AFTER an extremely entertaining 2021/22 season, the Northern Territory Football League Women’s (NTFLW) Premier League has finally reached grand final weekend. The home-and-away season produced some terrific action on a weekly basis as the state’s top female players went head-to-head. While some sides struggled throughout the year, others flourished despite some interruptions and these teams managed to produce some terrific performances in the finals series. In fitting fashion, this week’s decider will see the season’s top two teams face off for the ultimate prize for this year.

Darwin Buffettes vs Nightcliff Tigers
Saturday, March 19 @4pm
TIO Stadium

It is that time of year again, as the two best teams of the 2021/22 season face off for premiership glory when the Darwin Buffettes take on the Nightcliff Tigers at TIO Stadium on Saturday afternoon. They occupied the top two spots on the ladder by the time the home-and-away season concluded, and played out a terrific match in the second week of finals, with the Buffettes able to claim the chocolates, so there are some intriguing storylines heading into this match.

The Buffettes enjoyed a great season with a second place finish on the ladder come season’s end, but it has been their form in the finals that has been the most eye-catching factor of their season. They took on the Tigers for a spot in this very match a couple of weeks ago and ended up being the better side in this matchup. Obviously, the circumstances are a bit different this time around, and the Tigers will be the fresher side coming into this, but Darwin should still be extremely confident. Molly Althouse was named one of her side’s best in that clash, and is fresh off the league best-and-fairest, so it would be fitting if she could step up in the biggest of games.

The Tigers will have revenge on their mind coming into this clash, given Darwin well-and-truly bested them in the battle for a spot in this game. They managed to push past their opponents in Waratah last weekend and set up a tantalising matchup in the big dance. There were doubts of a bit of rust heading into the game mentioned above, but this excuse won’t fly here as they will have more recent experience than their opponents. We all know what the Tigers are capable of doing if they are on song, but it is just a matter of which Nightcliff side rocks up. Cassie McWilliam has been in decent form over the Tigers’ last few outings and should be right in the thick of it this weekend, along with a number of her teammates.