Football West News

Katarina Jukic, right, and Ellie La Monte, second left, have scored 12 goals between them in four games. Photo by Rob Lizzi

The NPLWA Women’s competition delivers again with four of the top five meeting this weekend.

Third-place Hyundai NTC, fresh from their 6-1 win over Fremantle City, are at home against Balcatta, who are fifth.

Then Northern Redbacks, in fourth, host leaders Murdoch University Melville.

MUM FC’s attacking approach has caught the eye in the opening rounds. In four games they have scored 17 goals, 12 of which have come from Katarina Jukic and Ellie La Monte.

Peter Rakic’s side are above second-place Perth SC on goal difference and considering how congested the league has been, that could be telling later on.

“The girls are finding momentum, they’re scoring goals and keeping clean sheets. That’s important seeing how tight the competition is,” MUM FC's head coach said.

“It been a good start. We had a bit of a hiccup against Balcatta (in Round One). I put that down to nerves and blowing the cobwebs away. Since then things have gone well.

“With our formation, it is heavily revolved around the front three and the full backs … if I can have them fit and firing all season I’ll be very, very happy.”

Rakic has been involved with many of his team for a number of years, having led Queens Park to back-to-back Under 23 titles and working with the Queens Park first team alongside current NTC head coach Ben Anderson.

“When Queens Park didn’t make the cut to the NPL, a lot of us moved over to Murdoch,” he said.

“There’s a lot of experience in the side and that’s big, especially when it comes to those high-pressure games. They do get us over the line, and don’t crumble under pressure. It was experience that got us over the line recently against Perth.

“I think the girls relish those opportunities and they want the hard football and want to fight. It lifts the quality of their game.”

Looking towards to this weekend’s game against Northern Redbacks at Kingsway, Rakic added: “I don’t think there’ll be much deciding this game.

“They are very disciplined defensively, a tough team to break down. It really could go either way.

“You want an even competition across the board, each week we see results what surprise us. Fremantle, who won the Night Series, beaten last week 6-1 by NTC. And a couple of weeks ago NTC drawing with Subiaco. It’s exciting.”

By the time Murdoch kick off on Sunday they could have been replaced at the top by Perth SC, who are at Curtin University on Saturday afternoon.

Perth eventually broke down Subiaco last Sunday, with Abbey Meakins scoring twice in a 3-0 win.

Her second was particularly eye-catching and followed another strike from outside the box against Balcatta two weeks earlier.

Meakins this week spoke to NPLWA Women’s match commentator Tommy Doleman about that effort and her return from injury following an ACL injury she suffered 16 months ago.

"Having that moment of recognition with the girls was so important after the hard work I've had to put in, because I really didn't think I'd get out there as soon as I would, so it was an amazing feeling to score,” the former NTC and Perth Glory forward said.

"I was in space and I knew in advance of coming on that I was going to have a shot. Gabby (Balcatta keeper Gabby Dal Busco) was off her line a little and I just wanted to get into the game early.

"Luckily it went in because it was a close game and we really needed the goal as it turned out. It was great for the girls to get another win."

To read Tommy’s full interview with Abbey Meakins, CLICK HERE

The first game of the weekend is tonight, with Subiaco and Fremantle City meeting at Rosalie Park (kick-off 7.30pm).

ROUND FIVE FIXTURES