Live stream: Dylan Landt, Mickayla Ward among key players to watch in NTFL preliminary finals
A grand final berth is up for grabs as four of the season’s top performers clash in a preliminary final bonanza on Saturday. We take a look at the players who could make the difference.
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A spot in the grand finals are on the line as four of the top performers from the 2023-24 NTFL and Women’s NTFL seasons get ready for a preliminary final bonanza on Saturday.
St Mary’s and Nightcliff will do battle for the fourth time this season in the women’s showdown from 4pm.
Saints will also be contesting the men’s match when they take on Southern Districts from 6.45pm. This is a repeat of last season’s preliminary final.
We take a look at just some of the players who are set to stand out in the two big games.
WOMEN
ST MARY’S
Jo Miller
Miller was missing from her side’s semi-final loss to PINT to be part of her SANFL side’s pre-season, but will return for the remainder of the finals.
Saints named her their best and fairest for the season for her ability to find the footy out of the contest and send it forward.
Danielle Ponter
The Adelaide AFLW player was the best on ground the last time St Mary’s faced Nightcliff.
What Ponter offers, both on and off the ball, is well documented whether she’s in the midfield or further forward. The star player is always a threat and, for that reason, PINT made a point of shutting her down last weekend.
What sort of treatment will Tigers give her?
Billie Byers
A consistent ballgetter in the Saints set up and crucial in just about everything that goes right for the Green Machine.
Works brilliantly in the middle with rucks Paula Pavic and Jemma Iacono, and has more than proven why she won the Big Rivers best and fairest. Expect a big run or two out of the midfield.
Janet Baird
The former AFLW listed player kept her side in the contest in the early stages last time these two sides met.
The defensive standout has been given a license to play as a utility and collects possessions at will. A similar performance this time around will put her side in very good standing.
Emily Forshaw
The Saints skipper was impressive in a losing effort against PINT, working tirelessly in a defensive unit that was under pressure all match. A brave player who performs beyond her size, smothering efforts and tackling hard.
If she can emulate Ruby O’Dwyer’s efforts for Waratah last week against this same Tigers side, she will have a good day out.
NIGHTCLIFF
Mickayla Ward
Ward has been the Tigers best player of the finals so far and will need to carry on that elite form if her side is to stay alive.
Great in the contest, she knows how to win the ball and brings experience to a young side. Most importantly though is her role as a key forward and kicking goals.
She will be well aided by Sophie Berry and Cassie McWilliam.
Sophie Hatzismalis
Hatzismalis played a crucial tagging role on the prolific Jenna Singh Lippo in the battle against Waratah, limiting the x-factor’s impact.
She’s got the speed to match it with the top attackers, and will be crucial against the likes of Danielle Ponter and Emma Stark.
Hannah Turnbull
The Tigers skipper has been up there with the best defenders all season.
She commits in her role as the last line of defence and has had many a big battle against the best attackers in the competition.
Leads well from the back and will have a keen eye on just about everything that happens on Saturday.
Christy Landwehr
Landwehr has continued her excellent season for the Tigers into the finals series, where she has been a constant challenger for the ball. She picked up a team high 18 disposals last time her side clashed with Saints, and will need another healthy contribution if her side are to win.
Maighan Fogas
Arguably Nightcliff’s most consistent player throughout the season and a big threat on the ball.
It’s a testament to her skill that she’s been tagged so heavily in the first two weeks of finals, but the Tigers will want to see her unleashed this time against the Saints.
Fogas is a player who never stops running, even when the going gets tough.
MEN’S PRELIMINARY FINAL
ST MARY’S
Dylan Landt
The reigning Nichols medallist and skipper is always going to have an influence on a match.
He will be eager to have a big one after being kept quiet, by his lofty standards, against the Tigers.
If he gets loose he’s sure to gather plenty of the ball and will be a threat across the midfield, as well as in front of goals, where he will target his trademark running goal.
Jackson Calder
There’s few goal kickers who have had a greater haul of majors over the past five years than the Saints tall.
And in a second quarter surge last week he proved just how dangerous he could be, scoring four goals on the bounce against the Tigers.
If he can get under the ball, there’s little reason why he can’t kick a few more against the Crocs.
Nate Paredes
Paredes has been one of the best midfielders in the competition for several years - and has really hit an exciting level since the Christmas break, thriving in contested situations as an inside midfielder.
Paredes’ clearances are a forward’s dream. He tops the score assist count with 40 from 15 games.
Seth Harris
The youngster has already cemented his place as one of the leading lights in the men’s competition, adding to a formidable Saints midfield.
He ranks highly among a group full of proven ballgetters.
Kieran Parnell
Parnell is often given the task of manning up on the toughest forwards.
Whether it’s Jarrod Brander, Jonathon Ross or Dylan Barry, he’s more than held his own.
The entire Saints defence will be looking for a sharp increase in performance after a slow start against the Tigers.
Southern Districts
Jed Anderson
Anderson has been the biggest recruitment of the season. The AFL 99-gamer slotted perfectly into this Districts outfit and is among the favourites to take the Nichols.
The Croc is a big possession getter with an even bigger boot, which if it isn’t knocking the ball between the uprights is finding someone else who will.
Jye Bolton
He has more than shown why he is so highly rated in the WAFL, where he twice won the Sandover Medal while playing with Claremont.
A certified ball magnet with 219 disposals to his name from just seven appearances, and a player who possesses a thumping boot.
Teams up well with the likes of Matthew Johnston and Beau Schwarze.
Jarrod Brander
The tall forward hasn’t maintained consistency throughout the season, constantly seeking goals whether botting them himself or setting one up.
He’s a crucial player in the Districts spine.
Wyatt Ryan / Matt Dennis
These two go hand in hand as Districts’ powerhouse ruck duo.
Nightcliff’s Liam Buxton took Saints apart early on, and this pair are more than capable of emulating that performance in the prelim.
These two are ranked second and fourth respectively for hit outs and are likely to generate plenty of first use footy for their side.
Matthew Mazzini
Mazzini has had a standout season in Districts’ defensive set-up, playing a key role in many a tough battle against the league’s best scorers.
His NTFL rep team selection was no fluke and he’s well tested against his likely opposition, Jackson Calder.
Works incredibly well in tandem with fellow defenders Jordyn Cotter and Mitchell Burgess.
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