The NT News reveals the Women’s team of the year back line of the NTFL 2020-21 season

THE NT News has chosen its best women’s side from players in the Women’s Premier League. Today we select our back line. Find out WHO MAKES OUR BEST SIDE here

Waratah stalwart Lisa Roberts lines up a kick. Picture: Tymunna Clements / AFLNT Media

THE 2020-21 Women’s Premier League season will be remembered for its lift in standard and big number of interstate recruits.

PINT dominated the home and away season, winning all 16 games under coach Rick Nolan while the Darwin Buffettes, St Mary’s, reigning premier Southern Districts and Nightcliff made up the top five.

It was also a season when several interstate recruits made the trek to Darwin to get the feel of a football after the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc with competitions in the southern states.

Selecting a team of the year from a competition that outstripped any previous season for its skill and intensity was always going to be tough, particularly when several players from the top 25 from the mid-season report were left out.

BACK POCKET - ISABELLE PORTER (ST MARY’S)

St Mary's Isabelle Porter has the footy in her sights on a muddy day at Gardens Oval. Picture: Tymunna Clements / AFLNT Media

A player with high aerobic fitness who can run all day. Reads the play superbly and is never afraid to take the game on with her athleticism and ability to present herself at contests.

The NT News reveals the Women’s team of the year midfield of the NTFL 2020-21 season

The NT News reveals the Women’s team of the year forwards of the NTFL 2020-21 season

The NT News reveals the Women’s team of the year interchange of the NTFL 2020-21 season

FULL BACK - LISA ROBERTS (WARATAH)

Lisa Roberts looks for a teammate further down the ground. Picture: Tymunna Clements / AFLNT Media

The reigning Colleen Gwynne medallist was again the mainstay in Tahs’ defence with her uncanny ability to read the play, strong marking overhead or on the chest and accurate kicking to position. In the top three players in the league for the past four seasons, Roberts played her 200th game in a red and white jumper this season.

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BACK POCKET - RHIANNON BUSCH (SOUTHERN DISTRICTS)

Southern Districts' Rhiannon Busch had an impressive season. Picture: Aaron Black / AFLNT Media

A utility player best suited to the backline where her strength at the contest, ability to lead from the front and disciplined style of play can turn defence into attack. Was in her side’s best players in six of the 11 matches she played and captained the NTFL side in their win over SANFL club Glenelg in January.

HALF BACK - BELLA CLARKE (SOUTHERN DISTRICTS)

Bella Clarke has been in top form for Southern Districts winning the Crocs’ best and fairest. Photo: Felicity Elliott / AFLNT Media

Won the Crocodiles’ best and fairest award in a season where the word consistency was stamped all over her. Can set up play with smart disposal and runs all day in her midfield role with the Crocodiles. One of the league’s rising stars who will feature highly in club and representative football in the years to come.

CENTRE HALF BACK - JEMMA IACONO (DARWIN BUFFETTES)

Jemma Iacono was named the Buffettes best and fairest. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

Another club best and fairest winner where her ability to read the play and direct operations from the key defensive post made her a vital cog in a Buffettes side challenging PINT for the WPL’s Holy Grail. Her big strengths is intercept marking and hardness at the ball.

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HALF BACK - HILARY GRUBB (PINT)

Hillary Grubb provides a big engine in the PINT backline. Photo: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

A superbly fit player with a big engine who runs all day. From a netball background, her attacking and defensive skills make her an important cog in the Queenants’ pursuit of an historic first WPL flag. Has played with VFLW club Collingwood as a winger where her leg speed and hand skills have been big assets.