For this week’s WA On Wednesday interview, a legend of the game in Western Australia, Marianna Tabain speaks to Ben Gilby about her incredible career, life at Subiaco, and the NPLW WA (9/8/23).
Above: Marianna Tabain (right) in action for Subiaco last season in the NPLW WA. Photo: JASP Photography.
Marianna Tabain has experienced it all in Western Australian football. Part of Perth Glory’s inaugural W-League team, playing for the team in a Grand Final as well as representing The Matildas at age group level. Now she is in her second season at Subiaco in the NPLW WA lending her experience to her team-mates – and still scoring plenty of goals.
Tabain has played alongside the cream of the crop of Western Australian football from the earliest days. In the state’s NTC program at the same time as her were Collette McCallum, Lisa De Vanna, Sam Kerr, Shannon May, Sadie Lawrence, Ella Mastrantonio, Tanya Oxtoby, and Elisa D’Ovidio.
Those experiences were near the start of a career that the star summarised for us. “My junior years of football were spent at Cockburn City and Western Knights Soccer Club. I was then selected for the NTC program and WA State teams and from these teams was identified to represent Australia at U17 and U20 level.
“During this time, I was also a part of the Perth Glory team. I spent many seasons with Perth Glory before seeking a new challenge with Melbourne City where I spent two seasons. After this, I moved back to Perth to play for Glory again and to complete my university degree. I am now playing NPL and futsal and working as a primary school teacher.”
Tabain was part of Perth Glory’s side for the first-ever W-League season at the age of 15. She reflected on how different times were in 2008.
“It was very different on every level compared to where the women’s game is at now. The development of the teams, the league, and the respect for the players have grown immensely. People have now heard of the league, have seen women play, and are interested.
“Obviously having played for Glory at such a young age, I was very grateful for the opportunity to represent my state at the highest level but the biggest challenge for me personally was how little people knew about the league and the little acknowledgment we received as players at the time. The exposure of the game now is different and I’m glad it has moved in the right direction for the players coming through.”
Tabain has hit many memorable goals in her career, but it’s one from that first-ever season that sticks in her mind.
“The one against Adelaide United away in the inaugural season of the W-League. I was so young at the time and to have the confidence and composure to take a few players on, cut in on my right foot, and hit it the way I did, I just knew it was going to curl in the back post as soon as it came off my boot.”
The attacker’s first spell with Perth Glory coincided with their first Grand Final appearance in 2014 when the Purples took on Canberra United. It was an experience that she still has powerful memories of.
“Being the first grand final for the club, I remember just trying to soak it all in and trying not to work myself up too much leading up to the game. You work so hard as a team all season in hope of making the grand final, so it was a massive moment for us all.
“We’d broken records, gelled well as a team, and been clinical all season. My strongest memory would be the feeling in the dressing room prior to the game. I remember looking around at the girls and thinking I was surrounded by so many quality players and that it felt right to win it after the season we had. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be, so it was definitely a tough loss to take, especially at home.”
After a spell at Melbourne City, Tabain returned to Perth Glory during the 2020/21 season, but now she can be found at Rosalie Park, turning out for Subiaco in the NPLW WA. She explained how the move to Greg Farrell’s side came about.
“It was actually through Lisa De Vanna that I signed for Subiaco. I wasn’t focusing on football so much at the time and was enjoying playing futsal and working. She reached out to Ella Mastrantonio, and I, and asked us to come down to training and see how we felt at the club. I had a chat with Adi Juric and Greg Farrell about the vision of the club and knew straight away that I wanted to help as much as I could for the remainder of the season.”
The trio of Tabain, De Vanna, and Mastrantonio were part of Subi’s best-ever season in the NPLW WA. The 30-year-old believes that the freedom she was granted within the team were the key to last year’s successes.
“We came into the club quite late in the season, but the girls were so welcoming from the start so that always makes the transition into a new team easier. I felt the belief from the Subiaco staff and management team as soon as I got there. So, I think once we started to combine with the players and were able to create more chances going forward, we were able to make a difference. We had the freedom we needed.”
Whilst De Vanna and Mastrantonio are no longer at Rosalie Park, Tabain remains a key part of the Subiaco side. Whilst results so far in 2023 haven’t quite matched the levels of last year, the attacker still believes progress is being made.
“Although the results haven’t gone our way, we have been building on our performances and character. There have been some games that if we had been more composed and clinical with the ball, we could have snatched a point or a win but that will come in time and with more experience.
“It’s still been an enjoyable season regardless of the results. I think that comes down to the environment and the people at the club. I’ve been at other clubs, where when results don’t go your way, the easiest thing you can do is become negative and turn on each other. Our performances are improving and during these times it’s important to stick together as a team. That’s where real character is shown.
“Our goal at the start of the season was to do our best and to push for a top-four spot. We are focusing on trying to perform our best each week, grow as a squad and learn from the challenges.”
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