PINT into first ever Women’s Premier League Grand final with big win over Nightcliff Tigers

PINT surged into their first ever women’s grand final on the back of a dominant opening half to win 7.3 (45) to 1.4 (10) over Nightcliff Tigers.

PINT's Katie Streader played a massive role in getting her side into the grand final. Picture: Aaron Black/AFLNT Media

PINT surged into their first ever women’s grand final on the back of a dominant opening half to win over Nightcliff Tigers.

The Queenants were looking for a big rebound after conceding their first loss of the season to Darwin Buffettes the week before.

But Nightcliff also had plenty on the line looking to continue their dream finals run in a match where a win would also see them play in their first grand final.

Nightcliff’s Olivia Hatzimalis may have got the upper hand of the opening ruck but it was PINT who dominated the early stages of the game.

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Katie Streader and Jasmyn Hewett in particular showed their experience muscling Tigers’ off the ball to push their advantage.

It was that midfield advantage that saw the Queenants take a stranglehold of possession to see Casey Morris, Amy Chittick and Jessie Baumer all take first quarter scores.

Eliza Morrison was all over the field for the Tigers picking up plenty of the football but found room through the PINT defence.

It wasn’t until the third quarter that the Tigers were able to bag a goal with Mickayla Ward booting the ball downfield to supply Kirsty Irvine with the score.

And as Tigers’ pulled themselves back into the scoring their opposition seemed to let off the pace in no small part due to the defensive work of Sophie Hatzismalis.

But PINT held on with a decisive goal for Hewett in the final quarter to put any suggestion of a resurgence to bed.

“We’re elated, just so pumped. We knew we had to come out and earn our place as we knew we weren’t going to walk into the final,” Streader told the NT News.

“We had to prove to ourselves that we had what it takes and we did that with every girl out there playing their role to get us over the line.

“We wanted to get the energy right, get out there, play for each other, enjoy the experience and leave nothing in the tank as we knew this was the last chance.

“Couldn’t ask for more from any of the 22 girls out there, just total commitment from everyone.

“To now be in that first ever grand final is pretty special and something no one will take for granted.

“We’re going to go out there and show what the hard work this season has accumulated towards and hopefully come away with the flag.”

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SCORE:

PINT: 3.1 6.2 6.3 7.3 (45)

Nightcliff: 0.0 0.1 1.3 1.4 (10)

BEST:

PINT: K Streader J Hewett M Gissing A Chittick H Grubb

Nightcliff: E Morrison O Hatzismalis S Hatzismalis L Gooden J Puautijimi

GOALS:

PINT: K Smits 2 A Chittick J Hewett C Fabris C Morris J Baumer

Nightcliff: K Irvine