PINT and Nightcliff were the big winners in Round 8 of the TIO NTFL's Women's Premier League.
The Queenants and Tigers have been regular finals participants in recent years and wins big wins over Southern Districts and reigning premier Darwin Buffettes would suggest that trend is set to continue in 2022-23.
PINT set up a titanic battle between the unbeaten sides by thrashing a spirited but outclassed Southern Districts in Saturday's lunchtime match at TIO Stadium.
Midfielders Reni Hicks and Tarah Hunt took their own footballs to the match and risked a case of leather poisoning with their ability to drive the ball forward.
Add forward target Steph Lawrence to that equation and the Queenants were able to dine out on the Crocodiles by booting 17.10 (112) to nothing in a commanding performance.
The 112-point win sent PINT to the top of the table on percentage from Tahs but level on the number of wins.
Coach Rick Nolan only has eyes on the red and white jumpers of Waratah when the WPL's unbeaten sides meet head-on in next Saturday's twilight clash at Marrara Cricket Ground.
"That's what we're about right now,'' he said. "Tahs are playing some good footy along with us and we want to see where we are at.''
Nightcliff bounced back from its upset loss to St Mary's last week by beating an inaccurate Darwin Buffettes in their grand final rematch at TIO Stadium.
The Tigers were hard at the ball, efficient through the midfield, and poised in front of goal where they booted six goals from 10 shots as opposed to the Buffettes, who were off target with their disappointing one goal from as many attempts.
Coach Shannon Millar was relieved to get back on to the winners' list after mixed results in the opening seven rounds.
"It was definitely a win we needed, particularly after the last few weeks when we didn't play our best footy,'' she said.
"This was a very good contest and intense game against a very good side where we were able to kick a little straighter that helped us come away with the win.''
Georgia Johnson through the midfield, Cassie McWilliam up forward where she booted three important goals and Bree Richards across half forward were all creative players for the Tigers.
The Tiwi Bombers levelled their win-loss record at 4-4 after a workmanlike 21-point win over an improving Wanderers at Tracy Village.
The Tiwis had five individual goalkickers in their 5.5 (35) to 2.2 (14) win that retained fourth position on the ladder.
Noreen Mungatopi, Maria Rioli, and Marietta Puautjimi were standouts in a win they had to earn against an Eagles side that got maximum value from Kirra Watson and Lai-Lee Chow.
In Sunday's game at Palmerston's Cazaly's Arena St Mary's extended their winning run to four matches with a comprehensive 40-point win over the home side.
Kaitlyn Armstrong kicked four goals for the green and golds, who sit comfortably in fifth position after the run of good form.
The Magpies were competitive after a messy first quarter when they failed to score, Jessica Fatnowna and Rose-Maree Goninon leading their list of good players.
