Perth RedStar’s Caitlin Doeglas talks to Ben Gilby about her footballing journey, her six years in the W-League and A-League Women with Perth Glory, and how she feels the NPLW WA is growing (18/9/24).
Above: Caitlin Doeglas with the Tracey Wheeler Medal that she won as player of the match in the Night Series Grand Final win over Balcatta Etna earlier this year. Photo: Football West.
Caitlin Doeglas has been absolutely flying with Perth RedStar this season. Previously renowned for having a stellar six-season spell with Perth Glory in the A-League Women, the attacker has been outstanding in 2024 with goals, assists, and dogged teamwork, all done with a smile on her face.
Doeglas, who describes herself as “a positive attacking player. I love a high press and winning the ball high up the field to score,” caught the football bug at an early age.
“I started soccer when I was eight years old,” she said. “Mum tells me that I came home from primary school one day ranting about playing soccer at school and that I loved it. I had a summer sport already (Little Athletics) and needed a winter sport, so Mum signed me up for soccer at the local club, Ballajura Soccer Club.
“From there I never stopped playing. I played in the boys NPL League from Under 11 all the way to Under 18. For the majority of this time, I was the only girl in my team but also the league, which I never gave a second thought. In 2015, I was offered a W-League contract at Perth Glory, after being a train-on since the age of 15. I was ecstatic that all the hard work and perseverance paid off. I thoroughly enjoyed my six seasons.
“I was a part of two grand finals, scored the third fastest goal in A-League Women history, and in my last season there in 2021, I won the club’s Golden Boot jointly with the amazing Hana Lowry.
“In 2017, I was given the opportunity to play in Victoria for NPLW team Alamein FC. I relished the challenge of moving states and playing against the best players in Australia. Most recently, I moved to NSW to play in the NPLW for Northern Tigers. Once again, playing against the best players in Australia, I learned so much on and off the field. I am now playing for Perth RedStar, and to be a part of such an accomplished team is incredible.”
The attacker has had to overcome major challenges throughout her career, including two ACL injuries. Doeglas reflected on the period, saying: “I tore my right ACL and LCL, and it took me 13 months of rehabilitation to return to soccer. In 2021, I tore my left ACL which took 14 months of rehabilitation. My most recent ACL reconstruction was devastating, as I knew what it took to come back better and stronger.
“Rehab was long, as well as, juggling my teaching career. I am very lucky to have an amazing support network around me. My mum, dad, sister, and boyfriend kept me sane throughout the tiresome rehab as well as, my Gym Jump Lift Run, who were with me every step of the rehab journey.”
Doeglas’ six seasons at Perth Glory saw her as part of two Grand Final squads – and scoring her first-ever goal for the club after just 14 seconds against Western Sydney Wanderers during the 2016/17 season. She looks back fondly on that achievement – “It’s my favourite memory from my time at Perth Glory… what makes it even better is that it was assisted by Sam Kerr. The biggest thing I took away from my time at Glory is to have fun. You play your best soccer when you are enjoying it. That’s all you can ever do, try your best and have fun.
“We got to play at NIB Stadium (now known as HBF Park) and to play in Perth’s biggest rectangular stadium was already amazing. I started in the midfield. The ball was played back to Kim Carroll and she kicked it up the field. Sam got the ball turned and I was running down the right side and she played me the ball, I remember kicking it so sweetly and it beat the WSW keeper. One of the best feelings an athlete can feel. I was so happy and to do it with that incredible team, at home, in front of my family and a home crowd made it even better.”
After time playing NPLW football in both Victoria and New South Wales, the attacker is back on home soil, part of the hugely successful Perth RedStar side who have already sealed a third successive NPLWA title this season.
“I am very grateful to be playing for Perth RedStar and thoroughly enjoying playing for them. We have such a great mix of youth and experience and I really believe that shows in our performances each weekend. The girls have been playing together for a while now and I have gelled with the group so well, it is exciting.”
Doeglas believes that long term the longer A-League Women season may benefit the NPLW WA in terms of encouraging local players to remain in their home state to play, rather than going East to search for what can be perceived to be a higher standard of play.
“It is known that female players especially Glory players moved over East the past couple of seasons to play in NPLW NSW or NPLW VIC leagues, I did this too. However, now that A-League is a longer season, we see girls coming home or staying home to play. This is what has bought the quality of the league up. I also believe that the quality of girls coming through the youth system has improved drastically and there are some really exciting players, especially at RedStar.”
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