Report by Tommy Doleman

Baxter Thew (No.8) congratulates goalscorer Tia Stonehill in MUM FC's State Cup final win over Sunday's opponents Balcatta. Photo by Football West

Murdoch University Melville and Northern Redbacks show no sign of letting up in their outstanding NPLWA – Women’s title tussle heading into the weekend’s Round 19 matches.

Sadie Lawrence’s first-half goal helped MUM FC defeat Hyundai NTC 1-0 in Thursday night’s Round 16 catch-up game, a result which opened a two-point lead at the top over Redbacks whose game in hand is next midweek.

Both sides are in action on Sunday. Carlos Vega Mena’s Redbacks are away at bottom club Subiaco, while the defending champions meet Balcatta for the fifth time following two earlier league games, a Night Series Final and the State Cup Final.

Baxter Thew was at Balcatta before joining MUM FC for the 2020 season and warned her team-mates to be wary of her former club.

“I think the Night Series final is evidence that Balcatta are capable of beating us, so we’ll never underestimate them as a team,” she said.

“We’re going to have to be at our best, and even though the league results have been convincing, the games have been competitive. They’re a threat on the counter and had a few opportunities in the cup final too, so they can be dangerous.”

With both MUM FC and Redbacks showing no signs of dropping points, the likelihood is the title will be decided on the last weekend when the two teams meet.

“We’re hitting form and feeling confident. It’s been great having that title challenge from Redbacks, who are a good team, because it puts pressure on us to perform and the points are important every week,” Thew said.

“But I’m sure they’re feeling it too, given we’re nudging each other at the top of the league. We just try to focus on putting on a good performance, a good brand of football, and if we can do that the results take care of themselves.”

Thew has been a breakout star since the NPLW formed, having been a near ever-present in the league’s best defence over the past two seasons.

She grew up in Dunsborough and played in a few state teams prior to joining Balcatta, where she predominantly played reserves football and struggled to find a settled role in the team. The defender then trialled with Queens Park and joined a core group of players who came across to MUM FC from the Women’s Premier League.

“I was 100% an outsider! I was pretty much a nobody coming across from Balcatta’s U23s,” she said.

“I loved Balcatta and the girls at the club, but I just wasn’t cementing my place in the team and was struggling with my identity in terms of finding a specific position with regular game time.

“I was still a reserves player when I went to Murdoch really. But I played a few friendlies at centre-back under Pete (Rakic), started to do well, got to know the girls and flourished in that environment.

“Last season was massive for me. I was a little bit up and down with positions previously, but I feel like I’ve cemented a role at centre-back and the consistency of playing there has been huge for me. I’ve always lacked a bit of confidence, so that regular game time has helped me grow, and now with Mark (Jones) as a quality, knowledgeable coach, I feel I’ve learned so much again.”

That confidence has led to Thew becoming one of the league’s leading ball-playing defenders, which is a craft she has developed over the past couple of years.

“I’ve always been quite composed, but I understand sometimes there’s a time to get it out of trouble,” she said.

“We have a lot of good ball-players in the middle of the park and the expectation in our team is to play to feet and out from the back.

“When you have Sadie Lawrence, Jaymee Gibbons, Charlie Wainwright and Marianna Tabain ahead of you, if you’re not giving them the ball it’s a waste. So, the priority for me is can we play to feet, play a nice quick pass, get out of trouble and get the ball moving.

“I feel that’s what we’ve become really good at this season. Mark puts an emphasis on that, and it makes my job easier with the ball because I have those options to feet.”

Thew’s recent rise was acknowledged last year when she was invited to join Perth Glory’s train-on squad. The 22-year-old hopes to keep improving and is optimistic more WA-based players will continue to get a chance in the Westfield W-League.

“I think a lot of the girls in this league should have that ambition if they want to get there,” she said.

“The players at this level are more than capable and it’s something I’m looking forward to seeing in terms of girls from WA getting an opportunity, maybe even myself.

“I was a train-on with Glory last year and I’ve still got a lot of work to do. That was a real eye-opener for me in terms of recognising what I need to work towards to get to that level.

“Number one right now, I just want to enjoy my football and I love playing at Murdoch. But 100 per cent, I’ve got aspirations to hopefully play at a higher level one day, but we’ll see what happens!

Round 19 starts on Saturday evening as Perth SC and NTC meet in a key game for the Top Four Cup race. The game is the second match of a double-header at Dorrien Gardens, following the Men’s NPL clash between Perth and Sorrento.

On Sunday, Redbacks travel to Subiaco while Fremantle City looking to solidify their finals status against Curtin University.

Fixtures

Saturday (5pm)
Perth SC v Hyundai NTC

Sunday (3pm)
Balcatta v MUM FC
Curtin University v Fremantle City
Subiaco v Northern Redbacks