The return of Jasmyn Hewett to add firepower to reigning premiers Pints ahead of Round 5

THE return of Jasmyn Hewett will give reigning premiers Pints a bit of confidence ahead of their grand final rematch game against Nightcliff Tigers in Round 5 of the Darwin Netball Premier League

Pints Elizabeth Paice has been one of the standouts in her side so far this season. Picture Glenn Campbell

THE return of Jasmyn Hewett will give reigning premiers Pints a bit of confidence ahead of their grand final rematch game against Nightcliff Tigers in Round 5 of the Darwin Netball Premier League.

Pints have struggled with player numbers in the early rounds, currently sitting fourth on the table on equal competition points with Waratahs.

However, there were plenty of positives to pull from their close fought 43-37 loss to league leaders Tracy Village Falcons.

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Coach Kathy Kellam was particularly pleased in the way a whole new defensive line kept the game competitive against Falcons.

“We were quite short against Falcons with a whole new defence line so I thought we did well despite our limited numbers only losing by five points,” Kellam told the NT News.

“We only have three or four players from last year.

“We’re going through a bit of a rebuild and had to call back some seasoned players so hopefully the results come our way later on.”

But the reigning premiers will get a big boost this week with the likely return from injury of defensive mainstay Hewett.

Hewett was named best on court in last year’s grand final, and also took home both the Colleen Gwynne and Brenda Williams medals for PINT in the 2020-21 NTFL Women’s Premier League.

Meanwhile, Liz Paice has once again been a standout in the side, moving from centre to cover goal defence, while Barbara Ilett is tough to play against in defence.

Pints next face second-placed Nightcliff Tigers and will come against an established unit, including a strong defence led by Katie Elmer.

“Hewett coming back gives us a big boost in both defence and confidence with the girls feeding off the energy she brings,” Kellam said.

“It will be a tough match. They have a lot of the same players they had last so we will probably go in as the underdogs.

“For us it will be about putting in that four-quarter effort, being consistent at the goalpost and applying plenty of pressure.”

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Other games this week will see Tracy Village take on new side Banks Bulldogs, and Waratahs take on a Hoggies outfit looking to take out their first win of the season.