5 Things From NPLW WA Round 13

The spate of COVID-affected matches earlier in the season has meant that many teams have had to play catch-up games recently. There was another rescheduled fixture last Wednesday when Balcatta Etna FC took three valuable points home, beating the team that was one spot above them in the ladder (Fremantle City) 2-1.

A win against the same opponents in Round 13 on Sunday would have lifted Balcatta Etna into second place, but Fremantle had the upper hand this time and reversed the score to win 2-1. This has pushed Fremantle into the second spot, albeit thirteen points behind the leaders Perth RedStar.

On Saturday evening RedStar continued its unbeaten season with a 2-0 win away from home against last season’s treble winners MUM FC. The opening game of the round on Friday saw Hyundai NTC smash seven past bottom-of-the-table Curtin University to open up a gap between themselves and sixth-placed MUM FC. 

The other game of the round (Subiaco vs Perth SC) was postponed.

Penalty kicks galore

The two games this week between Balcatta Etna and Fremantle were filled with excitement and high drama, including a total of no less than five penalty kicks.

In Wednesday evening’s game, Fremantle took the lead in the first half, but a penalty kick awarded to Balcatta in the 77th minute was converted to give them the equaliser. Fremantle then earned a spot-kick of their own in the 87th minute, but Gabby Dal Busco pulled off a terrific save to deny them and her team then snatched the three points with a dramatic late winner in the 92nd minute.

On Sunday, the teams faced off against each other in the reverse fixture and once more Fremantle took a one-goal lead. However, they were pegged back again when Balcatta won a penalty in the first half. Balcatta was then given a second penalty after the interval – this was saved not once, but twice, as the referee ordered a retake due to encroachment. Fremantle goalkeeper Dayle Schroeder was swamped by her teammates after the second save.

There was another penalty in the game between Hyundai NTC and Curtin University, but this one was much more run-of-the-mill and had little consequence on the result as it was the seventh goal in a 7-0 win for the home team.

Squad depths are being tested

With a spate of COVID catch-up games, State Cup matches, injuries and COVID-related illnesses, many teams are having to dig deep into their playing stocks to get sides out onto the field. If you throw into the mix the fact that many players in a lot of teams are young and inexperienced, then you get some highly variable performances week in and week out, especially from those teams sitting just outside the top four.

It’s perhaps no coincidence that the two teams with the most experienced players are currently sitting first and second on the ladder.

Perth RedStar keep rolling on

It’s now been 12 straight games without a defeat in the league for the table toppers. They were also unbeaten in the four games of the pre-season Night Series competition and are in the last 16 of the State Cup, having beaten State League Side UWA in the previous round.

The team have a highly experienced core of players, but they are supplemented by bright young talent and players from the U21 squad who are keen to show coach Carlos Vega Mena they are worthy of a 1st Grade spot.

The 2-0 win on Saturday was an example of them not panicking despite a determined defensive display by MUM FC, and RedStar was confident that their style of play would eventually lead to the opposition being worn down and a goal being scored.

Their dominance in the game was borne out by the stats – a shot count of 23 to 5 in their favour, plus over 600 passes made with 82% accuracy and 65% of possession.

Jamie-Lee Gale is back to her best

Fremantle’s Jamie-Lee Gale has been playing at the top level for a long time now, but last season she took a break from the game.

She has returned this season and is playing with a newfound vigour. Her goal return is impressive with eight goals so far this term, including a current run of a goal a game for the last three games.

Gale also seems to be relishing her role as a senior player in the squad and is a crucial reason why Fremantle have remained in the top 4 all season.

The top 4 is finally starting to take shape

With so many lost games due to COVID, it’s been difficult to get a clear picture as to who are the main contenders for a top 4 spot, with all bar Curtin University staking a claim at some point. However, the catch-up games played over the last couple of weeks have allowed some clarity to emerge.

Unless Perth RedStar is hit by an unprecedented injury crisis, they will surely feature in the finals, whilst Perth SC and Fremantle are also highly likely to be there. The fourth spot is still very much up for grabs though. MUM FC can’t be written off just yet, but the seven point gap between them and fourth-placed Balcatta Etna is going to be difficult to overcome with just nine games left.

Balcatta Etna currently holds the box seat as they occupy fourth spot. Still, they must continue their recent run of good form if they are to hold off the challenge of Hyundai NTC in order to make their first-ever finals appearance since the start of the NPLW era. The NTC side has shown they are capable of holding their own against most teams, so the run-in will be intriguing.

Click here for Round 13 goal highlights

Round 13 Results

Hyundai NTC Women 7-0 Curtin University FC
MUM FC 0-2 Perth RedStar FC
Balcatta Etna FC 1-2 Fremantle City FC
Subiaco FC P–P Perth SC

League Ladder