THE Darwin Buffettes stormed into their second Women's Premier League grand final in as many seasons when they beat minor premiers Nightcliff by 30 points in their second semi-final encounter.
Running into form at the right time of the season, the Buffettes kicked three goals to nothing in the first quarter to take control of the grand final qualifier.
Tayla Hart-Aluni was superb on the wing for the double blue jumpers, while skipper Kylie Duggan through the middle and the consistent Molly Althouse were key figures in the win.
"We're very relieved to be there (grand final) and absolutely deserve to be part of it after our efforts today,'' Duggan said post-match.
"I couldn't have asked more from the girls and Mel (coach Melinda Taylor) is really happy with the win as well after what we had to do to get to the grand final.''
Duggan praised the ability of Hart-Aluni and Althouse to consistently get the ball forward for the Buffettes and the work of Ebony Miller and Delsey Ah Wang in front of goals.
"Everyone played their role, our backline is always strong and now we've got the week off we can rest some sore bodies and begin to prepare for the grand final in a fortnight.''
The March 19 grand final against the winner of Saturday's Nightcliff-Waratah preliminary final will be the seventh time the Darwin women have been in the Big Dance, with the 2016-17 win over Waratah their only premiership to date.
Nightcliff's loss means they must beat Waratah in Saturday's preliminary final to get another shot at the Buffettes in the grand final.
Tahs ended reigning premier PINT's season with a workmanlike 33-point win over the Queenants.
The red and whites kept PINT to one goal in the first three quarters while kicking six of their own to put the result beyond doubt at the last lemon break.
Lauren Pluker was a big contributor to her side's win with a superb game in the defensive half, while Bronte Gaynor, Nikki Watts and Isobel Hartog also shone.
It also means a win over the Tigers in the preliminary final will lift Tahs into their 10th WPL grand final in 11 seasons, a triumph for the culture and will-to-win of the Gardens Oval club.
Their skipper Lisa Roberts said PINT had made her side work for the win despite the difference on the scoreboard.
"They certainly made us accountable, but the fact we're up and about right now and willing to work hard held us in good stead,'' Roberts said.
"We played four quarters of football even though PINT came at us in the last quarter, something we have to do for the remainder of the season.''
