Balcatta Etna‘s Abbey Meakins was announced as Impetus’ NPLW WA Player of the Month for May last week. She speaks to Ben Gilby about a bittersweet 2023 campaign, her move to Balcatta, and aims for a successful 2024 (5/6/24).
Above: Abbey Meakins (left) in action for Balcatta Etna against her previous side Perth SC earlier this season. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Rob Lizzi.
Abbey Meakins is back to her best after a frustrating 2023 season. The newly crowned Impetus NPLW WA Player of the Month for May was part of a strong Perth SC side who captured their first-ever trophy before injury struck Meakins and many of her teammates. Now at Balcatta Etna, the attacker is aiming to seal more success this time round.
A strong Perth SC team had just gained their first piece of silverware, defeating the perennially successful Perth RedStar in the 2023 Night Series Grand Final. A major challenge looked set to be mounted by the Azzurri to bring a first NPLW WA league title back to Dorrien Gardens – but then a string of regular starters picked up long-term injuries. Despite this, the team still made the Top Four Cup Final, but there still remains lingering thoughts of what might have been. Meakins began our chat by reflecting on that period.
“Last season was tough as we had such a strong start to the year winning the Night Series, and doing well early on in the league. We had a really solid well-balanced team, but unfortunately, had a lot of serious injuries throughout the year. I had surgery after a freak accident from a ball to the wrist at training where I ended up with a badly broken wrist, a plate was put in, and serious ligament damage that kept me out for six months. It was a frustrating few months as we had injury after injury, however, I am back out on the park now and really enjoying my football.
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“I thought we had a really positive season, we won the Night Series, finished second in the league, and played in the Top Four Cup Final. There was a lot of opportunity for playing time for the young girls with all the injuries we had, and they really stepped up in the second half of the year.
“Since Pete Rakic took over the coaching job at Perth (in 2022), I thought I probably played some of my best football in that year and a half before I got injured. Pete’s philosophy really aligns with how I love to play the game.”
Meakins is a player well versed in making brave comebacks from injury – the period from 2019-2021 was one of continuing major challenges, notably two back-to-back ACL injuries.
“That ACL reconstruction in 2019 was the biggest challenge I have faced in my career. I had just come out of a season at Perth Glory where I had managed to play a few games and was feeling at the top of my game. Unfortunately, I tore my ACL in the second Night Series game back which ended up keeping me out of the game for 16 months due to the next season being delayed because of COVID.
“I looked at my injury as a blessing in disguise, I was able to take a break from football for some time which I hadn’t had in many years – spending more time with friends, focusing on my university studies, and going on lots of holidays. Focusing on these things helped me to overcome the challenges of an ACL injury, and once I was back playing, I really started to enjoy my football again.”
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Following the end of the 2023 NPLW WA season and her recovery from the wrist and ligament injuries, Perth SC’s head coach Rakic decided to make the move to take up a similar role across at Balcatta Etna. Meakins was one of several former Azzurri players to join him.
“When I knew he (Rakic) was moving across that was ultimately the deciding factor in my decision. As well as a few of my closest friends moving to Balcatta, I saw it as a great opportunity, however, it was a tough decision since I had been at Perth from their very first season in the NPLW and had some great memories at the club.
“Balcatta looked to be invested in the women’s game, as well as having some great supportive people around the club which has fostered a great culture. They seemed to really believe in what Pete would bring to the club from a coaching perspective, as well as being excited at the thought of having quite a few of us players join the club.”
Meakins was just one of several high-quality new players coming into Balcatta ahead of the 2024 season. Whilst a number of players came across from Perth SC, there were several other new faces from different backgrounds. Such a changed team could have taken a long time to find their feet, but Balcatta made the Night Series Grand Final and are firmly established in the top four. The attacker explained the key reasons for her new club hitting the ground running.
“We have gelled really well as a team so far, a lot quicker than I expected considering Pete brings such a different game plan to what a lot of the existing Balcatta girls, and few new players are used to playing. Not only from a footballing perspective has everyone gelled well, off the pitch we have a great culture and all the girls are getting on really well.
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“It’s been exciting to play with players like Kat Jukic, Lucy Jerram, and Jamie Lee Gale who I’ve played against for many years, and now find myself on the same team. We still have a lot of work to do, and I feel like we have so much more to give as the season goes on, which I’m really excited for.”
Meakins herself has been in fine goalscoring form, with 11 goals in eight NPLW WA games, and is well on her way to hitting one of her identified targets for the season.
“I’m hoping to stay injury-free and just play some really consistent football this season. Obviously, last year was quite frustrating personally, so to stay out on the park, play some exciting football and hopefully get on the scoresheet a bit more will be my main aim for this year.
“As a team, I think we have the players and ability to take it to any team this year. We want to be in the title race fighting for silverware and really push teams like RedStar who have had so much success over the past few seasons. We had a great start to the Night Series and the first few games of the season, so we will be looking to continuously improve our game plan and start to become a really consistent team.”
For any team in the NPLW WA, Perth RedStar are the team that need to be beaten in order to ensure silverware can be won. Carlos Vega Mena’s team has such tactical nous and that sheer relentless ability which makes it exceptionally challenging for anyone to defeat them. Meakins though believes that she knows what her Balcatta team need to do.
“I think consistency over 90 minutes as well as having the hunger and desire to win games will help us to overcome teams like RedStar. In the Night Series Final (which saw Perth RedStar defeat Balcatta 4-1), we had patches of good play however we just couldn’t sustain it over the course of 90 minutes. Once we start to put consistency, sticking to our game plan, and having that hunger to win together I think we will see our full potential as a team being unlocked. I’m really excited for the rest of the season, and to see what we can achieve in 2024.”
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