THAT is a wrap for the first week of finals with some expected and surprising outcomes. Waratah showed why they are still the team to beat after a tug-of-war ended in a decisive victory over Palmerston. The Pies looked the goods early, but the Warriors were the team that played out four quarters of football. Southern Districts smashed St Marys for the third time in a row. The Saints had no answer for the Crocs and finished the season on a low. The final elimination match saw the Buffs outlast Pint in a low scoring affair. The Buffs will now meet old rivals Warratah while the Southern Districts face off against Palmerston.

WARATAH: 3.0 | 4.4 | 8.9 | 8.11 (59)
PALMERSTON MAGPIES: 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.1 | 5.2 (32)

Goals:
Waratah: S.Puruntatameri 3, A.Chittick 2, J. de Melo 2, S.Nalder
Palmerston: S.Bush 2, F.Puruntatameri 2, C. Lloyd

Best:
Waratah: A.Chittick, L.Roberts, J.Kolodzeij, R.Pryer, S.Bishop
Palmerston: G.Garling, T.May, V.Mounsey, J.Baird, J.Stassi

A good start in the first quarter saw Palmerston up with three unanswered goals thanks to Freda Puruntatameri and Shenaida Bush. Unfortunately for the Magpies, they found out why the Warriors have won six out of the last seven premierships. Waratah flipped the switch in the last few minutes of the first term to kick three instant replies. Going into the second quarter both teams were neck and neck.

That balance quickly shifted as Waratah flexed their muscles. Skipper, Lisa Roberts rose up to the occasion for her 150th game, pushing to a new level as the game went on. Amy Chittick found it tough to replicate her usual performance, but still managed to put two majors on the board. However, the real game changer was Sherayn Puruntatameri pushing forward to bag three goals. Jessica Stassi and Tabitha May fought valiantly in the midfield, but the Pies’ forward line was well held by Sharona Bishop and Rebecca Pryer. Their efforts put a halt to the Magpies’ forward efforts until the final quarter when the game was out of reach.

Palmerston will have to regroup and prepare for the Southern Districts next week, while Waratah will face the Buffettes with all the confidence in the world.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS: 2.1 | 7.3 | 8.8 | 11.9 (75)
ST MARYS: 0.1 | 0.1 | 2.2 | 2.3 (15)

Goals:
Southern Districts: T.Thorn 2, M. Moussa 2, E. Miller 2, H. Englehardt 2, C. Deegan, B. Clarke, K. Patterson
St Marys: Not supplied

Best:
Southern Districts: Not supplied
St Marys: Not supplied

The Saints struggled against the Crocs for the third game in a row in what was a consistent outing for these two teams. The Crocs got the upper hand early with the Saints scoring only one behind for the quarter as Tayla Thorn kicked things off by booting the first two majors of the opening term. The onslaught continued in the second term as the Crocs hit the scoreboard hard. Districts’ best and fairest Ebony Miller pushed forward to kicked two majors while Indy Sleeth controlled the ruck. Matters got worse for the Saints when Maria Moussa popped up with two goals of her own. The Saints went into the third quarter with only one point to their name, proving their troubles down the field.

St Marys managed to kick two goals early in the second half, but the Crocs quickly replied with one of their own. Charles Deegan had no issue showing her skill by kicking a major off one step. In the final term, the Saints had lost hope and the Crocs kicked two more late goals to end St Marys’ season. Now they will get ready to face Palmerston who they haven’t beaten all year. This will be the ultimate test for the Southern Districts.

PINT: 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 1.2 (8)
DARWIN BUFFETTES: 0.1 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 3.5 (23)

Goals:
Pint: K. Streeder
Darwin Buffettes: N. Dunn 2, M. Taylor

Best:
Pint: Not supplied
Darwin Buffettes: N. Dunn, D. Tootham, K. Duggan, D. Ah Wang

This was a very tight and exhausting game as both teams struggled to get a score on the board. By the end of the first half, the only scores produced were Darwin’s two behinds. Stoppages were everywhere in this contest with most players struggling to find space. Pint’s Katie Streader broke the drought with the Queen Ants finally kicking the first goal of the match in the third quarter. Melinda Taylor responded with one of her own as Darwin went into the fourth term four points in front.

A hero finally came in Nicollette Dunn who booted the last two goals to seal the match. The efforts of Kylie Duggan in the midfield and Delsey Ah Wang in the backline were outstanding. The pair held it together when most couldn’t on a hot day. Unfortunately, they will now have to meet Waratah in the Semi-Finals, who look invincible after pounding the Magpies.