Impetus’ Ben Gilby joins with Perth Football Podcast’s Tommy Dolman and Kelechi Osunwa to name their team of 2023 for the Western Australia Women’s NPL and provide their reasons for the selection
It’s been another dramatic and exciting season in the NPLW WA. Whilst the top four finally ended up the same as it was last year, the league has had increased competitiveness and some outstandingly consistent performances from players at clubs across the league.
The three of us have watched hours of action each week across the season, and in the end, our discussions resulted in seven of the eight teams in the league having players represented in our squad of eleven players and three substitutes.
Here is who has made our squad:
Goalkeeper:
Rebecca Bennett (Perth SC)
Another consistent year in the books for the goalkeeper who has been a pillar of strength at the back around an ever-changing back four, which Perth had to endure due to various injuries and absences. Ever-present once again and nine clean sheets in 2023 (written by Tommy Dolman).
Defenders:
Tash Rigby (Fremantle City)
Another extremely impressive season for Tash Rigby, who formed an important part of the backbone of the Fremantle City side who once more comfortably finished in the top four. Her ability to read the play at the back and provide constant vocal encouragement to her teammates are prime examples of using years of experience amongst the best in the A-League Women to drive her team on. Yet with Freo, Rigby also forms an integral part of their attack, linking up powerfully with the likes of Abbey Green, Laura Waltman, and Olivia Trueman. A dynamo all over the pitch (written by Ben Gilby).
Annabelle Leek (Fremantle City)
One of the league’s most improved players in a new-look Fremantle defence for 2023 having transformed herself from a midfielder to a ball-playing central defender. Her passing has been key in starting attacks from the back for Faye Chambers’ side, and her reading of the game defensively has improved over the course of the year. Two big blocks in Round 21 to deny efforts from Chiori Ikeda and Reina Kagami were the epitome of that bravery, as she continues to form a promising partnership in defence with former NTC defender Catherine Adams (written by Tommy Dolman).
Andreia Teixeira (Perth RedStar)
The late Stuart Scott made the phrase “cooler than the other side of the pillow” famous among dorks like me. I’m not sure if Andreia Teixeira has ever heard of Scott, but my goodness, does she live up to that phrase through her play. Teixeira effortlessly glides around the pitch, extinguishing the occasional fires that arise for the Perth RedStar defense. She gracefully delivers passes to her teammates and confidently engages in duels, where more often than not, the diminutive defender comes out on top. Teixeira personifies coolness, calmness, and collectedness, making her a joy to watch (written by Kelechi Osunwa).
Emily Dunn (Perth RedStar)
As reliable as they come in the NPLWA – Women’s competition over the years and not many players get the better of her in a one on one battle. Dunn has been a versatile and regular part of the league’s best defence once again having played on the right, the left and in the centre of defence at times throughout the season (written by Tommy Dolman).
Midfielders:
Reina Kagami (Perth RedStar)
What a debut season in Australia for Reina Kagami who came across to Western Australia with her compatriot Chiori Ikeda ahead of the new season. Whilst off the pitch Kagami admitted it took a while to adjust to life in Perth, on the pitch she showed her quality from the start. Creative and industrious in the midfield with an eye for advancing the attack and scoring more than her fair share of goals – only Tia Stonehill found the net more than her. Yet, when I interviewed Kagami two-thirds of the way through the season, she revealed that she feels she has far more to offer her team. The NPLW WA has been warned (written by Ben Gilby).
Laura Waltman (Fremantle City)
Waltman has been an absolute joy to watch this season as an integral part of her side’s hugely talented midfield. She has dominated so many matches with her skill on the ball, ability to tie would-be tacklers up in knots, and combination play with those around her. Waltman is a player for the purest – someone who is creative and highly intelligent in both her attacking and link-up play. A midfielder that any side would love to have in their team (written by Ben Gilby).
Georgia Cassidy (Hyundai NTC)
In a season where a number of young stars have come to the fore, none have taken centre stage more than Georgia Cassidy. The teenager has the ability to not only mix the play with vision beyond her years but also drive possession forward in a manner that leaves experienced opponents trailing in her wake. Yet Cassidy has way more to offer than just those two facets of her game. An outstanding ability from long-range set-pieces and a tigerish side to the defensive side of her play give her a physical presence that for a player of her age is remarkable. With the prospect of a first A-League Women season ahead at Perth Glory, Cassidy’s future is full of potential (written by Ben Gilby).
Forwards:
Ella Lincoln (Perth SC)
Forward who has had a breakout season for the Azzurri which has seen her rewarded with a best goalscoring return of 13 goals in the NPLW WA era. With key attacking players such as Ellie La Monte, Jaime Duncanson, Gemma Craine, and Abbey Meakins absent at times during the year, Lincoln stepped up to take on extra responsibility in the final third, which also included goals in each round of the State Cup before Perth’s elimination.
The goals are one thing but she has also linked up well with Jess Flannery and Judy Connolly to keep Perth’s attack (joint-best for goals with champions RedStar) ticking over in the second half of the year, while her leadership and improvement saw Perth SC head coach Peter Rakic trust her with the captain’s armband at the business end of the season (written by Tommy Dolman).
Tia Stonehill (Balcatta Etna)
Fresh off a devastating 2022 that prematurely ended her season, Tia Stonehill returned with a point to prove and a new number as a tribute to the late Kobe Bryant and his famous “mamba mentality”. It’s fitting that she concluded the 2023 season with 24 goals, securing the position of the league’s top scorer (her second in three seasons). She also stands a strong chance of claiming her second Gold Medal in three seasons. I mentioned earlier in the year that Stonehill was a powerhouse with the capacity to elevate both the floor and the ceiling of any team. Perth Glory is hopeful that their newly acquired forward will indeed achieve this (written by Kelechi Osunwa).
Samantha Mathers (Murdoch University Melville)
Our fellow podcaster, Josh Chiat, remarked that last year Mathers was placed in goal during the “great keeper crisis” in 2022 for Murdoch University Melville. The most significant sign of her development is that they would be insane to do so again should a shortage ever arise. That’s how important she has become at the other end of the pitch. Mathers strides with an assurance and composure beyond her years as she calmly assesses defenders, leaving them off-balance before cutting in on her right and unleashing a shot toward either post. The fact that defenders understand her intentions yet can’t stop her says it all. If 2023 was the breakout year for Mathers, 2024 promises to be the Samantha Mathers show (written by Kelechi Osunwa).
Substitutes:
Poppie Hooks (Perth SC)
Fresh off a disappointing 2022, Poppie Hooks returned in a new position and with a new team, often stealing the limelight in the star-studded lineup from various defensive positions. Dominant in the air (as evident from her goals against Balcatta and Murdoch University Melville), tenacious in tackles, and nonchalant on the ball, Hooks prowls around the field with a swagger and self-assuredness that would typically be acquired after 200 NPLW appearances. That self-belief occasionally places Hooks in trouble, but the growing pains have molded her maturity and reliability, turning her into the calming presence for Perth SC coach Peter Rakic during what has truly been a chaotic season of injuries (written by Kelechi Osunwa).
Charli Wainwright (Murdoch University Melville)
Despite her tender years, Charli Wainwright has been part of the Murdoch University Melville squad since the dawn of the NPLW WA in 2020. Over those four full seasons, she has experienced huge success and become an integral part of the club’s squad. The midfielder popped up with some stunning goals this season, with the odd Olimpico thrown in for good measure. A young captain of a very young side, Wainwright leads by example, and if MUM FC can keep their present squad together, it’s more than possible that the midfielder will drive her side towards silverware again sooner rather than later (written by Ben Gilby).
Marianna Tabain (Subiaco)
A class act on the pitch and a big reason why Subiaco were able to have their highest-scoring season in the NPLW WA era. She ends the regular season as joint-third in the Golden Boot race behind runaways Tia Stonehill and Reina Kagami. A player Subiaco would love to keep for 2024 as a leader for their young group as they continue to grow and improve under Greg Farrell (written by Tommy Dolman).
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