by Ben Gilby (4/9/24)
Above: Sarah Carroll of Perth RedStar lifts the Night Series Trophy earlier this year. Photo: Football West / FotoEnzo.
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 August, Ben Gilby, Kelechi Osunwa, and Tommy Doleman produced a short list of six players, from which the winner was selected.
The shortlist – August 2024
Rebecca Bennett (Balcatta Etna):
What a month for Rebecca Bennett. Three clean sheets in August as her team returned to consistent winning ways in their bid to be a major part of the Top Four Cup next month. Bennett produced a sensational display to open the month for her side against Perth SC at Dorrien Gardens. Balcatta went into the game on the back of successive defeats – one of them a shock loss at struggling Murdoch University Melville. Conversely, the Azzurri had won five of their last six. Bennett made superb save after superb save in her team’s crucial 1-0 win. The keeper topped up her month with further clean sheets against Subiaco and UWA-Nedlands.
Andreia Teixeira (Perth RedStar):
Andreia Teixeira has had another consistently strong season, but as the campaign has reached the business end, she has stepped it up and stamped her influence on the team even more. Her maturity as a leader of a young and transformed defence has been superb, allied with her abilities as a ball player who is the key pivot between defensive work and starting attacks. Recognition is due.
Frankie Murray-Hocking (Subiaco):
It’s been another season of growth for Subiaco, and another month of consistent performances from Frankie Murray-Hocking, who is such an integral part of Greg Farrell’s squad. For some, Murray-Hocking is a player who has gone under the radar amongst the A-League Women and Young Matildas players in the NPLW WA this season, but she has really earned this nomination with her regular classy displays, determination, and standards. The Subiaco star has an eye for the insightful pass, vision to link up the play, and is more than capable of popping up with an important goal.
Daisy McAllister (Perth SC)
Part of the Azzurri‘s talented young midfield, Daisy McAllister had an extremely influential August. Her confidence has been high and it’s been reflected in her play. Thrilling runs along the flanks, cutting inside to link the play and find teammates, and on top of that the ability to continue those attacks into the box and finish with deadly aplomb has been a joy to behold. As Perth SC approach a State Cup Final and Top Four Cup in the coming days and weeks, McAllister is in top form.
Lucy Jerram (Balcatta Etna)
Balcatta have found consistent form just as the season approached its pointy end and the influence of Lucy Jerram has assisted them greatly. Whilst the attacker scored two goals during the month, her game has been about far more than that. Her excellent support play and the way she offered herself as an outlet was an integral part of her team’s highly impressive backs-to-the-wall win at Perth SC at the beginning of the month. Jerram’s attitude, skill set, and determination mark her out as a massively important part of Balcatta’s Top Four Cup campaign.
Impetus NPLW WA Player of the Month for August 2024:
Sarah Carroll (Perth RedStar)
Sarah Carroll has had yet another extremely impressive month of performances for Perth RedStar. An integral part of Carlos Vega Mena’s side, Carroll’s superb footballing brain allows her to see ahead of opponents the key channels of the pitch to target her runs, and where her teammates will be ahead of time to play key balls into. On top of that, she has the ability to pop up with goals regularly, is a sensational deliverer of a set piece, and if that is not enough, is an important part of the team’s defensive effort. A superb month from a superb player.
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).
August: Sarah Carroll (Perth RedStar).
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