)
Saturday January 17, 4:00pm @ Cazalys Arena

Waratah (8th) vs. Wanderers (7th)
Saturday January 17, 4:30pm @ Gardens Oval

Bye: Southern Districts

NTFL WPL LADDER

1. Nightcliff Tigers | 11-0 | 298.3% | 46 points
2. St Mary’s | 9-2 | 294.6% | 38 points
3. PINT | 9-3 | 285.3% | 38 points
4. Darwin Buffettes | 6-5 | 93.0% | 26 points
5. Southern Districts | 5-6 | 97.3% | 22 points
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6. Palmerston Magpies | 4-7 | 89.3% | 18 points
7. Wanderers | 4-8 | 37.8% | 18 points
8. Waratah | 3-8 | 61.9% | 14 points
9. Tiwi Bombers | 1-11 | 49.7% | 4 points