Darwin Buffettes premiership player Jemma Iacono defects to St Mary’s for the 2022-23 Women’s Premier League season

Darwin Buffettes’ premiership defence in 2022-23 has taken an early hit after two of their star players defected to a rival.

Darwin Buffettes’ premiership defence has suffered an early hit with the defection of Jemma Iacono and Tikesa Docherty-Cole to St Mary’s.

The Buffettes beat Nightcliff in the 2021-22 Women’s Premier League grand final by 18 points amid emotional scenes at TIO Stadium, avenging a heartbreaking 11-point loss to PINT the previous season.

But they’ll have to defend their title without Iacono and Docherty-Cole who played 15 and 17 matches respectively in a premiership-winning season.

Iacono will be a big loss, with more than 100 games of Women’s Premier League experience, represented the Territory against Woodville-West Torrens in January this year and won the club’s 2020-21 best and fairest award.

Docherty-Cole was also a Territory representative last season.

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Coach Mel Taylor said it was disappointing news but her players were effectively “free agents”.

“While it’s disappointing to see them go we wish them well for the season ahead,” Taylor said.

“We have some really, really great players coming in so it will be another great season.”

Jemma Iacono with the 2021-22 premiership cup. Picture: Julianne Osborne

Iacono will be welcomed with open arms by the Saints, who were blown apart in the elimination final by Waratah to the tune of 84 points at TIO Stadium in the first week of finals.

Teen Saint Emma Stark, who will once again mix her playing career as an emerging half forward and onballer with an umpiring role in the NTFL and the AFLW, understood Iacono simply wanted a “new start”.

“It will be really exciting to play with her,” Stark said.

“She’s moving over from Buffaloes. She was in the premiership team last year.

“She just wanted a new start. These things happen.”

Kylie Duggan, who played for the Darwin Salties in NBL1 North in 2022, is pumped for another season with the Buffettes. Picture: Supplied.

The Saints also have a new Women’s Premier League coach in Paul Magher, who has been involved in football since the mid 1980s, including stints at the Geelong and District Football League and AFL Cairns, as both a player and mentor.

“The team is looking really good. It’s a clean slate as well, he’s over from Queensland and he has a really strong football background,” she said.

Meanwhile, Buffettes premiership player Kylie Duggan said Darwin would also miss Dom Carbone, who was best on ground in their 18-point grand final win, after being recruited by Hawthorn’s AFLW team.

“We’ll definitely miss Dom in the midfield,” Duggan said, who will also mix football with senior women’s basketball each weekend.

“It’s a different look this season.

“I can’t wait for the season. (Footy) brings Darwin alive.”