Reigning WPL premier Waratah will have to regroup after a qualifying final loss to Southern Districts

SOUTHERN Districts moved to within one game of back-to-back Women’s Premier League grand finals after coming from behind to beat Waratah in the qualifying final

Buffette Rachel Henderson arrives too late to prevent Nightcliff’s Shantel Miskin-Ripia getting her boot to the ball. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

SOUTHERN Districts moved to within one game of back-to-back Women’s Premier League grand finals after coming from behind to beat Waratah in the qualifying final.

The Crocodiles booted three goals to two points in a barnstorming last quarter to record their third win over the reigning premier this season.

Young gun Grace Mulvahil booted two goals and picked up several crucial possessions in Districts’ win and Maria Moussa through the middle and down back had 30-plus touches.

Coach Tarmon Elliott was full of praise for his side, isolating Moussa and Mulvahil as keys to the nine-point win.

“Maria was an absolute ball magnet, she seemed to get 100 or more possessions and 16-year-old Grace is one our rising stars,’’ Elliott said.

“There was a lot of talk about being willing to do the hard work like extra running, protecting the ball carrier, and we needed a couple of leaders to stand up.’’

Tahs skipper Lisa Roberts said her side would go back to basics on the training track this week in an effort to get things right for the knockout final against PINT.

“They’ve been amazing with their hunger for the ball and never give up attitude means they’ll be a tough opposition.’’

Katie Streader and Rhiannon Fecht through the middle and four-goal forward Jessie Baumer were outstanding for the Queenants in their two-point win over a very good Palmerston side.

“We started the game running but needed to pull out all stops to get over the line,’’ Streader told the NT News.

“The plan was to defend as best we could when Palmerston came at us and we managed to hold on in a desperate finish.’’

Kylie Duggan through the midfield and Rachel Henderson down back starred for the Buffettes in their 11-point win over Nightcliff in the second elimination final.

The Buffettes broke a low scoring game open in the all-important third quarter when they kicked two goals without reply to take a 13-point lead into the last term.

“We toughed it out in the end,’’ coach Chris Atkinson said. “We played well as a unit and need to repeat that against a Districts side playing some good footy.’’