By Kieran Yap (kieran84@live.com.au) 23/8/23
Above: Bulleen celebrates their premiership. Photo: Bulleen Lions Instagram
Caitlin Friend’s team have claimed the premier’s plate on the final day of the season, following Boroondara’s result against South Melbourne.
Every round 22 game kicked off simultaneously last Friday night, and when the teams took to the field at 8:30pm, the title was still in the balance.
Bulleen Lions 3-0 Southern Unitec and Boroondara-Carey 0-2 South Melbourne.
Coming into the final round, Boroondara-Carey could claim the premiership with a win against South Melbourne. Bulleen Lions hosted bottom placed Southern United and needed a win and for South to get at least a point. Bulleen were without an injured Claudia Mihocic, but looking to rebound from disappointment in last week’s Nike FC Cup Final.
The Lions came out in aggressive fashion and made the breakthrough in the 23rd minute. Alana Jancevski switched flanks to the right wing and cut inside to unleash an unsavable long range strike to give Bulleen a 1-0 lead.
Maja Markovki’s well taken finish in the 35th minute gave them a comfortable lead against the bottom placed Southern United, and those in the stands started to keep an eye on the score at Boroondara’s game. Markovski was found unmarked in the penalty area after Rosie Rodger’s tricky footwork on the left opened up space for her. The finish was high into the net for the former Melbourne Victory striker’s fourth goal of the season.
Meanwhile, across town, Tayla Christensen’s strike had put South Melbourne 1-0 ahead against Boroondara. The Eagles turned the ball over in back half and the New Zealander showed no hesitation in making them pay. The title looked like it was headed to The Veneto club, but being a goal down was no impediment for much of Boroondara’s season, the team had been a goal machine in 2023, and nothing was certain with another half to play.
Danielle Wise scored for South Melbourne in the 75th minute to give Boroondara a mountain to climb. The captain cleverly made space for her shot and finished on her left from the edge of the penalty area.
Seven minutes later across town, Bulleen sealed their win with Rosie Rodger finishing a terrific move after more delicate and inventive footwork, this time close to goal.
The final results made it look like an easy night, but this was a thrilling end to the title race. Boroondara and Bulleen swapped top spot between them for many of the final rounds with neither able to get a defining result until the final game day of the home and away season.
Boroondara’s campaign is something that they should be immensely proud of. The Eagles return to the NPLW has been a huge success, and they may still claim a Grand Final appearance.
They have recruited well, played every game with attacking verve and approached every opponent with infectious confidence. They signed the eventual Golden Boot winner in Kurea Okino who has lit up the home and away season with 31 goals in 20 appearances.
They supported the Japanese goal machine by getting Margot Robbine back to the club and signing ex Geelong Galaxy midfielder Emily Sutcliff. 2023 will be a season to remember even if finals to not go to plan.
Bulleen are worthy premiers. They have been well organized and perfectly managed. The first half of the season saw them rely largely on reserve players before those with A-League experience arrived.
Although they sat mid table for the opening rounds, they were hard to beat, and deadly from set pieces. It was enough to keep in touch with the top four and build some momentum. When the likes of Jancevski, Paige Zois, Markovski and an incredible Beattie Goad took to the field, It meant that Bulleen had a star studded lineup that had also developed significant depth. The performance of Rodger on the final day of the season was evidence of that.
Caitlin Friend on building a team throughout the season.
“It feels really good to be honest” Bulleen coach Caitlin Friend told Impetus Football after securing the premiership.
“We’ve been working very hard, and I’ve been learning from a lot of mistakes, so to finally win something and to finally get some credit for all our hard work it is almost a bit of a relief, it takes the pressure off a bit. It’s been a really good weekend for sure.”
After having one season cut short by COVID, and coming close in 2022, Friend’s Bulleen Lions claimed the premier’s plate. The relatively comfortable win on the final day capped off what was a carefully managed campaign by the manager.
Bulleen had to build into the season. The first nine league games, they were dependant on academy and reserve players until the A-League stars such as Alana Jancevski, and Paige Zois were available.
This saw Bulleen win only twice in that period, but crucially they only lost once. Friend says it set the stage for the title run.
“It was a very interesting year with all the A-League players coming in at about round nine. I think that changed the whole league to be honest.
“We did really well to secure a good defence from the start of the season, because that hasn’t really changed all year.
“That basically won us the premiership, because in the first half of the season we were really hard to score against. Then it was all about transitioning in eight new players midway through the season which can be quite challenging as well because you don’t want to disrupt any of the team culture you’ve built so far. You don’t want the players that have worked hard all season to feel like they’ve been pushed to the side, and you want those A-League girls to feel like they have to work for a spot.
“That was probably the most challenging part, to make sure the team culture stayed strong.”
The culture was evident throughout the season, with club stalwarts like Alex Natoli reaching a milestone game, and Aroha Little continuing to push for a spot in the senior squad. Rosie Rodger’s match winning display in Round 22 was symbolic of the depth built in the early weeks.
The arrival of the sports big names did not yield immediate wins. It took some time for the team to click, but a dramatic 1-1 draw with South Melbourne featuring a late equaliser by Jancevski was a sign of things to come.
“That South Melbourne game was the best game of the season for me so far. I thought it was so competitive. It was such a great match. I thought we deserved a draw for sure and I thought yep it is going to be a really cool season ending.
“Calder has really lifted since then, now those Bulleen-Calder matches are really high tempo as well.”
Two new faces at The Lions, and one returning Matilda were all instrumental as the season progressed. Beattie Goad rejoined the club after playing stints in the Germany, Spain and with Melbourne Victory. Maja Markovski spearheaded the attack, and Claudia Mihocic joined an already strong defence to make things tougher for the opposition, and chip in with a volleyed goal herself.
“We worked really hard in terms of defensive recruitment,” says Friend of Mihocic’s arrival.
“We also got our visa player Katie Beck, Claudia and a couple of full backs from interstate. That was a huge focus.
“Claudia was a target of mine last season. She has unfortunately been plagued with a few injuries this year…. You can tell when she is available she makes a huge difference for us.
“She could be Australia’s best Centre back going forward.”
Markovski’s form has been vital. After being released by Melbourne Victory, the striker has shown new levels of versatility and consistency with Bulleen. She has scored some impressive goals, but has also worked hard around the ground, pressing and creating space for the like of Goad and Jancevski to exploit.
Her ability to link play from deep and finish chances she helped start have given Bulleen tactical options that few teams can boast. Friend’s faith in the mercurial forward has been repaid by a Markovski that looks rejuvenated.
“Obviously I have believed in her all season and put her in that starting lineup every game. she knows that I back her and she plays with freedom and confidence.
“Hopefully that continues to evolve, and she can really give us something in the semi final.”
The arrival of Goad was a surprise to many NPLW watchers. She has history at the club, but while still contracted to Victory and studying medicine, many fans assumed that she had a full schedule.
The playmaker has looked a class above at times. As a player who has performed against the likes of Barcelona and the German national team, she was always going to dominate on occasion.
“It was really important for her to keep ticking and to have some sort of team and competitive environment,” says Friend of her former teammate.
“She’s a really humble kid as well. She’s added a ton of experience and a ton of quality to our team but is extremely humble and chill about it as well, so all the young girls really look up to her.”
Bullen are the premiers, but life does not get easier. The face Calder United in the first semi-final. A team they have struggled to beat this season, and who claimed the Nike FC Cup a week ago.
Friend has hope that this time, Bulleen can reverse the trend.
“It is funny to be playing Calder three out of the last four games.
“I have put a lot of work into studying them, so I feel confident in how they’re going to come into the game and how we’re going to approach them.”
It will be a tough game. especially against a side that thrives on the big occasion. Is it a blessing in disguise to meet them now instead of the final?
“They always seem to get up in those big games,” says Friend.
“Maybe in the semi-final they won’t get up as much.”
Bayside United 0-1 Calder United
Calder United celebrated their Nike FC Cup win with a 1-0 defeat of Bayside United. Lucy Richards chased down a loose touch by the Bayside defence and tucked away the finish in 21st minute. It was the only goal of the game, and with Calder assured of fourth spot, this game was a formality and a chance for the defending champions to sharpen their game ahead of finals.
Bayside finish in eighth place. After knocking on the top four just over a month ago, results did not go their way in the final weeks, but they had a season that provided much for fans to celebrate. The goals of Kayla Deaver alone were worth tuning in for every week.
Preston Lions 1-4 Box Hill United
A Mindy Barbieri masterclass ensured that Box Hill ended their season on a high. The combination between Barbieri and Perth Glory playmaker Sofia Sakalis has been a feature of the league this season, with the pair being consistent highlight makers for the club.
It was that killer combination that opened the scoring. Sakalis drew multiple defenders and played the ball back to Barbieri who’s looping shot put Box Hill ahead in the first minute.
Kanna Moriya added a second in the 12th minute. Asuka Doi’s quick through ball put the midfielder into space behind the defence. She shot across goal to double the lead.
Emily Kos’s run and cross provided Barbieri with an easy tap in for goal number three before half time.
It took until the 78th minute for Preston to hit the score sheet. Melanie Camilleri tucked home Ella Mastrantonio’s whipped in ball to make it 3-1.
It was not enough to deliver a lifeline for the home side. Barbieri brought up her hatrick in the 82nd minute. Asuka Doi set up the chance with another well-times pass, but there was still plenty to do.
Unable to outpace her marker, Barbieri cut back and inside onto her right boot before curling the effort home from outside of the area. The final score was 5-1 after Doi finally scored one herself from close range. It capped off an entertaining if inconsistent season from Box Hill.
FV Emerging 3-2 Heidelberg United
FV Emerging ended their season on a high with an entertaining win over Heidelberg United. Alana Cortellino scored the opener in just the fourth minute. Danella Butrus’s through ball looked to have been cut off by the visitors defence, but the lightning quick forward snuck in to get to the ball first and finish calmly.
A second half double from Georgia Beaumont put Heidelberg into the lead. Katrina Nikpour and Rina Omiya to tee up Beaumont who lashed her shot home after cutting inside with her first touch.
Beaumont’s second effort was a wonderful goal. After exchanging passes with Nicole Blackett, she looked up and curled home her effort from ling range. The game had suddenly turned in The Berger’s favour. It was 2-1 in a matter of minutes.
Although both teams were on the attack, It was Emerging who took all three points. Anika Dovaston added her own wonder-strike to the evening’s highlights in the 73rd minute to level the scores and Kira Myers scored the winner in the 86th.
With her back to goal and the chance seemingly gone, Myers turned and shifted her weight to create some space. The shot beat Maizel’s through a crowded penalty area and was a stylish way to win a tough game.
The result meant that Emerging finished in 10th position but with plenty to be proud of. As usual they have unearthed some stars. Dovastron and Cortellino were regular contenders for team of the week, and Candice Kilderry earned a move to the US College system. She will play for Little Rock University and has already scored in her first appearance in the new setting.
Heidelberg United have had a tough season, marred by inconsistency off and on the field. Injuries to key players, absentees due to Young Matildas selections and a home ground refurbishment meant that they were unable to regain any momentum once it was lost in the second half of the season.
Expect them to rebound in 2024.
So the preliminary final approaches. Bulleen will face Calder United in a rematch of last season’s Grand Final and the recent Nike FC Cup. Boroondara will host South Melbourne who helped deny them the premiership on the final day of this season.
Picking a winner feels impossible at this point. It should be an enthralling end to 2023’s Victorian NPLW.
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