THE NTFL Women’s Premier League returns on Saturday after a bumper All-Star weekend, with Round 16 headlined by a clash between second and fourth. That matchup sees St Mary’s take on Darwin to open proceedings in what shapes as a finals preview between two top five sides.

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MATCH OF THE ROUND

Darwin Buffaloes (4th) vs. St Mary’s (2nd)
Saturday January 31, 12:00pm @ TIO Stadium

A win would see fourth-ranked Darwin officially book its finals ticket, with Southern Districts and Palmerston closing within striking distance. The Buffs loss to last-place Tiwi last time out could come back to haunt them, among a run of two losses in three games during the new year.

Meanwhile, the Green Machine sits pretty in second spot and only gets stronger in its pursuit of a fifth-straight victory. In the last meeting between these two sides, the Saints won by 34 points at Gardens Oval to secure a 5-0 start to the season. 10 rounds on, and they remain a contender.

Darwin will be buoyed by a couple of big inclusions, as captain Bianca Stokes returns to the side along with tall VFL import Amelia Peck for her first game since the Christmas break. Although, the Buffs will be without leading goalkicker and rising star Jenara Grant for this clash.

St Mary’s is set to have no shortage of firepower with former-AFLW players Sarah Perkins and Tahlia Fellows returning to the fold. Perkins booted three goals last time out against Darwin. The pair will look to team up with leading goalkicker Shakalia Gardiner-Dunn, serviced by a slew of mainstay stars like captain Janet Baird.

Prediction:

TEAMS:

Darwin Buffaloes

2. Zoe Kurnoth
4. Jenaya Yarran
6. Jamelia Martins
9. Keanne Hart-Aluni
14. Drew Cook
15. Delsey Campbell
16. Akeelah Cowen
17. Tanisha Garling
18. Anju Goninon
19. Kathleen Nicklin
20. Kaitlin Wills
21. Talia Corrie
23. Sophie Mauboy
24. Bianca Stokes (c)
25. Julianna Kerinaiua
26. Saraya Mauboy-Hudson
27. Molly Althouse
28. Raquel Peckham-Hunter
29. Zaylee Lynch
31. Makayla Noble-Webster
33. Amelia Peck

St Mary’s

2. Tahlia Fellows
3. Shavayah Lee
5. Jemma Iacono
6. Gabriella Reisinger
7. Lexie Cagney
8. Lavinah Pollo
9. Grace Roberts-White
10. Monet Hunter (vc)
13. Kirra Hill-Carter
14. Paula Pavic
17. Milly Martin
18. Janet Baird (c)
19. Billie Byers
21. Matisse Hunter
22. Ahlee Penry
27. Nakeesha Miniter
30. Sarah Perkins
31. Isabella Shannon
32. Tikesa Docherty-Cole
33. Lakhyah Hill
34. Stella Justice-Allen

AROUND THE GROUNDS

The action continues at TIO Stadium on Saturday as Tiwi looks to cause another boilover against Palmerston. The Magpies remain a mathematical chance of making the top five, but will likely need to win each of their last three games to sneak in. That’s where the last-place Bombers could play spoiler.

Over at Norbuilt Oval, Southern Districts will hope to even their 5-6 ledger and strengthen its hold on fifth spot in one fell swoop. The Crocs face Wanderers (eighth) after an elongated bye, though the Muk Muks have been up against it of late with three-straight losses to start the new year.

The lone game on Sunday sees ladder leader Nightcliff put its unblemished record on the line against Waratah. The Tigers were pushed by Palmerston last time out but were comfortable 36-point winners over the Tahs in their Round 6 matchup. Third-placed PINT has the bye.

ROUND 16 FIXTURE

Darwin Buffaloes (4th) vs. St Mary’s (2nd)
Saturday January 31, 12:00pm @ TIO Stadium

Tiwi Bombers (9th) vs. Palmerston Magpies (6th)
Saturday January 31, 2:00pm @ TIO Stadium

Southern Districts (5th) vs. Wanderers (8th)
Saturday January 31, 4:00pm @ Norbuilt Oval

Nightcliff Tigers (1st) vs. Waratah (7th)
Sunday February 1, 6:00pm @ Nightcliff Oval

Bye: PINT (3rd)

NTFL WPL LADDER

1. Nightcliff Tigers | 12-0 | 276.8% | 50 points
2. St Mary’s | 10-2 | 289.3% | 42 points
3. PINT | 9-4 | 242.0% | 38 points
4. Darwin Buffaloes | 6-6 | 90.6% | 26 points
5. Southern Districts | 5-6 | 97.3% | 22 points
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6. Palmerston Magpies | 4-8 | 88.2% | 18 points
7. Waratah | 4-8 | 70.1% | 18 points
8. Wanderers | 4-9 | 37.1% | 18 points
9. Tiwi Bombers | 2-11 | 53.2% | 8 points