Reigning premier Waratah at the head of the pack as the 2019-20 WPL turns for home

THE closest Women’s Premier League season in NTFL history resumes in 12 days time

PINT’s Kirsten Smits gets her kick away under pressure from Magpie Natasha Medbury. Picture: Glenn Campbell

THE closest Women’s Premier League season in NTFL history resumes in 12 days time.

Eight sides are in contention for a finals berth in late February, a tribute to the commitment and intensity of the 10-team competition.

Reigning premier Waratah has wasted no time re-establishing their authority by taking a 10-1 record into the Christmas break and a six-point gap on the chasing pack.

First year coach Trudy Hopgood has Lisa Roberts, Amy Chittick and Lauren O’Shea leading the charge towards another finals campaign.

But the challengers are looming, including Chris Atkinson’s Buffettes, who won their first six games before injury and unavailability set in.

Atkinson lost Michaelia Roberts to AFLW club Collingwood in a major blow for the playing group, but the ability of Alyssa Eres, Dominique Carbone and Jemma Lacono to step up has the double blues on track at Christmas.

Troy Lewer’s Palmerston are poised to make a big impression in the post Christmas season with Natasha Medbury, Janet Baird and Tabitha May ready to change gear in the run home.

The Magpies look even stronger when Fred Puruntatameri runs out of the middle and Arthurina Moreen kicks goals, something both players need to do on a consistent basis if the Magpies are to fly.

Tarmon Elliott’s Southern Districts loom as the danger side in the run home to the finals.

The Crocodiles’ win-loss record reads 7-4 after 11 rounds, but that includes two losses in the administrator’s office due to team sheet discrepancies.

Tayla Thorn will not be part of Elliott’s plans because of AFLW commitments, but goalkicker Ebony Miller, Lateesha Jeffrey and Tahlia Holtze definitely are.

David Totham’s Wanderers enter the last seven games full of self belief and confidence in each other.

The fifth-placed Eagles are ready to fly after six wins, a record boosted by the good form of Pierre-Angelique Koulakis, Sophia Mauboy and the consistent Shekeine De Satge.

PINT is well placed to play a part in the finals after midfielder Katie Streader’s return to the fold and the Shannon Miller coached Nightcliff are on the verge of a debut finals series.

Danielle Chisholm’s St Mary’s are only half a game away from the top six and will test all of the sides above them.