by Ben Gilby (9/3/25)
Above: Fremantle City goalkeeper Megan Phillips is beaten by Jess Flannery’s rocket for Perth SC in today’s second semi-final. Photo: Rob Lizzi
Perth SC and Balcatta Etna ran out winners in today’s NPLW WA Night Series Semi-Finals with both sides recording 4-1 wins.
Balcatta Etna were first out of the blocks with another impressive performance in downing the talented new Football West Academy (formerly Hyundai NTC) side. Pete Rakic’s team are scoring goals for fun in the pre-season tournament, and this time had a brace from Lucy Jerram and one each from Abbey Meakins and Jamie-Lee Gale to push them into next Friday’s Final. Klaudia Houlis added to her excellent record of scoring in the tournament with the FWA’s goal on the night at Dorrien Gardens.
The second game between Perth SC and Fremantle City looked to be one which, in the build up, could favour the port city side. The Azzurri were coming into the game on the back of last week’s 5-2 loss to Balcatta in their final group game, where as free flowing Freo hit four against Perth RedStar.
However, Sam Geddes’ team were unable to field any substitutes and also had to deal with an impressive display from Perth. That said, there were still more than enough moments for Freo to have had better luck on another night with Mia Yeo outstanding on the left.
Perth hit the front with 24 minutes played when Spencer failed to clear a ball across the box for Freo, and Daisy McAllister was on hand to smash home.
They doubled their lead just four minutes later with a sensational strike from Jess Flannery, who was found by McAllister on the left-hand edge of the area. Flannery, who missed much of last season through injury showed her immense talent to crash home a rocket shot.
However, Freo grabbed the momentum in the final seven minutes or so of the half and hit back when Janice Kiama forced the ball home from close range after the Azzurri failed to clear a corner from the right which led to a bout of penalty box pin ball.
Fremantle were unable to regain that spell of play after the break, and on the hour mark, Flannery received the ball from McAllister from a short corner on the right and hit a low ball into the mix that Violet Longmore looked to turn home inside the six yard box.
Yeo tried her best to grab a lifeline for Freo, forcing Dayle Schroeder into two saves, and seeing a shot go agonisingly wide of the right hand upright.
Perth had a chance to extend their lead further when Kiama brought down Louise Tana in the area, but Phillips got down low to the left to save Flannery’s penalty.
However, a fourth did come in the final minute of regulation time, when Kim McCartney’s free-kick from the right had too much power for Phillips.
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