The NT News rates the performances of the five NRL NT women’s premiership sides

THE 2020 NRL NT season is heading towards the finals, but have the proven competition powerhouses lived up to their expectations?

Talia Corrie on the boil in the Sistaz match against Palmerston. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

COMPETITION has been fierce in the 2020 NRL NT Women’s Premiership with certain sides surpassing expectations and forcing proven powerhouses to up their game.

The Sistaz sit atop the table undefeated after nine rounds, a position that will have them favourites to take the 2020 crown.

But how did the NT News grade them and the other four sides.

DARWIN SISTAZ (A+)

Talia Corrie has been a consistent standout for the undefeated Darwin Sistaz this season. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

The side that has absolutley dominated the 2020 competition deserves nothing less than full marks.

Sistaz have hardly put a foot wrong all season scoring 238 points while conceeding just 28 points and are certain favourites to go all the way.

La-Toniya Norris has been a try scoring machine managing multiple scores in multiple matches, though her tally of five tries in her side’s 50-10 demolition of Palmerston stands out.

Though there is talent right across the team from experienced forwards Bianca Stokes and Bianca Scrymgour to talented backs in Tishara Cahill-Davern and Tahlia Corrie.

NIGHTCLIFF DRAGONS (B)

Nightcliff’s Ashani Bush proved herself a strong running option for Nightcliff when the side faced South Darwin in Round 7. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

Season 2020 has not been an outstanding one by the usual high standards of the Nightcliff Dragons women.

Injuries and player retirements have worked against the side who managed a two year undefeated run until the 2019 grand final.

But yet they still find themselves second on the table with Tamia De Araujo stepping up as one of the side’s big leaders under coach Baz Lewis.

Ella Cole and Shannon Hanning have scored well throughout the season and will be looking for more oppurtunities as finals approach while Ashani Bush is a strong running option for the side.

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PALMERSTON RAIDERS (B-)

Palmerston defence stops Sistaz Jade Jones-Cubillo. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

They didn’t have a team in 2018 and now they sit third in 2020 marking their improvement through the season.

Palmerston did not get off to the best of starts losing their opening three games to Sistaz, Litchfield and Nightcliff but fortunes have since turned.

Danielle Suddaby scored a combined three tries in her sides recent revenge wins over Litchfield and Nightcliff and will hope to rack up further points before season end.

Ruti and Joanne Faataofe have been consistently strong in the forwards while Danielle Smith and Kiah Hazel have also performed well so far this season.

LITCHFIELD BEARS (C)

The Bears are still in the title chase with a finals berth assured though their fortune though the Litchfield outfit would have wanted a couple more results through the regular season.

Led by Meg Clohesy the country club have come away with some significant results winning three in a row midseason to secure their invitation to the finals.

Though a recent loss to a Palmerston side finding form at the right time will not have pleased the Bears.

Genna Stiles and Erin Luchetti have performed well this season and will be looking to inspire an upset for thier side with their ability to score sure to show.

SOUTH DARWIN (D)

South’s Kirra Muggeridge with ball in hand. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

South Darwin started the season with a bang with a 34-22 win over Litchfield in the opening round and it looked to be a strong season for the Bunnies.

Cassie Ormsby and Tedisha Bush both scored multiple tries that day while Kirra Muggeridge proved herself lethal from the tee.

But things have gone downhill for the usually strong South Darwin since then with injuries setting in culminating in a Round 9 forfeit when faced with the prospect of playing Sistaz.

Blowout scores have hurt the side in the interim and they will be looking forward to a rebuild once the season is done.

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NORTHERN SHARKS (E-)

The 2019 premiers were not able to field a team in this year’s women’s competition. Will the club be able to rebuild from what must have been an extremely disappointing 2020.