COVID has become an ever-present issue this season. The Curtin Uni v Football West NTC and Fremantle City vs Balcatta Etna games were both postponed as a result of clubs not being able to field a first team. There was no shortage of goals in the other two games though as Perth RedStar maintained their 100% record with a 3-0 win against MUM FC, whilst Perth SC knocked five past Subiaco.
Perth RedStar are the pacesetters
Games between Perth RedStar and MUM FC are usually very tight affairs. Last season it was these meetings that helped determine the outcome of the league. This time around though, RedStar was simply too strong for MUM FC and they continued the strong form they have shown all season. Fremantle City is the only team that has managed to score more than one goal against RedStar and no one has stopped them from scoring three or more. Larissa Walsh was once again on target and her brace on Saturday stretched her lead at the top of the golden boot race that she jointly won in 2021.
MUM FC are still a force
The MUM FC team that took to the field on Saturday contained just four players that were in the squad of 16 selected for the last league game of 2021 against Northern Redbacks. Poppie Hooks, Charli Wainwright, Clara Hoarau and Rosie Lehane are all that remain at MUM from that game, but the rebuild forced by departures and injuries to the others has been based around them. So far this season MUM FC have been competitive in all games except for the two against Fremantle and RedStar, and this shows that they will still be contenders for a top-four finish.
Perth SC are finding form
For the first time this season Perth scored more than three goals in a game – the aforementioned 5-0 win over Subiaco. They are now unbeaten in their last three games, with the win taking them to second spot on the table, ahead of Fremantle City on goal difference. As well as scoring five goals, Perth SC kept a clean sheet for the fourth time this season (only Hyundai NTC have managed to score against them).
The team welcomed Zoe Spadano back from injury and her two well-taken goals emphasised what an important player she is for the team. The other goals were all courtesy of winger Jaime Duncanson, who made a welcome return to the goalscoring circle with a hat trick. Perth SC will be glad that their top scorer from last season is back in the groove.
Subiaco: one step forward, two steps backward
In round five, Subiaco created a major upset when they defeated Hyundai NTC 2-0. However, on Sunday they ran into a strong and determined Perth SC team, conceding five or more for the second time in three rounds. They should still take heart from the performance though as they continued to play a passing game throughout the ninety minutes and stuck to the principles of possession-based football. Zara Board was again excellent between the sticks and blameless for the goals her team conceded.
COVID disruptions
The disruptions being caused by COVID are well documented, and there is no doubt that the high level of reported cases in WA is impacting clubs, but the question needs to be asked as to why U21 games are going ahead and yet 1st team fixtures are being postponed?
As we head into Round 7, Balcatta Etna has only played 3 games and has yet to play two consecutive games. No team has played six games, and half of them have only played four times. By contrast, only Subiaco has played less than five games in the U21 league. As the season progresses there will be more pressure for teams to complete these postponed games, and for Balcatta Etna, the situation is exacerbated by the lack of floodlights at Grindelford, so they will be unable to play midweek games under lights at their ground.
Click here for Round 6 highlights
Round 6 Results
Perth RedStar FC 3–0 MUM FC
Perth SC 5–0 Subiaco AFC
Fremantle City P–P Balcatta Etna
Curtin University FC P–P Hyundai NTC Women
League Ladder
| Position | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| 1 | Perth RedStar FC | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 3 | 23 | 15 |
| 2 | Perth SC | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 10 |
| 3 | Fremantle City | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 10 |
| 4 | MUM FC | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 5 |
| 5 | Hyundai NTC | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 10 | -6 | 4 |
| 6 | Subiaco AFC | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 18 | -15 | 4 |
| 7 | Balcatta Etna | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| 8 | Curtin University | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 14 | -12 | 0 |
