PALMERSTON Magpies had a favourable Round 16 of NTFL Women’s Premier League action to keep their finals hopes alive heading into the last fortnight. The Magpies were eight points adrift of the fifth placed Darwin Buffettes, but a strong four-goal win over cellar dwellers Tiwi Bombers followed by a crushing 106-point loss to the Buffs, has Palmerston a mere four points off the last spot inside the finals positions.

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Coming into the match, Palmerston sat sixth with four wins for the season, while the Bombers have cemented the wooden spoon with a 10-point gap to eighth placed Wanderers. Despite the favouritism heading into the match, it was anything but easy for the Magpies early.

Unable to really capitalise on their forward half dominance, Palmerston booted six straight behinds in the opening term, and by half-time had only managed one goal from 10 scoring shots. For all of the visitors’ efforts, they only lead by seven points, with the Bombers making more of their limited chances with 1.2 across the first half.

However that dominance did eventually convert, with three goals in the third term to break open the game and build a deficit that was unable to be caught by the last placed Tiwi side. Though the Bombers did boot a consolation major in the final term – and keep the Magpies to just three points – they essentially only had four scoring shots to Palmerston’s 18.

Central District’s Shannon Murphy booted two of her side’s four majors in the win, with Ciana Niesner kicking the other two. Other players impressed amongst the best, with over-age talent Marika Carlton and ex-AFLW forward Zimmorlei Farquharson also catching the eye. For the Bombers, Mara Murphy and Jelena Tipungwuti each managed a goal, but despite having some impressive talent on the field, were unable to crack through for a third win.

Palmerston moved within four points of Darwin after the Buffettes dropped a whopping 15 percentage points in their 106-0 defeat at the hands of the rampaging St Mary’s. While Darwin struggled to score, ex-AFLW players in Isabella Shannon (three goals) and Tahlia Fellows (two) had no problems, as the Saints had 11 individual goalkickers in the stampede.

Darwin’s defeat helped Southern Districts as the Crocs crunched the battling Wanderers in a similarly one-sided affair. Southern Districts booted 17.8 (110) to just five behinds at Norbuilt Oval including a 10-goal second half. Kaitlyn O’Keefe feasted on the Wanderers’ defence with eight goals, while former Allies representative Taelah Smith was named best-on by her side.

In the other contest, Nightcliff had a comfortable win over Waratah to keep its unbeaten season rolling on. The Tigers notched up win number 13, which was certainly not unlucky for them, putting the ‘Tahs to the sword with an 11.10 (76) to 1.2 (8) triumph. Last year’s runners-up had eight individual goalkickers with skipper Gabby Deller (two) among them. Jasmine Ware and Chloe Saultry were also among the Tigers’ best.

ROUND 16 RESULTS

Darwin Buffettes 0.0 (0) def. by St Mary’s 15.16 (106)
Tiwi Bombers 2.2 (14) def. by Palmerston Magpies 4.14 (38)
Southern Districts 17.8 (110) def. Wanderers 0.5 (5)
Nightcliff 11.10 (76) def. Waratah 1.2 (8)

Bye: Southern Districts

NTFL WPL LADDER

1. Nightcliff Tigers | 13-0 | 296.7% | 54 points
2. St Mary’s | 11-2 | 336.4% | 46 points
3. PINT | 9-4 | 242.0% | 38 points
4. Southern Districts | 6-6 | 118.7% | 26 points
5. Darwin Buffettes | 6-6 | 75.0% | 26 points
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6. Palmerston Magpies | 5-8 | 92.8% | 22 points
7. Waratah | 4-9 | 63.0% | 18 points
8. Wanderers | 4-10 | 33.8% | 18 points
9. Tiwi Bombers | 2-12 | 52.5% | 8 points

ROUND 17 FIXTURE

Nightcliff Tigers vs. Wanderers
Saturday February 7, 12:00pm @ TIO Stadium

St Mary’s vs. Waratah
Saturday February 7, 2:00pm @ TIO Stadium

PINT vs. Darwin Buffaloes
Saturday February 7, 4:00pm @ DXC Arena

Southern Districts vs. Palmerston Magpies
Sunday February 8, 6:00pm @ Norbuilt Oval

Bye: Tiwi Bombers