2023/24 TIO NTFL Wrap: Women's Premier League - Round 13
The battle for the TIO 2023/24 finals in the NTFL's Women's Premier League took front row seats in Round 13 matches when the top sides flexed their muscles against teams in the bottom half.
Reigning premier and ladder leaders PINT won its 11th straight game with an authoritative 144-point over the winless Wanderers.
The Eagles got some joy from the game when half forward Anne Maries Collins booted a goal at the eight-minute mark of the first quarter to break a 12-game six-pointer drought for her side.
PINT were too organised and had too much class for their opponents in a performance that strengthened their claims to winning back-to-back premierships for the first time in the club's history.
Jasmyn Hewett's class and athleticism in the ruck, Carly Remmos and Reni Hicks around the ball and twin forward towers Eilish Grundon (6 goals) and Steph Lawrence (5) were big factors in the Queenants' win.
Coach Rick Nolan, refreshed after a weekend off as a wedding guest on the Gold Coast, was impressed with his side's polish on a day when a rain and a wet playing surface made for ordinary playing conditions.
"They played pretty well against a Wanderers side we want to look after as much as we can because they keep having a crack each week,'' he said.
Southern Districts had their best win since the 2018 premiership season when they beat the Darwin Buffettes by 14 points at Fred's Pass.
The Crocodile ladies kicked three goals to two in the last quarter to record a 6.9 (45) to 5.1 (31) win that had hometown supporters cheering for more.
Alessia Smythe coached the side in place of Peter Lake, who is attending a family bereavement in Alice Springs.
"The last time we played them made us realise we could beat them, so we brought that attitude into this week from the first minute and it worked out,'' Smythe said.
Michala Collins in an on-ball role, Emma Forsyth and Eva Harris were the best for Districts, while 16-year-old utility Summer Malone continues to impress with her fluent use of the football.
Waratah had to work hard to shake off the pacy Tiwi Bombers at Gardens Oval, eventually prevailing by 33 points after the Tiwis closed to within three points early in the third quarter.
Stand-in coach Andrea Lima said the Tiwis had come to play despite a three-goal to nil first quarter by Tahs that looked to have set up a comfortable win.
"They really showed us what they were made of in the second and third quarters and luckily we were able to come away with the points,'' she said.
Brittany Daly, Lauren Pluker and four-goal forward Hayley Finning were consistent performers after a win that kept Tahs third on the WPL ladder with five rounds left in the home and away season.
Nightcliff beat Palmerston by 49 points at Cazaly's Arena to stay fourth on the ladder and a game away from the coveted double chance when the 2023-24 finals series opens on Saturday, February 24.
Maighan Fogas, Christy Landwehr and vice-captain Sophie Hatzismalis impressed for the Tigers.
Coach Andrew Rock said his players' ability to keep to their team structures and play their own brand of football allowed them to break away from the home side.