by Ella McShane (7/9/25)
Above: Caitlin Doeglas (in possession), who scored Perth RedStar’s equaliser and their first penalty in their shoot-out win over Perth SC today. Photo: Denyse RM Photography.
It was a dramatic weekend of action, which emphasised just how little the top four sides in the 2025 NPLW WA have between them. Both ties went to extra time, and one went to penalties. Here’s the review of all the action.
Football West Academy 3-4 Balcatta Etna
After extra-time
Balcatta Etna ran out winners of a seven-goal thriller against the Football West Academy (FWA) that took two hours of football to be decided at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
Balcatta opened the match with threatening overhead volleys from the backline, but Football West Academy quickly adapted, grounding the ball in the midfield and began to assert themselves on the encounter.
That dominance soon paid off when Emily Garnett surged forward, cleared space for herself, and unleashed a powerful volley that found the back of the net to put the home side ahead.
Balcatta wasted no time in responding, settling into a sleek rhythm of transitional play. From which Jamie-Lee Gale was able to capitalise and netted Balcatta the equaliser from within a crowded box.
With the score level, both sides tightened up. Defensive marking grew closer, and much of the play condensed around the halfway line. But at the 36-minute mark, Rachel Jarvis spotted a rare opening inside the box. Her strike first looked destined only to clip the post, yet a fortunate rebound gave Balcatta a deserved lead.
The second half picked up just where the tightly contested as the first ended. Gale again threatened with a scorching run down the right wing. The FWA defence were able to catch on to her threat, closing her down. However, Gale swiftly cut back to Alyssa van Heurck, who hammered home a rocket to extend Balcatta’s advantage.
FWA, refusing to fold, pressed forward with sharper passing. Their persistence paid off when Lacey Heys snatched a goal in a packed box, just moments before Balcatta’s defence could shut her down.
The teenage side’s momentum continued to build when Theo Mouithys completed the comeback utilising her trademark dominance in the final third, netting an impressive goal that levelled the scores with just six minutes remaining. It would be time for an additional half hour to separate the sides.
Both teams pushed relentlessly for victory, showcasing their technical quality and determination. But it was Balcatta’s Abbey Meakins who ultimately sealed the result, capitalising on a corner to deliver the match-winning goal.
Teams: FOOTBALL WEST ACADEMY: McGreadie Cole, Johnson, Santich, Z. Dumont, A. Dumont, Heys, Leong, Houlis, McAuliffe, Mouithys, Garnett. Substitutes: Borg, Collinson, Santos, Kuzamba, Dalton, Barlow, Brady.
Scorers: Garnett 9′, Heys 82′, Mouithys 84′.
BALCATTA ETNA: Bennett, M. D’Opera, Foletta, Murray, Davis, Marwick, van Heurck, Jarvis, Cook, Meakins, Gale. Substitutes: Duncanson, Hargreaves, Britton.
Scorers: Gale 23′, Jarvis 37′, van Heurck 65′, Meakins 100′.
Perth SC 1-1 Perth RedStar
Perth RedStar win 3-1 on penalties after extra-time
Perth RedStar ran out winners after a penalty shoot-out to take the direct route to next weekend’s Top Four Cup Final, leaving Perth SC needing to take advantage of their double chance in facing Balcatta Etna in midweek to reach the season decider.
The game had been moved to Inglewood United’s stadium due to Dorrien Gardens’ already hosting a rugby union final this weekend, but due to a waterlogged pitch at Inglewood on Saturday, Perth RedStar hosted this game on Sunday.
Whilst RedStar started strongly, it was Perth that had more chances in the opening half. Ella Lincoln was a thorn in the RedStar side as she was involved in three opportunities in a short space of time – providing for Daisy McAllister on two occasions – the first saw a shot blocked, and the second a header go just wide.
Just as it looked as if the sides would go in 0-0 at the break, Lincoln was played through, held off Emily Dunn, and fired home.
RedStar saw an early second-half effort from Renee Leota repelled by Dayle Schroeder before they levelled the scores with 20 minutes to go.
Leota went down in the box, and a penalty was awarded. Jayna Ridley’s spot kick was saved by Schroeder, but Caitlin Doeglas pounced to follow up and turn the ball in.
The rest of the game, including the period of extra time, saw very few clear-cut opportunities. Emily Dunn’s excellent defending to keep out Ruby Marshall’s shot for Perth was the closest either side came to adding to the scores, so the first spot in the Top Four Cup Final would be decided by a penalty shootout.
Step forward Gabby Dal Busco who more than lived up to her long time reputation of one of the top shot stoppers in the women’s game.
RedStar took a crucial two penalty lead after Doeglas and Ridley both netted with Sam Mathers’ effort saved by Dal Busco who also helped Kim McCartney’s penalty onto the post. Whilst Tijan McKenna scored Perth’s third, and Renee Leota saw hers saved by Schroeder in the Perth goal, it all came down to the fourth penalties.
Alkira Mogridge stepped up and scored for RedStar, meaning that Marshall had to score in order to keep Azzurri hopes alive – but she hit her effort over the top and Perth RedStar were through to their fourth successive Top Four Cup Final.
For the NPLW WA champions Perth SC, they now must face off with Balcatta Etna in midweek in order to try and earn a second attempt to defeat RedStar.
Teams: PERTH SC: Schroeder, Longmore, Nossent, Collins, McCartney, McKenna, McAllister, Mathers, Cassidy, Lincoln, Flannery. Substitutes: Marshall, Tana, Archibald, Ottobrino, Ingrey.
Scorer: Lincoln 45’.
Penalties: Mathers (saved), McCartney (hit post), McKenna (scored), Marshall (over bar).
PERTH REDSTAR: Dal Busco, Teixeira, Monteiro, Dunn, Woolley, Bennett, Bellanca, Coleman, Ridley, Leota, Doeglas. Substitutes: Doan, Lornie, Skinner, Mogridge.
Scorer: Doeglas 69’.
Penalties: Doeglas (scored), Ridley (scored), Leota (saved), Mogridge (scored).
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