The second part of our NPLW WA Season Preview for 2023 looks at the teams we think may finish outside the Top 4.
Murdoch University Melville (MUM) FC
Coach: David Biancuzzo
Home Ground: Besteam Stadium
Season 2022: 5th
Honours: League Champions (2020, 2021) Top 4 Champions (2021) State Cup (2021)
For the first two NPLW seasons, MUM FC were the benchmark side with two league titles, a State Cup and a Top 4 Final win to their name. However last year many of the title-winning players from 2020 and 2021 left the club for various reasons. MUM FC also had to contend with a season-long injury to 2021 Gold Medal winner Tia Stonehill, and yet despite all of this, they missed out on a Top 4 spot by just two points.
There has been more player movement ahead of the season with Rachel Gillies moving to Preston Lions (NPLW Victoria) and goalkeeper Monique Todd returning to Sorrento FC.
New coach David Biancuzzo is upbeat about the season, after a strong Night Series saw them just miss out on a semi-final spot.
“Yes, the club has lost a number of top players these past 18 months, so missing out on the Top 4 in the last game against Perth was a remarkable achievement by the players and coaching staff. We have the majority of the team back, who played last season and they will all have a season of playing NPLW and they will be better for the experience.”
The team is very young, and even though many have a season of NPLW behind them they may not have the necessary experience to grind out results when the going gets tough.
Prediction: 7th
Balcatta Etna
Coach: Tim Cash
Home Ground: Grindleford Reserve
Season 2022: 6th. Runners up Night Series.
Honours: Night Series (2021)
Next up in our NPLW WA Season Preview is Balcatta Etna. They commence the 2023 campaign with Tim Cash returning as head coach after the club parted ways with Steve Atkins. Cash was head coach in 2021 and led the side to their only silverware so far, the Night Series trophy.
Like many clubs, there has been some player movement. Monique Gooding moved to Perth SC and Georgia Cawley has taken time away from the game. On the plus side, Balcatta welcome Kim McCartney back after an ACL injury. The club have also managed to capture the services of 2021 Football West Gold Medal winner Tia Stonehill, after a serious back injury in 2022 which kept her out for the season.
Cash was happy with a pre-season which saw Balcatta miss out on the Night Series semi-finals by goal difference. He is looking forward to what 2023 will bring:
“Our focus is on building a family-oriented culture with strong character. From this, we strive to achieve winning match performances that take the group as far as possible.”
The side has an experienced squad and will be bolstered by the return of McCartney and the signing of Stonehill. If Balcatta can stay fit and healthy they may challenge for a Top 4 spot, but this may just be out of reach for them this season.
Prediction: 5th
Subiaco AFC
Coach: Greg Farrell
Home Ground: Rosalie Park
Season 2022: 7th
The surprise package of last season, Subiaco stunned many with some of their results and finished with their highest-ever NPLW points total. The experience and guile of Lisa De Vanna, Ella Mastrantonio and Marianna Tabain undoubtedly contributed to the form they showed, but coach Greg Farrell is attempting to develop the women’s program to the point that Subiaco can produce NPLW-level talent.
As part of that process, a raft of new coaches have come into the club. Subiaco have also recruited a large number of players to build on last season, and Farrell is keen to continue this upward trajectory.
“For this season we are looking to add to the progress made last season in becoming more competitive in each game. If we can be in a position to be challenging for 4th or 3rd come the last round of fixtures, then we’ve made another successful step forward.”
Subiaco is still some way short of the level required to seriously challenge for the Top 4, but if they recruit some NPLW players then it’s not completely out of the question.
Prediction: 6th
Curtin University
Coach: Harry Smith
Home Ground: Edinburgh Oval
Season 2022: 8th
In late December Curtin announced the appointment of Alan Armstrong as their new NPLW head coach, making him the third full-time coach in 2022. By February Armstrong had departed and the team is now led by Harry Smith.
Smith had precious little time to get to know his team before the Night Series commenced and the results were not encouraging as they lost 8-0, 10-0 and 14-0 in the three group games.
As well as becoming the new coach, Smith has had to basically build a new squad from scratch after many of last season’s side departed. The appointment of Tiahna Botha as club captain is one bright spot, but she would appear to be one of the very few players that have any NPLW experience.
None of this bodes well for the coming season and it’s difficult to see them doing any better than in 2022 when they were wooden spooners.
Prediction: 8th
