Tahs sink PINT as the finals heat up

WARATAH has continued its hot finals form in scorching conditions, marching to a 34point win over reigning NTFL women’s premier PINT.

Waratah dominated the first half and maintained its lead for the rest of the game, ending PINT’s chance for back-to-back premierships.

PINT was one player down early, with Lisa Bleakley limping off with an ankle injury and failing to return.

In the second quarter, Waratah kicked three unanswered goals, including a gift from a 50m penalty, to open up a five-goal buffer at halftime.

PINT’s injury luck went from bad to worse.

Midfielder Amy Chittick had been doing a power of work through the middle before running the game out with a lower leg injury, while on-baller Hillary Grubb was moved to full-forward in the second half after some heavy knocks early in the game.

For Waratah, halfback Isobel Hartog ran all day, while Stephanie O’Brien was electric with her turn of foot and took several running bounces.

Waratah defender Isabella Rapson-Staropoli said postgame the team had hit its straps in the finals.

“It’s such an awesome feeling. We’ve been taking each week as it comes and we’re starting to gel really well as a team at the right time,” Rapson-Staropoli said.

Waratah will next week face Nightcliff for the chance to play Darwin in the grand final on March 19.