The 2024 NPLW WA Night Series Final will be played between Balcatta Etna FC and Perth RedStar FC at the Sam Kerr Football Centre on Saturday.
The game will be the third successive Night Series Final for RedStar coach Carlos Vega Mena and the second successive one for Balcatta Etna FC coach Peter Rakic, who was at the helm when Perth SC clinched the title after a penalty shootout against Perth RedStar last season.
The sides met in the group stage of the competition with Balcatta Etna winning 2-0 to top Group A, ahead of Perth RedStar who finished second.
Balcatta Etna have had a very impressive night series so far, having won all four of their games and conceded just one goal.
The arrival of Peter Rakic from Perth SC in the off-season has heralded a huge turnover of players in the squad, meaning it’s unrecognisable from the Balcatta side of last season. A significant number of experienced Balcatta players have left the club since his appointment, but he recruited heavily from his old club and also brought in players from Fremantle City to compensate and has created an exceptionally strong squad with no real weaknesses in any area of the pitch. Results so far suggest he has successfully integrated his slew of newcomers with the remaining Balcatta squad from 2023.
One of those recruits, goalkeeper Rebecca Bennett, has been in fine form, and her performance in the 2-0 semi-final win against Fremantle City was one of the highest order. She made several vital saves to ensure a clean sheet and will be a formidable barrier to RedStar in the final.
She spoke about the pre-season and the large number of new players in the squad earlier this week:
“It’s been really good so far, a lot of focus has been on the way that Pete wants us to play as it’s a completely new concept to some of the existing Balcatta players. I feel like it’s been positive and everyone is on the same page moving forward.
“It does feel like something brand new, obviously it’s amazing being able to play alongside players that I’ve had to compete against over the last few seasons, and that I have played with previously. I’m so excited to be a part of it and see what we can accomplish,” she said.
Perth RedStar’s campaign has been more hit and miss, with a win, draw and a loss to Balcatta in the group stage, but a solid 3-0 win against Perth SC in the semi-final thanks to a Caitlin Doeglas hat trick suggests that the group may be starting to find its groove again.
There have also been changes in the Perth RedStar squad with ex-Matilda Kim Carroll and last season’s captain Jay Coleman taking time out from the game. They have also seen the departure of Japanese import Chiori Ikeda and lost forward Sophia Neal to the dreaded ACL rupture during the game against Balcatta. To compensate for the losses they have brought in ex-Perth Glory striker Doeglas, plus Gabby Dal Busco and Lauren Continibali from Balcatta Etna.
Doeglas has been in fine form already and her five goals in the competition are a sign that she is settling in at her new club. She spoke about how she has found moving into a new environment:
“It’s been the easiest transition I’ve ever had into a team. I love the spread of younger players and senior players and I feel like I slot right there in with some of the senior players. I’ve played against RedStar and Redbacks for ages and it’s always intimidating from the outside looking in, but they are the best bunch of girls and the club’s been nothing but helpful. So it’s been really good.”
Playing against Balcatta means she will be against one of her old clubs, and she will also be up against many players she had played with when she was at Perth SC so we asked her for her thoughts about the new changes.
“Peter’s recruited so well, and they’ve got strong players everywhere you look. There’s no real definite weakness in their side and I look forward to watching them for this season. (I think) the final is going to be a really good game.”
The game on Saturday will pit the two sides who many pundits are tipping to be the main challengers for the league title against each other and, as such, it should be a terrific game. The match in the group stages was a high-intensity affair with neither side giving an inch and this is likely to be repeated in the final.
Both teams like to play a possession-based game and the winners will likely be the ones who can control the tempo of the game through the midfield. Both sides have game-winners in the final third. Balcattas pacey duo of Monique Prinsloo and Lucy Jerram will mean the RedStar defence will have to be fully focused throughout the game, whilst Doeglas has shown she will capitalise on any chance or half chance that comes her way.
The Balcatta team will have the edge in terms of experience as the RedStar team will have several younger players in the starting XI and this could be the decisive factor in determining the result.
PREDICTION
Balcatta 2-1
