Waratah played themselves back into the premiership race when they beat the in-form Nightcliff by 26 points in their Women's Premier League clash at TIO Stadium.
The Round 9 lunchtime game was supposed to follow the script that had Nightcliff winning its sixth match in a row since losing to frontrunners PINT and St Mary's in the first two weeks of the season.
But last season's grand finalists hit the ground running, holding the Tigers goalless in the first quarter before running to a 26-point lead at quarter-time and a matchwinning 32 points by the last change.
The red and whites did not score in the last term, but still restricted their opponents to a single goal to record a win coach Heidi Thompson described as a sorting out match.
"It was one of those games that sorts you out as to where you are in terms of the top four and it's given us a bit of confidence going into the second half of the season,'' she said.
"It was really pleasing to start strongly, we had a bit of a chat about it after quite a few games where we started slowly and had to work our way back into the game.''
Molly Cooper's clearance work in the ruck was a big factor in Tahs' win, while two-goal forward Grace Eden at centre half-forward and Madeleine Jeans around goals were other good players.
High flying St Mary's had to work hard to beat a determined Darwin Buffettes in their 2pm game at TIO Stadium.
The Saints won the game in the first half when they held their opponents scoreless, but struggled in the heat against the hard tackling Buffettes in the second half when they outscored four goals to two.
Coach Ryan Smith said his players had found it tough in the last quarter after a strong first half.
"Buffs continued their physicality which didn't help as well, but in the end it was a good, resilient win that will help set us up against the Tigers this weekend,'' he said.
"This week's win was a good maturity game for us, a close game that will help us all get a little bit better with a long season to go.''
Chinette Grant on a wing ran hard all day, along with Ciaralii Parnell in her return to the side on a back flank and skipper Emily Forshaw in a utility role were the pick of the Saints players.
The Tiwi Bombers gave their home fans at Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island some early Christmas joy when they beat the young Wanderers side by 138 points.
The Bombers' second win of the season was due to Maria Rioli's four goals from a forward flank and four-quarter performances by Glenelg (SANFL) skipper Elllie Kellock in an on-ball role and Jazmin O'Donnell in the ruck.
"It was good to see the Tiwi girls playing their own stye of footy on the island, which of course worked out well for us,'' Baird said.
"It's a good result for us after a long losing streak, hopefully we can go with it on from here.''
Ladder leaders PINT did not have it all their own way against an enthusiastic Palmerston at Cazaly's Arena.
The Queenants kicked seven goals without a reply in the first half before the Magpies kicked four goals in the second half to equal PINT's output.
The 11.7 (73) to 4.4 (28) was defending premier PINT's eighth in a row since the start of the season.
Midfielders Carly Remmos and Ruby Benham were the best for PINT, while Casey Morris at centre half-forward was a good contributor for her side.
