REIGNING premiers PINT remains the team to beat at the halfway point of the NTFL Women’s Premier League season, heading through the first nine rounds undefeated. The Queen Ants have bulldozed their way to an 8-0 record and percentage of 279.64 to sit a win clear of their biggest challengers, Nightcliff.

The Tigers are not too far behind, with a 7-1 win-loss effort, only going down to the Queen Ants, and beating each of the other sides with a league-high percentage of 298.60. St Mary’s sits third with six wins from eight games, and an equally impressive 238.89 per cent.

Nightcliff is coming off an 80-point shellacking of Southern Districts on the weekend, running out 13.3 (81) to 0.1 (1) victors in front of home fans. It was one of a number of thrashings over the weekend, with fellow top four sides St Mary’s and Tiwi Bombers also picking up wins, while Waratah looked a class above against the battling Wanderers at TIO Stadium.

In the Tigers’ victory over the Crocs, Cassie McWilliam kicked three goals and was one of five multiple goalkickers for the match, with a host of fellow experienced state leaguers stepping up to the plate. Mickayla Ward, Queenslanders Sally Evans and Tshinta Kendall, and South Australian Lucy Northcott all kicked a couple of goals, while AFLW-listed Giant Fleur Davies also donned the yellow and black and slotted a major.

While boasting a number of talented players on its list, Southern Districts could not make a dint on the scoreboard, though the likes of Michala Collins, Isabella Boyd and Krystal Russell were all named among the best. The Crocs currently sit seventh on the ladder having beaten Waratah and Wanderers, but cannot compete with the top sides in the Premier League.

Waratah did pick up its first victory over the season with a dominant 15.16 (106) to 0.2 (2) win over Wanderers, showing just how great the gap between eighth and ninth is this season. Nikki Watts had a day out with eight goals in the victory, while Hannah Wilson (three) was also strong in front of goal and Jo-Anna Baltais named among the best.

In other results, Tiwi Bombers proved too good for Palmerston Magpies to win by 52 points at Wurrumiyanga Oval, while St Mary’s got past a determined Darwin Buffettes by 28 points in a hard-fought match. The Bombers face stiff competition in Nightcliff coming into Round 10, while the Buffettes take on Southern Districts.

PINT returns from its bye to meet Palmerston Magpies at Cazalys Arena, while in the other game, St Mary’s looks set to have a big win up at Gardens Oval against the struggling Wanderers. Waratah has the Round 10 bye.