by Ben Gilby (1/8/24)
Above: Olivia Wood, who has had a superb month for Perth RedStar. Photo supplied to Impetus by: Rob Lizzi.
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 league’s most consistent players each month. For the fourth month of the season, Ben Gilby, Kelechi Osunwa, and Tommy Doleman produced a five-player long list from which July’s winner was selected.
The shortlist – July 2024
Gabby Dal Busco (Perth RedStar):
Gabby Dal Busco has been arguably one of the best shot-stoppers in the league for years, and this season with her now at Perth RedStar is no different.
The former Perth Glory goalkeeper has had a sensational July. Two clean sheets (one in the NPLW WA, one in the State Cup Semi-Final) and only three goals conceded in total across the month’s five matches mark her out as a performer of consistent excellence. This form, combined with the increasing influence of RedStar’s leading attackers sees the defending champions heading towards their imperious best as the season approaches its business end.
Baxter Thew (Perth SC):
The strongest players and strongest teams step up their levels when it matters, and Baxter Thew has played a crucial part in Perth SC’s July with a succession of outstanding performances.
A clear example of Thew’s form came in Round 15 when she did something that few players have done this season – keep Tanika Lala out of the game for long periods of the match. Her ability to track Fremantle City’s dangerous attacker was crucial in showing Lala the touchline rather than allowing her to cut inside. This, plus Thew’s work rate in tracking the former NTC striker’s runs was crucial in assisting her team to record a vital win against a Freo side who were on a long winning run.
Tanika Lala (Fremantle City):
Tanika Lala took the Impetus NPLW WA Player of the Month award for June and gained a second successive nomination after another superb set of performances.
The Goldfields’ nugget opened the month with a bang by scoring a hat-trick in Fremantle City’s superb 3-2 win over Perth RedStar. Lala would go on to notch a total of nine in July’s five league and cup games – four came against Murdoch University Melville, one at Balcatta Etna, and despite having a real battle against Baxter Thew all afternoon, an impressive strike against Perth SC.
Her runs, vision, and superb link-up play with the likes of Abbey Green and Clara Hoarau at the port city club have gone a long way to push Freo towards the top four after a challenging start to the season for the Hilton Park side.
Theodora Mouithys (Hyundai NTC):
It’s been a hard month for the NTC, but they have kept their top four hopes alive with two wins, with powerful young attacker Theodora Mouithys a key part of those successes.
Mouithys has pace and superb upper body strength which makes her a tough attacker for the league’s experienced defenders to handle. She has contributed three of the NTC’s six goals this month as their battle with Fremantle City for fourth place in the league goes on.
With Mouithys continuing to impress, plus the return to the starting line-up of the likes of Klaudia Houlis, Ruby Cuthbert, Ischia Brooking, and Mia Britton, there are hopes of a powerful run-in for the attacker and her talented teenage teammates.
Impetus NPLW WA Player of the Month for July 2024:
Olivia Wood (Perth RedStar):
Olivia Wood is back to her best, and how.
She opened July with an outstanding display in her team’s vital encounter at top-four rivals Balcatta Etna where she scored both goals in her team’s 2-0 win and ended it with a superb strike to seal RedStar’s 2-1 win over Perth SC in the first against second clash.
Hugely influential with runs, and strong link-up play with Jayna Ridley, she has also caused real headaches for opponents with her sublime shooting skills and ability to bring those around her into the play.
From six league goals throughout the month and outrageous efforts with the outside of her foot, well-judged crosses, and link-up play with her teammates, this has been a month to remember as Wood has played an influential role in RedStar’s pursuit of yet another league title retention.
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).
July: Olivia Wood (Perth RedStar).
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