Report by Tommy Doleman

Zara Board and Georgia Cassidy will go up against each other this weekend after sharing success with the Junior Matildas. Photo supplied

Round 19 of the NPLWA - Women’s competition sees Hyundai NTC and Subiaco AFC meet in the final game of the weekend on Sunday, where two of the WA’s rising stars will feature.

NTC’s Georgia Cassidy and Subi’s Zara Board recently returned from Indonesia where they were part of the successful Junior Matildas squad which won the inaugural AFF U18’s Women’s Championship Trophy.

The Junior Matildas conceded only one goal on route to an unbeaten tournament that culminated with a 2-0 win over Vietnam in the final. Both WA players played a part throughout the competition, which pits together the strongest junior footballers from the South East Asian Nations.

“Obviously, it’s been a few years since we’ve been able to travel because of Covid. So, it was nice to get the call saying we could finally go to a tournament and getting together with some of the best U18 players in Australia was an amazing experience,” goalkeeper Board said.

“For a lot of the girls it was their first time travelling internationally. I was part of the leadership group with a few of the other girls and it was good to help out. I feel we gelled really work and worked hard as a team.

“Just to be able to get in the squad is such a big achievement, especially since 15 of the 28 were part of the NSW Institute. So, for myself and Georgia and the interstate girls to make the squad was really good.

“We came together well, got to know each other, and learning each other’s style of football in such a short amount of time was a big achievement for the group.”

Cassidy agreed and was proud of the performances from the team, given the quickfire nature of the tournament.

“It was a good experience to play with the different girls who aren’t in your state and having that opportunity to play a different kind of football, which is much quicker than I’m used to in WA,” the midfielder said.

“It was very scheduled while we were there. We had games every second day and it was quite hot, but the training sessions we had were well organised and we were constantly doing different things.

“I feel that considering we were all from different states we bonded really well, which for people our age was really good. And considering we hadn’t really been together for quite a while, to play for only a little amount of time, and come out of it with a win was really good for us.”

Cassidy has been part of the NTC system for six years, having previously played with local club Woodvale FC as well as the junior boys’ side at ECU Joondalup. Board, meanwhile, played through the ages at Melville City, before later being part of the NTC setup as an associate while at Murdoch University Melville for the first two NPL WA women’s seasons.

“It means the world. I didn’t really think anything of it until we got over there. Then we got the kits and saw our names on the back of them and it was all a bit surreal,” Cassidy said when asked what it meant to play for Australia.

“When I got to lift the trophy, it was such a big experience for me because I’d never really won or done anything like that before. It was just an amazing feeling.”

Board added: “It was an honour and a privilege to represent my country and I’m proud that all the hard work and sacrifice is paying off.

“I’ve been putting a lot of hard work in with my goalkeeping coach Dave Whalley who has trained me since I was 11. And I’ve also been working with Two Halfs on my strength and conditioning, which I think really helped me get over the line to make the squad. Even with that amazing feeling of winning, we’re still pushing really hard to develop and improve.”

Cassidy and Board now turn their attention to Sunday’s meeting at Rosalie Park where both should take to the field. It is a big game for NTC, who are in the finals mix. But as well as facing Junior Matildas teammate Board, Cassidy will also come up against three full Australia internationals.

“Coming away with the three points against Balcatta (last weekend) was really important because we’ve struggled against them a few times this season. The win was needed and was good for our confidence as a team,” said Cassidy, who came on as a substitute on her return from the AFF tournament.

“I think everyone is excited. We just need to come through this weekend against Subiaco and win the game. We’re pretty excited to play against Lisa De Vanna, who has long been part of the Matildas … it will be a real challenge for us but I feel we can do it.”

Subiaco’s faint hopes of making a late finals push have been snuffed out with successive losses to champions Perth RedStar and Perth SC. Board returned to the starting line-up in Wednesday night’s catch-up game against the Azzurri and believes there is still plenty to gain from the remaining weeks of this season.

“It’s been amazing to have such high-level role models in the team, with Maz (Marianna Tabain), Ella (Mastrantonio) and Lisa having all played at international level. Even in the short time they’ve been here, I’ve already learned so much from them,” she said.

“They’re great friends and mentors that I can go to whenever I’m looking to improve, and they know what it takes to play at that next level.

“Greg (coach Greg Farrell) came in towards the end of the Night Series and he has taken our team forward in leaps and bounds. He’s changed the style at Subi, it’s made a real difference to the club, and they’ll only go onwards and upwards from here.

“We know we can’t make the top four but we’re definitely excited to push the other teams and show them what Subiaco is made of. I think we can really look to shake up the league in these last few games.”

In Sunday’s other game, Balcatta Etna need three points to maintain outside hopes of making the Top Four Cup when they face Curtin University. The hosts are five points off fourth spot with three games remaining, while Curtin are playing for pride as they search of a first win this season.

On Saturday, RedStar travel to Dorrien Gardens to play Perth SC in a repeat of July’s State Cup Final, which the leaders won 2-1.

Carlos Vega Mena’s side will hope to continue their push towards an unbeaten campaign, but the Azzurri have tested the champions in all three previous meetings this season, including a goalless draw two weeks ago which are the only points the league leaders have dropped.

Perth SC, who have scored five in their last two games including the midweek defeat of Subiaco, will also trade in their traditional blue home kit this weekend for a special pink jersey and socks to promote and support breast cancer awareness.

This is part of Play4BCNA Pink Sports Day to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Network Australia.

Perth's NPLW side will wear a special pink kit to mark the occasion, while their four other senior teams will wear pink socks. 

Fourth meets third also on Saturday as Fremantle City go to Murdoch University Melville. MUM FC have won five of their past six games, while Freo have only have one win in their previous five outings. One point separates the sides in the league and a win will be key for both, with NTC looming a point off the top four.

All games are live and free on NPL.TV. Sign up here: https://npl.tv/

Round 19 fixtures (3pm unless stated)

Saturday: Perth SC v Perth RedStar, MUM FC v Fremantle City (5pm). Sunday: Balcatta Etna v Curtin University, Subiaco v Hyundai NTC (3.45pm).