NIGHTCLIFF flexed its muscles in the penultimate round of the NTFL Women’s Premier League with a 118-point shellacking of Wanderers to ensure the Tigers will finish the 2025/26 season as minor premiers. The Tigers are 14-0 for the season and despite only having the second best percentage in the league, are now eight points clear of their biggest rival – and the one with the top percentage – St Mary’s with just one round to play.

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In the opening match of Round 17 and part of a Women’s Premier League double-header at TIO Stadium, Nightcliff piled on 28 scoring shots to five against the eighth placed Wanderers who closed out their season with a 20.8 (128) to 1.4 (10) result. Though still 10 points clear of Tiwi Bombers heading into the last round and therefore will avoid the wooden spoon, Wanderers have a bye in Round 18 which means they are done for the season.

In the one-sided result, the Tigers took a little while to get going as the Wanderers did manage to reduce the damage through the first half. Keeping the ladder leaders to just three goals in each of the first terms, the dam wall broke after the main break as Nightcliff put the foot down and slammed home 14 goals to one and ran away dominant victors. That included the last nine goals of the match, most of which were to Cassie McWilliam.

The competition’s leading goalkicker had two majors in the first half and four by three quarter time, before letting loose in the final quarter, kicking four goals – including two in the last two and a half minutes – to see out the result into the triple digits. McWilliam’s eight snags were the highlight, though she was well supported by Deontae Sheppard-Greenoff (three goals), while Sandringham Zebras listed Chloe Saultry (two goals) was named best on ground.

Nightcliff’s stronger bodies such as Lucy Northcott and Kierra Zerafa also found their way into the bests, while Jasmine Ware and dangerous small forward Zimra Hussain also hit the scoreboard. For Wanderers, Tedisha Bush kicked her side’s only major, with former AFLW players such as Ashanti Bush and Stephanie Williams running around for the losing side.

Meanwhile the only player in with a shot to chase down McWilliam’s goalkicking award in Steph Lawrence managed four majors in PINT’s 27-point victory over Darwin Buffettes. Kenidee McNamara was named best on in the Queen Ants’ 6.6 (42) to 2.3 (15) triumph, while the Buffs look still set to fill out fifth spot despite the defeat.

Palmerston Magpies’ finals hopes all but ended with an 18-point loss to fourth placed Southern Districts. The Magpies went down 3.4 (22) to 0.4 (4) in a low-scoring slog, which means Palmerston now has to somehow upset second placed St Mary’s in the last round, while hoping Waratah can knock off Darwin in order to secure fifth spot. The Crocs did not win pretty, but the victory ensured they will head to the elimination final.

In the other match, St Mary’s dominated Waratah for three quarters to lead by 63 points at the final change before the ‘Tahs hit back with two consolation majors to make it a 52-point result. Ex-AFLW sharpshooters Tahlia Fellows and Sarah Perkins both kicked three goals, while top-age draft prospect Lakhyah Hill starred for the Saints.

ROUND 16 RESULTS

Nightcliff 20.8 (128) def. Wanderers 0.0 (0)
St Mary’s 9.11 (65) def. Waratah 2.1 (13)
PINT 6.6 (42) def. Darwin Buffettes 2.3 (15)
Southern Districts 3.4 (22) def. Palmerston Magpies 0.4 (4)

Bye: Tiwi Bombers

NTFL WPL LADDER

1. Nightcliff Tigers | 14-0 | 331.7% | 58 points
2. St Mary’s | 12-2 | 345.4% | 50 points
3. PINT | 10-4 | 243.9% | 42 points
4. Southern Districts | 7-6 | 122.1% | 30 points
5. Darwin Buffettes | 6-8 | 72.5% | 26 points
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6. Palmerston Magpies | 5-9 | 90.0% | 22 points
7. Waratah | 4-10 | 59.0% | 18 points
8. Wanderers | 4-11 | 31.1% | 18 points
9. Tiwi Bombers | 2-12 | 52.5% | 8 points

ROUND 18 FIXTURE

Palmerston Magpies vs. St Mary’s
Friday February 13, 6:00pm @ Cazalys Arena

Southern Districts vs. Tiwi Bombers
Saturday February 14, 12:00pm @ Norbuilt Oval

Waratah vs. Darwin Buffettes
Saturday February 14, 4:30pm @ Gardens Oval

PINT vs. Nightcliff Tigers
Saturday February 14, 6:30pm @ DXC Arena

Bye: Wanderers