West Australian Football League premier Claremont burst the Northern Territory bubble in women's representative football when they won a tough, physical encounter on Sunday night.
It was the first defeat in three outings for the Territory side, who had comfortably accounted for SANFL clubs Glenelg and Woodville-West Torrens in their previous encounters.
Claremont did not kick a goal in the first quarter but rallied strongly in the second and third terms to win 5.3 (33) to 3.4 (22) in front of a boisterous crowd at Darwin's TIO Stadium.
The WAFL Tigers produced a high-pressure, strong-tackling game from the moment Brooke Elliott kicked their first goal seven minutes into the second quarter.
The Territory had kicked the first two goals through Billie Byers and Maria Rioli and looked on track for a third consecutive win over interstate opposition.
Claremont players who had struggled to find a pathway to goal suddenly found space with fast, play-on football and a series of strong marks.
New Tigers recruit Jayme Harken kicked the goal of the match from an angle to grab the lead for the first time when she sidestepped the Territory defenders in the shadows of half-time to snap her side's third goal.
Adele Arnup's two third quarter goals sealed the win for the West Australians after they had led by a single point at half-time.
Claremont had many good players in an even spread across the ground, including the dangerous Arnup in front of goals, Charlotte Tompkin and AFLW draft hopeful Mackenzie Webb.
Their coach Jack Schwarze liked what he saw from his players after a scoreless first 25 minutes spent adjusting to the heat and Sherrin football as opposed to the Burley brand they use in Perth.
"I was very impressed, it took us while to get going in what was obviously our first game of the season,'' Schwarze said.
"Our hands were elite throughout the match, with our handpassing a massive factor for us in how we work the ball out of congestive situations.
"We thought it was going to be really slippery out there when it wasn't, the conditions were great.''
The NTFL side was best served by Stephanie Lawrence through the middle, Molly Althouse up forward, and Jemma Iacono and Elisa Niki in defence.
Coach Melanie Taylor was proud of her side's efforts against a quality side in Claremont.
"The girls played their hearts out, they couldn't have given any more,'' Taylor said.
"A few things didn't go our way, but that's footy. I'd love to do this again, it's great to coach the NT, I just wish I could do the Territory more prouder.''
