THE past weekend saw some big scores in the Northern Territory Football League Women (NTFLW) Premier League, with one side stamping their authority as the team to beat so far this season. Five rounds have passed, so the sides with undefeated records would be proud of their efforts. The round’s action saw the ladder-leading Nightcliff Tigers take on PINT, who were last years premiers in one of the matchups of the year.

PINT 2.1 (13) def by. Nightcliff Tigers 8.10 (58)

The Nightcliff Tigers have announced themselves as the side’s strongest performing team so far this year, taking their record to five wins from five games as they defeated last year’s premiers by 45 points at TIO Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The win was set up by a dominant third term, where the Tigers were able to truly break away from their opponents and cruise home to their biggest win of the season so far.

The first quarter saw some hotly contested football, with both sides unable to deliver any one-sided attacks with some crunching tackles laid from players on both teams. It was PINT who were able to draw first blood, booting the first goal of the day through Claudia Fabris. It was the ideal start for the home side, as they looked to gain early ascendancy. Following this first blow, the ball continued to live between the arcs for the next few minutes, before the Tigers began to pepper the goals with multiple entries inside their forward 50. On the eve of quarter time, Nightcliff’s Cassie McWilliam kicked a terrific goal on the run to give her side a two point lead at the first break.

The second term saw more of the same contested action, with neither side breaking away due to some tough football being played, particularly in Nightcliff’s half of the ground. Much like the end of the first term, the Tigers continued to flirt with the idea of bursting away, but their inaccuracy prevented this. To add salt to the wound, PINT were able to retake the lead with a goal coming from Abby Cain‘s clever soccer along the ground. The Tigers bounced back shortly after, with McWilliam showcasing her class by winning a one-on-one at the top of the goalsquare before snapping around her body from a tough angle. Nightcliff’s lead was extended shortly after thanks to a ripping goal on the run from Andi Moliere, with the Tigers taking a 10 point lead into half time.

The second half opened with sad news, as PINT’s Kristine Markussen was ruled out with injury in the opening seconds of the quarter. The Tigers’ intent was on display early, with the side once again locking the ball in their half of the ground. This resulted in all goals for the term next in the Tigers’ column, with plenty of Nightcliff players getting in on the action. The ball movement was one-way traffic, as the Tigers took an unassailable lead into the final quarter.

The fourth term again belonged to Nightcliff, who were able to control the play with their defensive pressure and smart decision-making. They were able to once again hold their opponents scoreless as they piled on two more goals of their own. They were able to cruise home for their fifth win of the season, putting the rest of the league on notice.

For Nightcliff, McWilliam was terrific and a major source of offensive power for the side, as she looked a class above whenever the ball entered her vicinity. She was well-aided by teammates Monet Hunter and Georgia Johnson, both of whom delivered four quarter performances.

Around the grounds, Southern Districts was able to produce its best performance of the year, claiming its first win of the season with a 44-point triumph over the Wanderers in what was a telling performance. Defender Malory Nankervis led the way with a best on ground performance as she surely puts her name forward in the team’s best-and-fairest count for the season.

The Darwin Buffaloes continued their impressive run of form, defeating Tracy Village by a whopping 107 points as they remain undefeated after their four matches. The Buffaloes entered this match heavily favoured and were able to live up to the hype as they keep in touch with the top of the ladder. Bianca Stokes was terrific for the victors, standing out in a side that had plenty of strong performers.

The final match of the round saw St Mary’s produce a dominant performance, as they took down the Palmerston Magpies to the tune of 96 points on Sunday afternoon. It was a crucial victory for St Mary’s who keep in touch with the top of the ladder thanks to a percentage boosting win.

Photo: Celina Whan