by Ben Gilby (3/7/24)
Above: Tanika Lala, who was part of Perth Glory’s A-League Women squad last season. Photo: Perth Glory.
To further complement Impetus‘ coverage of the NPLW WA competition in 2024, we’ve assembled a group of people who are watching the competition’s matches especially closely to identify the competition’s most consistent players each month. For the third month of the season, Ben Gilby, Kelechi Osunwa, and Tommy Dolman produced a four-player long list from which June’s winner was selected.
The Shortlist – June 2024
Caitlin Doeglas (Perth RedStar):
The former Perth Glory A-League Women attacker has had yet another outstanding month.
Doeglas continues to show not only her class, but an infectious enthusiasm about everything she does. Pacey runs down the flank, cutting inside, turning would-be markers, and firing home top-draw finishes – and doing so with a huge smile on her face.
The attacker continued to add to her tally of goals this month with a further five – two against Perth SC in round nine, another stunning brace against Murdoch University Melville in round 11, and one at UWA-Nedlands in between.
Yet it’s not just the goals that make Doeglas such a dangerous player for RedStar – it’s the vision, the experience, and sheer determination to stamp her professionalism on those around her.
Charli Wainwright (Perth SC):
It has been a month to savour for those who like to watch intelligent passers with exceptional vision, for whom Charli Wainwright is the epitome.
One of the competition’s most elegant ball players, at the age of 20, Wainwright shows composure beyond her years, reads the play incredibly well, and never gives up on a lost cause.
Two sublime moments of magic in the Round 11 game at home to UWA-Nedlands encapsulated Wainwright’s ability. First, a sumptuous double one-two with Daisy McAllister which supplied a goal for Jess Flannery, and then a centimetre perfect dissecting pass for Anika Stajic to run onto and fire home.
Wainwright is getting better and better as the season goes on and has the ability to be an A-League Women player of the near future
Cass Harvey (Subiaco):
Whilst Subi’s results have been up and down during June, Cass Harvey has been consistently excellent.
With her wonderful footwork, visions, tricks, and flicks, she is a key component of the team’s push to secure a first-ever top-four spot.
Harvey has displayed her class in particular with two superb goals during the month. First, against UWA-Nedlands in round nine, she broke away, held off two defenders, to slot home. Then, a week later against Murdoch University Melville, Harvey was played into acres of space by Marianna Tabain and chipped a glorious curled finish over Manon Gebauer. She would also supply an assist later on after her rocket shot from the edge of the area cannoned back down from the bar for Stella Zampogna to nod home from close range.
Goals, vision, and ability – Harvey has them all in her locker.
Impetus NPLW WA Player of the Month for June 2024:
Tanika Lala (Fremantle City)
It’s been a month of sensational performances by some of the competition’s star players – but all others have been eclipsed by the red-hot form of Tanika Lala.
The nugget from the Goldfields has been a major part of the Fremantle City side who have found their feet after a challenging start to the season and are now firmly ensconced inside the top four.
Whilst Lala’s stunning goal-scoring stats of seven in her last three games take the headlines, there’s far more than that to her game. Her partnerships with both Abbey Green and Clara Hoarau are beginning to become almost telepathic. Maybe not a surprise given the trio were in the Perth Glory squad during the A-League Women season together. This has now elevated the Kalgoorlie kid’s game in the NPLW WA to new heights.
The pace, power, and footwork have been there for quite a while – but everything else has now stepped up. It’s been a month to savour for fans of Tanika Lala.
Impetus NPLW WA Player of the Month Award Winners 2024
April: Ella Lincoln (Perth SC).
May: Abbey Meakins (Balcatta Etna).
June: Tanika Lala (Fremantle City).
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