St Mary's and Waratah recorded pulsating wins on week one of the 2023/24 TIO NTFL Women's Premier League finals.
St Mary's overcame a slow start to beat Nightcliff by 36 points in the qualifying final and set up a grand final qualifier against reigning premier PINT next Saturday.
The Saints' 8.10 (58) to 3.4 (22) win included a three-goal to nil second quarter that effectively sealed the result despite some hard pressing by the Tigers.
Nightcliff must beat beachside rivals Waratah in next week's first semi-final to continue their quest for a breakthrough WPL flag in the 2023/24 season.
Tahs ran away from a disappointing Darwin Buffettes after quarter time to record a confidence boosting 103-point in the elimination final.
The red and whites kicked six goals without a reply in the second term to race to a 40-point lead at half-time that placed one foot in week two of the premiership race.
From then on it was a matter of how far as the Heidi Thompson led Tahs produced a hard running, accountable performance that had their fans at full voice.
St Mary's coach Ryan Smith praised his players after a tough finals match produced their 15th win in seventeen outings this season, including a Round 15 draw with second semi-final opponents PINT.
"It was a strong finals game where it was physical and both teams put each other under pressure, which was good for the women's competition,'' Smith said.
"Teams seem to be coming out hard against us early and it's something we're definitely looking to improve in terms of managing the load and getting the right structures in place.''
Smith pointed to Caitlin Sargent's game across half forward as a leading light in his side's win, while reserving special mentions for Janet Baird, Billie Byers and AFLW star Danielle Ponter.
"Now we have to regroup and let the mind and bodies settle while we look to sharpen a few things so we can do what we normally do and have a real crack at PINT,'' he said.
Nightcliff started well but ran into a hardworking, committed Saints side after the first break and never found the fluency required to kick a winning score.
Christy Landwehr around the ball was their best player, while Sophie Berry and Mickayla Ward up forward were focal points.
Waratah coach Heidi Thompson did not think her side could have played the elimination final any better after their 17.10 (112) to 1.3 (9) blitz of the Buffettes.
Five goals from livewire forward Jenna Singh-Lippo on her return to the side from a dislocated shoulder suffered before the Christmas break was a big highlight.
"We're almost at full strength and there a lot of very pleasing signs leading into the game against Nightcliff next week,'' she said.
"Aggy (Singh-Lippo) was out for a long time and to kick five goals in her first game back, you couldn't have asked for more from her.
"Steph O'Brien was awesome through the middle in a game where we had many contributors.
"Alysha Healy was fantastic in the first half, Jamilla Cranny and Ruby O'Dwyer down back with Lisa Roberts, everyone contributed across the board.''
The Buffettes got maximum value from Molly Althouse in the ruck, while lone goalkicker Janna Ransome and skipper Bianca Stokes worked hard.
