PINT going for premiership NTFL threepeat in season 2024-25
The Queenants are on the hunt for a premiership three-peat but new by-laws and a strong chasing pack won’t make that aim a foregone conclusion. Read how the women’s NTFL sides are shaping up.
PINT are going for a premiership three-peat in the NTFL women’s competition, but some changes and a quickly closing chasing pack won’t make the target an easy one.
The Queenants have been the side to watch winning three premierships from four seasons, though this will be their first since the dynasty begun in which they will be without coach Rick Nolan.
Fortunately, there’s plenty of leadership and footy nous around the squad to guide them to the top with new coach Emily Johnston and NTFL star Jasmyn Hewett.
They also have proven performers such as Amy Chittick, Reni Hicks and Eilish Grundon making their return alongside a squad that has performed at the top for years now.
“Our aim is to just continue on as we are building our club culture and our local talent, which has been our secret to success over the past three years,” Grundon said.
“It’s much the same group which speaks volumes to the culture at the club, but we’re also hoping to see some of the younger girls push up and get the opportunity too.
“They often refer to us as too old, too slow, but that’s what they said about Geelong, and like them then we’re still kicking every year.
“We’re going to go out there and try to be a bit more physical this season to elevate outsides, we just need to hit the targets, take the overhead marks and really bring the level up.”
St Mary’s were narrow runner-ups in last year’s grand final and with the intent of winning their first women’s flag since the 2009-10 season will be targeting another deep run.
In recent years they’ve been able to call in AFLW star and club junior Danielle Ponter in the back half of the season, while Jemma Iacono, Billie Byers and Janet Baird had great seasons too.
Nikita Long comes in as captain this season and after a hard pre-season under coach Ryan Smith feels her side are ready for another big push.
“We’ve been working really hard, there’s a few new girls down and our coach Ryan (Smith) is doing a really good job making sure we’re ready,” Long said.
“We’re all so excited to get back out there with a few of our girls coming back to live and a few coming up from the under-18s as well that will make a real impact.
“Last year’s grand final will be banked in our minds, we take that and move on but use it to push ourselves hard as it’s something we don’t want to happen again.”
The Nightcliff Tigers are another side to keep an eye out for as they’ve improved year after year and have converted what was a young group into title contenders.
Hannah Turnbull and Mickayla Ward are among the veterans in the side and are dangerous at both ends of the field.
Sophie Hatzimalis and Christy Landwehr are squad leaders and dominate possessions while Cassie McWilliam is a constant danger in front of goal.
Waratah will be without their captain Kierra Zerafa, who is pursuing a tilt at the AFLW, following in the footsteps of Annabel Kievet who made her debut this season.
There will however be plenty of experience still with Brittany Daly, Ruby O’Dwyer and Madeleine Jeans, while Jenna Singh-Lippo is a danger no matter what.
The side has also had a change of coach with Rob Cross coming in to lead the outfit after a successful stint from Heidi Thompson.
“The leadership group has been constant for us and the way they lead around the training track has just been fantastic,” Cross said.
“For us it’s really just to continue from Heidi Thompson and the great history the Waratah women have had all the way back to when women’s footy started in the Territory.
“There’s a great history and passion in the group and so the challenge is there for me and the group to keep the success going and keep playing good football.
The Darwin Buffaloes, who were the premiers in 2021-22, are the question mark side and if they can convert past success and their talented base should be a danger again.
They’ve consistently been a powerhouse in the women’s competition and have the likes of Bianca Stokes to help them find success.
Palmerston are another question mark, because if they build around the likes of young stars Ella Ward, Marika Carlton and Tatyana Perry they could be in the finals fight again.
Megan Craufurd captain again at Southern Districts, alongside Ashley Walsh, with the pair bringing experience to a side full of young talent such as Eva Harris, Bonnie Bennett and Cate Twaddle.
New coach Eddie Shearer brings a wealth of knowledge to the women’s outfit this season for a side that is continuing to build a strong junior core.
“We’ve been in pre-season for quite some time just getting out there and having some fun with really strong numbers,” Shearer said.
“We’ve got some really good young up and coming players who will shine on the big stage and some of our veterans returning.
“There will be a different look about us this season, you’re going to see some hungry players playing with some grit and determination.”
The Tiwi Bombers and Wanderers are others who will be hoping to lift owing to recent rule changes that could play to their benefit.
Wanderers’ Ivana Schober was one of the big performers at a club that struggled last season, while the Bombers will continue to build off the growth in the islands league.
Women’s sides have a new set of by-laws to contend with this season designed to lift the competitions intensity and build some parity among the nine clubs.
Changes include the introduction of a point system with each club allocated 30 points per match, assigned based on player’s previous clubs.
The top five sides from the previous three seasons are limited to one four point player, which is someone who played five games at another NTFL club the previous season.
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Originally published as PINT going for premiership NTFL threepeat in season 2024-25
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