NPL WA Women's Round 18 Preview

Football West \\ Photo Credit: Robbie Anderson 1691123334,1691123514

NTC go into this weekend’s Round 18 league fixture against Subiaco in fourth place and three points clear of Balcatta Etna with a game in hand. Anderson said that while the games were coming in thick and fast, it was a chance to build on recent progress and reach September’s final in good form.

“Having so many games in a short period, we will have to recover well to make sure we are all set for each game. But it gives us an opportunity to build momentum at an important time of the season,” she said.

“We will take it one game at a time but continue to do what we do best. I believe when we play with confidence we are capable of causing damage to any team in the league.

“Everyone is really excited to have the chance to play at the new State Football Centre. We’re looking forward to facing MUM FC, who are always a challenging opponent, but we will all be up for the game and hope to win a piece of silverware.”

This weekend’s opponents Subiaco had their outside hopes of a top-four run dashed by a heavy defeat to Balcatta last time. But Greg Farrell’s side had won their previous two matches prior to Sunday and look to continue building with one eye on next season.

Etna are NTC’s closest rivals in the top four race and they face an important clash at home to Fremantle City on Sunday afternoon.

With games ticking down and Etna having played a game more, Yash Pratap’s side can ill afford to drop points if Balcatta are to reach the post-season for the first time in the NPL era. Freo are third with an eight-point buffer on Sunday’s opponents and victory at Grindleford Reserve will all but secure a top-four berth.

Murdoch University Melville are also in the hunt, but they are a further point back in the race ahead of this weekend’s game at Perth SC.

David Biancuzzo’s team are winless in five league outings despite back-to-back draws against top-four opposition and progression to the Women’s State Cup final. Itis a must-win game for them, given they have played more games than their play-off rivals.

Perth, meanwhile, return home to Dorrien Gardens for the first time since Round Eight due to their grounds use as a training base for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Despite defeat in the cup on Wednesday, and their eight-game unbeaten run coming to an end last weekend, Perth are likely to reach the Top Four Cup for a fourth successive season in the NPLWA – Women’s era.

Round 18 starts on Friday night when Curtin University host leaders Perth RedStar at Edinburgh Oval. It looks an extremely tough brief for Curtin, who are yet to take a point in 2023 ahead of this top-versus-bottom clash, while the defending champions are looking to move nine points clear in their pursuit of back-to-back NPLW titles.