The final game of the 2023 WA NPLW season will see the teams who finished first and second in the regular league season play each other at the State Football Centre on Saturday.
Perth RedStar will be defending their Top 4 crown from 2022 against Perth SC in what promises to be a fitting climax to the 2023 season.
If the league champions are to win, they will be the first team since Northern Redbacks in 2004 to have successfully defended the league and Top 4 double. In order to do so though, they must overcome a Perth SC team looking to win its first-ever Top 4 trophy in the Women’s game.
Perth RedStar put on an impressive display when these two teams met in the semi-final last Sunday, running out 5-1 winners on the back of a powerful second half in which they scored four unanswered goals.
The defeat for Perth SC meant they had to front up on Wednesday evening and take on the Hyundai NTC, who had defeated Fremantle City 3-1 in their semi-final.
A fine first half with goals from Gemma Craine, Ella Lincoln, and Faye Phillips was enough to see them into the final, which will be a repeat of the first final of the season, when Perth SC defeated Perth RedStar in a penalty shoot-out in the pre-season Night Series final.
Both coaches have a good deal of respect for their opponents as they explained when talking to Football West’s Tommy Doleman earlier in the week.
“We always relish the opportunity to play against RedStar because they’re the best team in the league, the most mature and experienced side, and it’s always a good challenge for our girls to try and match that level,” said Perth SC coach Pete Rakić.
Rakić was confident in his side’s ability to win the trophy, but recognised that they needed to be focused and switched on if they were going to succeed.
“The biggest thing for us this weekend to give ourselves the best chance of lifting silverware is making sure we stay tight, keep to our game plan and really keep to those one-percenters we showed (against Hyundai NTC). I think if we can put that all into play then we will give ourselves a chance on Saturday and we’re going to go out and give it everything.”
His opposite number, Carlos Vega Mena, also knows his team face tough opponents on Saturday.
“It’s always a tough game with Perth SC who are a great team and have some very talented individuals, so it will be a good challenge again,” he said.
He feels that his team is ready though and highlighted their desire to win as a key factor for their success.
“The good thing for the girls is they’re always motivating each other for every game they play because they want to win every game. That’s what the focus will be again this week and then we can reflect afterwards to see whether we’ve been able to do the League and Top 4 (double) again.”
This will be the sixth encounter between these two teams this season, with wins for the Azzurre in the Night Series and State Cup, whilst RedStar won one of their three league encounters and were victorious the last time they met.
Results are often very tight, but the last two games have seen RedStar win 4-2 and 5-1, so the form book will make them the favourites.
In order to win, RedStar will need to keep ex-Perth Glory player Craine at bay, and also keep an eye on Lincoln who has had a fine season for the Azzurre. Their back line has also been impressive with Rebecca Bennett again showing why she is one of the best keepers in the league.
RedStar have attacking threats of their own though and in Reina Kagami they boast the best midfielder in the competition, scoring a hugely impressive 21 goals during the season to finish second in the race for the Golden Boot.
At the back, Kim Carroll and Andi Teixeira have both had excellent seasons for RedStar, and with captain Jay Coleman back from her calf injury they look to be back to their best.
Before the first teams take to the field, the U21 Grand Final will be played between league champions Balcatta Etna and runners-up Perth RedStar.
NPL Western Australia Women’s Grand Final
Perth RedStar vs Perth SC
WA State Football Centre, Queens Park
Saturday 16 September, kick-off 4.15pm (6.15pm AEST)
📺 Live coverage available via Streamer
