WARATAH created its own piece of Premier League history when it beat the heavily backed St Mary's in Saturday night's NTFL qualifying final.
Given little hope of a breakthrough win in a qualifying final since the format was installed in 2007-08, the red and white jumpers came from two goals down at half-time to win by 15 points.
That means they meet beachside rivals and reigning premier Nightcliff in Saturday's second semi-final to decide who takes the short route to the March 19 grand final.
St Mary's must now get past Wanderers in the knockout first semi-final to keep their hopes of a 33rd senior flag alive.
Meanwhile, Wanderers overcame a slow start to end Southern Districts' season with a 12-point come-from-behind win in the elimination final.
The Eagles' magnificent defence won them the match, with Brodie Newman, skipper Braedon McLean and young gun Lloyd Johnston inspirational across half back.
Wanderers won the game in the all-important third quarter, booting 3.7 to Districts' two points to take control of the match.
Newman, one of his club's big hopes in this season's Nichols Medal after another stellar Top End season, said the win in sloppy conditions on a rain soaked TIO Stadium had been a big confidence builder for the players.
"Anything can happen from here, we'll have to be pretty good to go all the way from here, but we'll be giving it our best shot for sure.
''Saints are a well drilled side who gave us a reality check (in the last minor round game) so we certainly know what to expect from them.''
Waratah skipper Brodie Carroll said his side's underdog tag going into a big final against a side they had not beaten all season had inspired the players.
"We love being the underdogs and we came out and stayed with the gameplan that has stood up for us all season,'' he said.
"I knew the boys could do it by playing one-on-one footy and sticking to our structures, it's an unreal feeling at the moment to win a big final against a club like St Mary's.''
Tahs had plenty of good players, none better than Will Collis, Brodie Carroll and Abe Ankers around the ball, the unheralded Tom Cree and full back Daniel O'Dwyer, who kept the league's leading goalkicker Jackson Calder to a solitary major.
In Women's Premier League the favourites prevailed in contrasting fashion.
The in-form Darwin Buffettes watched PINT kick the first two goals of the qualifying final before fighting back to tie the scores at the fulltime siren.
Three behinds in two five-minute halves of extra time were enough to steer the double blue jumpers into this week's grand final qualifier against minor premiers Nightcliff.
Skipper Kylie Duggan and tireless ruck Molly Althouse led from the front for the Buffettes in what coach Melinda Taylor called a pass mark in a test of resilience.
"The game was far from free flowing, the girls had to work hard when the chips were down and I was very proud of their courage and will to win,'' Taylor said.
PINT must beat elimination final winners Waratah in another knockout final and either the Buffettes or Nightcliff in the preliminary final to earn a birth in the grand final.
Waratah beat a disappointing St Mary's by 84 points, with skipper Lisa Roberts through the midfield and five-goal forward Stephanie O'Brien dominating the green jumpers.
"Belief was the key to our win, belief in the team we had out on the ground and the knowledge we could win the game after Saints beat us twice in the minor rounds,'' Roberts said.
