DARWIN Buffettes are through to the semi-finals after keeping Southern Districts at bay in a tight nine-point victory at TIO Stadium on the weekend. The Buffs came in as the last finalist to make the post-season, but despite a fifth placed regular season performance, Darwin showed that post-season results are a restart.

It was not so much of a surprise given Darwin’s victory over Southern Districts in the run-in to the finals series, and though it was a tight, low-scoring contest, an extra goal in the second term proved to be the difference between the two teams.

Darwin moved to a 3.3 (21) to 2.1 (13) lead at the main break, and while that was hardly a game-breaking difference in most scenarios, it was the only quarter where they won by more than two points. In fact through the first and third terms each side kicked a goal apiece from their only scoring shots, while Darwin finished off the day with a 1.1 to 1.0 fourth stanza to take out the match, 5.4 (34) to 4.1 (25) and advance through to the second week of finals.

Ebony Abbott-McCormick was the sole multiple goalkicker for the Buffs, with Collingwood VFLW duo Dominique Carbone and Amelia Peck also hitting the scoreboard. Keanne Hart-Aluni drove the dagger into the hearts of Crocs fans with what turned out to be the sealer in the final term. Unsurprisingly, Carbone and Peck were among the standouts in the win, while competition legend Molly Althouse also stood tall, and India Barker impressed the coaches.

For Southern Districts, Eva Harris continued her wonderful season with half of her team’s majors, while Nayely Borg and Emma Forsyth finished with a goal each. Forstyth starred through the contest alongside usual suspects including over-ager Taelah Smith and consistent VFLW ball-winner Maddi Shaw, though it was not enough as the Crocs’ season came to a close.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS 1.0 | 2.1 | 3.1 | 4.1 (25)
DARWIN BUFFETTES 1.0 | 3.3 | 4.3 | 5.4 (34)

GOALS:
Southern Districts: E. Harris 2, N. Borg, E. Forsyth.
Darwin Buffettes: E. Abbott-McCormick 2, D. Carbone, K. Hart-Aluni, A. Peck

BEST:
Southern Districts: E. Forsyth, T. Smith, A. Smyth, E. Harris, M. Shaw
Darwin Buffettes: D. Carbone, A. Peck, I. Barker, E. Abbott-McCormick, M. Althouse

Darwin will now advance to the semi-finals where the Buffaloes will take on third placed PINT for a spot in the preliminary stage. The Queen Ants – keen to write the wrongs of a straight sets exit after being minor premiers 12 months ago – unfortunately went down to St Mary’s by 10 points as the Saints came good at the right time.

St Mary’s suffered a shock loss to Palmerston in the final round of the season, but that proved to be no more than just a reminder, as the Saints got back to business in the 5.9 (39) to 4.5 (29) victory. Led by Sarah Perkins, the former AFLW star slotted two majors and was named best on ground, while the likes of Lavinah Pollo and Shavayah Lee also hit the scoreboard and were named among the better players.

Despite the defeat, the experience of Reni Hicks and Jasmyn Hewett shone through, while the dangerous forward duo in Steph Lawrence and Jordan Membrey both scored amongst four individual goalkickers. The defeat was a blow for PINT who will now need to go the long way to get back to the grand final, but will head into the minor semi-final against Darwin as favourites.

FINALS WEEK 2 FIXTURE:

PINT vs. Darwin Buffettes
Saturday, February 28 @ 12:15pm
TIO Stadium

Nightcliff vs. St Mary’s
Saturday, February 28 @ 2:15pm
TIO Stadium