Report by Tommy Doleman

Murdoch University Melville interim head coach Mark Jones and Balcatta head coach Tim Cash. Photos by Football West/FotoEnzo

Balcatta will be looking to collect their first silverware in the NPLWA - Women's era when they meet defending league champions Murdoch University Melville in the Night Series final.

Both teams go into Sunday’s showpiece at Macedonia Park unbeaten in their four pre-season games, but it is Balcatta who have caught the eye with good results against three of last season’s top four.

Tim Cash takes over as head coach this season having replaced Lisa Tana, who stepped down from the role at the end of 2020. And the former Floreat and Curtin University men’s coach has been impressed with the form his team have shown so far.

“I’m delighted with our progress. We’ve come through the pre-season, learnt, grown, developed relationships as a team and that has translated on to the pitch,” Cash said.

“The positivity within the group is high, the girls are doing really well and I feel our brand of football is coming to life.

“It’s provided a good platform and it’s been fun. We’ve been able to try things to set ourselves up for the season. But it’s also important to know there’s a way to go and this isn’t the end result just yet.”

Cash is excited to step into the NPL competition after multiple years coaching in the Men’s NPL and State League, believing it is an exciting time for the women’s game and the league in particular, given some of the talented players across the division.

But before the league begins in a fortnight, Balcatta will hope to repeat last season’s Round One NPL win over MUM FC when the sides meet again on Saturday. Cash believes it will be a great challenge for his young, new-look team.

“They (Murdoch) are a great side who I have a lot of respect for. Their patterns of play are identifiable, but it’s the old adage where you know what they can do, but can you stop them doing it?” he said.

“That will be the test for us. Not so much the moments when we are set up and organised, but the moments where we need to compete if we’re out of position.

“MUM FC will test us in every regard to that point. They have technical ability in all areas, so I feel it’s going to be a great test and hopefully we can be successful on Sunday.”

Despite losing to Northern Redbacks on penalties in last season’s Top Four Cup semi-final, Murdoch University Melville have seemingly picked up where they left off in 2020 with four wins from four this pre-season.

Ten goals have been scored by the league winners in those games and the attack will be bolstered further in 2021 by new signings Tia Stonehill and Abbey Green, with the latter set to return alongside Katarina Jukic upon the completion of their Westfield W-League commitments with Perth Glory.

Interim coach Mark Jones says he’s expecting a tough battle to end the Night Series campaign at Macedonia Park.

“I’ve watched a couple of Balcatta’s games already and they’ve improved from last season,” the former Newcastle Jets A-League head coach said.

“They’re a hard-working team who will pose a danger to anyone if you’re not on your game. We feel we can compete with anyone when we play well though, so we’re looking forward to the challenge on Sunday.”

Jones, who works predominantly as the club’s Technical Director, has enjoyed working with the women’s team this pre-season, while the club continue their search for a new head coach following Peter Rakic’s departure after last year's title triumph.

With over 20 years’ experience in men’s and women’s coaching, Jones is confident the inaugural NPLWA - Women's champions are ready to improve further and defend their title.

“It’s been pleasant to work with females who are W-League level players. Their ability to listen and take things on board has been excellent so far,” he said.

“We will enjoy the challenge. We’d like to win the league again, but we were disappointed not to make the (Top Four) grand final last year, so we would like to do both this time.

“But there’s also a goal beyond that where we ensure the players are playing well, showcasing themselves and giving themselves the best opportunity to develop and play at a higher level.”

Earlier in the evening, UWA Nedlands and South West Phoenix will meet in the final of the inaugural Women’s State League Night Series.

Both teams come into Sunday’s final in red-hot form following three wins from three and will look to lay down a marker ahead of the season proper.

UWA Nedlands have scored 19 goals in three games this pre-season, with Helene Williams’ hat-trick helping her side record a 6-3 semi-final win over Perth AFC.

Lucy Scott’s brace for Phoenix in a 3-0 win against ECU Joondalup ensured the South West side - the 2020 league champions - would reach the final, which is the prelude to the Women's NPL Night Series final.

SUNDAY MARCH 28

State League Night Series Final
5pm - UWA Nedlands v South West Phoenix 

Women's NPL Night Series Final
7.15pm - Balcatta v Murdoch University Melville