2023/2024 TIO NTFL Wrap: Women's Premier League - Round 15

A top-of-the-table draw between reigning premier PINT and St Mary's and Waratah's fighting 14-point win over a rejuvenated Wanderers in their Foundation Cup game grabbed the headlines in Round 15 of the 2023/24 TIO NTFL's Women's Premier League.

Elsewhere, Palmerston and the Tiwi Bombers kept their finals flame flickering with convincing wins over Southern Districts and the Darwin Buffettes.

But all eyes were on the battle between unbeaten ladder leaders and reigning premier PINT and last season's preliminary finalists St Mary's at TIO Stadium, where four points and premiership favouritism were up for grabs.

Given match-of-the-round status and a 7pm game on TIO Stadium's No.1 ground, the game lived up to pre-match predictions in a wet and slippery clash that produced eight goals and plenty of heart stopping moments.

St Mary's kept their rivals scoreless in the first quarter but trailed at the last change by a goal after a PINT comeback.

Goals to Jordan Mifsud from a free kick and 50m penalty levelled the scores early in the last term before Saints' Paula Pavic repeated the dose to give her side the lead midway through the quarter.

That left PINT's Carly Remmos to produce the game equaliser when she goaled from a set shot right in front after another free kick and 50 metre penalty.

PINT coach Rick Nolan, fresh from leading the Territory women to a gut wrenching win over Essendon's VFLW side on Wednesday night, said Remmos' 50m penalty that brought her within range of the goals had been "lucky''.

"It was a hard slog in the wet all night and we were lucky to get a 50m penalty at the end that got us a draw,'' a relieved Nolan said.

"St Mary's played really well and there's no doubt we'll meet them in the finals at some stage.''

Both sides had plenty of good players, Reni Hicks and Remmos out of the middle and defender Kate Atkins stood out for PINT, while Jemma Iacono's 150th game and the class of Danielle Ponter and Jo Miller were big factors for a Saints side focussing on finals football.

Saints coach Ryan Smith was pleased with his side's intensity over the four quarters, saying their maturity and ability to learn what was required in big games continues to develop.

He praised his senior players Pavic, Ponter and Nikita Long for their leadership on a wet and difficult night for football, where courage and an ability to find the football were important factors.

Waratah coach Heidi Thompson said her side's win over a Wanderers side that made 12 changes for their Gardens Oval clash had been a hard day's work after the winless Eagles threw everything at Tahs.

"It was certainly a competitive game from both sides, with the big number of fly-ins by Wanderers adding an extra bit of strength to their side,'' Thompson said.

"We had quite a few outs, so I'm really proud of our girls and impressed with their efforts in getting the win in those circumstances with torrential rain and howling win making it pretty tough out there.''

Naomi Celebre up forward was Tahs' best, kicking a miraculous goal in the second quarter that lifted her side after a scoreless first term.

Key defender Ruby O'Dwyer and ruck Erin Hunt were other good players for the third-placed red and whites, who moved a game clear of an idle Nightcliff in the race for the coveted double chance.

Palmerston beat Southern Districts by 35 points at Cazalys Arena, keeping the Crocodiles goalless in a win that gave them a six-point buffer in the race for an elimination final berth.

The Magpies gave popular teammate Joanne Huddleston a 150th game gift while strengthening their finals ambitions with a 6.1 (37) to 0.2 (2) win.

Coach Matt Rea said the club wanted to celebrate the milestone by collecting the four points on offer.

"The girls were terrific in the conditions by being competitive and tackling fiercely all day, factors that made sure they delivered a win,'' Rea said.

"All we can do in search of finals footy is to keep winning and hope for the best, the girls are playing some good footy and with the Div 2 side on top of the ladder the club is in a good position.

Ella Ward in the ruck, Jahla Hunt through the midfield and Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap across half back were standout players for the Magpies.

The Tiwi Bombers won their fourth game of the season with a comprehensive 53-point win over the Darwin Buffettes at TIO Stadium.

The Tiwis won the game in the second quarter when they kicked four goals without a reply, reviving their slim finals hopes in the process.

Coach Will Baird said wins over Southern Districts in Round 16 and a last round win over Palmerston meant it was mathematically possible to make the top five.

"It's still alive for us, but we have to win those two games and try and steal one from PINT,'' he said.

"We moved the ball better with our speed against Darwin ...and really took the game on, which was great.

"Placing Sarah Darcy down back where she took a series of good grabs and was absolutely fantastic played a big part in the win.''

Joanna Lin and the consistent Maria Rioli were other good players for a Tiwi side running into good form.