The NT News reveals the Women’s team of the year interchange 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 interchange. Find out WHO MAKES OUR BEST SIDE here

Nightcliffs Lauren Gooden has been an asset for the Tigers. Picture: Glenn Campbell

THE 20-21 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.

INTERCHANGE:

CASEY MORRIS (PINT)

Casey Morris has cemented herself as one of the first picks for the Queenants. Picture: Glenn Campbell

An underrated player who booted 18 goals in 15 games for the Queenants in a reminder of her rise from a good player to one that is among the first picked. Hard at the contest and difficult to man up with her movement around the ground and up forward where she has a big appetite for goals.

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

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

LAUREN GOODEN (NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS)

Nightcliffs Lauren Gooden can play in the foward line and ruck. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Her first season in the yellow and black of Nightcliff after crossing from St Mary’s. A goalkicker who can play in the ruck where she is a strong mark with a long kick and great elevation. Best suited to the forward line where her anticipation and ability to read the game are big parts of Nightcliff’s structure.

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MALORY NANKERVIS (SOUTHERN DISTRICTS)

Southern Districts' Malory Nankervis has often turned defence into attack for the Crocs. Picture: Aaron Black / AFLNT Media

Nankervis’ 15 games in the last line of defence were full of merit with her strong marking and ability to run off opponents a key factor in Districts’ run to the finals. A close checking, rebounding player who can turn defence into attack.

MORGAN JOHNSTON (WANDERERS)

Wanderers' Morgan Johnston gets another possession on her way to a breakout season with the WPL Eagles. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

The Eagles’ ball magnet was named in her side’s best players in nine of the 11 games she played. An outstanding season in a struggling side where her consistency attracted the attention of SANFL club Norwood where she will play in 2021. Can play through the middle, up forward or down back as required.

EMERGENCIES:

ISABELLA RAPSON (WARATAH)

Isabella Rapson has been a consistent asset in the Tahs’ defence. Picture: Aaron Black / AFLNT Media

A consistent defender who can play in a key position or be used as a sweeper through the back pocket and across half back. Her consistency showed with several top five performances in the side’s best every week.

ZHOE CLARKE (TRACY VILLAGE)

Tracy Village skipper Zhoe Clarke has put in a strong showing for her Razorbacks each week. Picture: Aaron Black / AFLNT Media

The Razorbacks’ skipper led the way every week where she was named in the side’s best players 12 times in the 16 games she played. The Villagers showed enough in a winless season to suggest better times are ahead and with Clarke at the helm they have the leader to get them there.

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COACH - RICK NOLAN (PINT)

Rick Nolan has been the standout coach in his first year in chage of the Queenants. Picture: Little Big City Media

The standout coach of the season in his first year in charge of the Queenants. A deep thinking coach who burns a lot of midnight oil when analysing his own players and those on the opposition, Nolan has his side undefeated going into their second consecutive finals series after years in doldrums.