The South Australian Women’s NPL SA competition crowned its fourth Champion in as many seasons in the form of West Adelaide who defeated a stubborn Adelaide City 1-0 at ServiceFM Stadium on Friday night. Tracey Jenkins’ side has been the model of consistency and has been able to overcome the ghosts of its past to achieve a dominant treble.
Despite experiencing heartache at the hands of the 2021 treble winners, Salisbury Inter, Season 2022 saw West Adelaide claim the role of the dominant side, while Adelaide City slotted in to the number one contender slot, the usual flagship of women’s South Australian football in a period of transition.
The two sides made the Grand Final successfully implementing their own, contrasting styles of play. While West Adelaide prefers to stretch the pitch and invite its dynamic full back to attack and provide dangerous crosses for its forwards, City’s narrow, press-heavy playstyle is highlighted by its constant intent to pick out a killer ball.
Hellas were defeated only once in 2021, ironically by Angelo Paul’s Adelaide City on the opening day of the season. On that day, City created the chances and took them with aplomb, scoring five goals against its rivals. Despite West Adelaide triumphing over City in the next four encounters, City has had big parts of the game played on its terms, the only difference being its inability to be consistently clinical in front of goals.
The Grand Final saw both sides enter eager to play their games which resulted in some early success. An alert Annalee Grove, who had clearly done her homework, snuffed out multiple City through balls in a sweeper-keeper role, while West Adelaide produced dangerous balls from wide areas that required intervention from the Black and White defence.
Despite the even nature of the encounter, the game’s balance was upset in the 27th minute when Alyce Macauley’s back pass to the ‘keeper was under hit and the league’s top scorer, Racheal Quigley, audaciously chipped Claudia Jenkins to record her 40th goal of the in all competitions in Season 2022. Minutes later Annalee Grove was called upon on her goal line to keep the score level by parrying an in-swinging corner to send her treble-chasing side to the sheds ahead.
In the biggest game of its season, Angelo Paul’s Adelaide City did not let misfortune cloud its game and entered the second half threatening to level proceedings. Goalkeeper Annalee
Grove continued in her role as West Adelaide guardian angel, denying her Adelaide United Captain Isabel Hodgson in a crucial one-on-one to keep her side ahead.
As the clock ticked down the tension was almost palpable and despite being on the defensive for the majority of the half, Hellas had the best of the opportunities late. In the last ten minutes, a Claudia Jenkins slip nearly gifted Harriet Burnett an empty net, before the City custodian was booked minutes later for bringing Racheal Quigley down after the forward advanced past her in a wide position.
Despite both sides’ best efforts, the scores remained unchanged, and after years of disappointment, West Adelaide claimed its maiden Championship, the most valuable jewel on a well-earned crown to send the retiring Maddie Du Rieu off a winner.
With women’s football in South Australia going from strength to strength every year, the West Adelaide-Adelaide City rivalry is no longer a one sided affair, but one that fans will savour for years to come.
Women’s National Premier Leagues SA Grand Final 2022
West Adelaide 1-0 Adelaide City
Goals: (WA) Rachael Quigley 27”
For media enquires please contact Matt Mays on 0437149777 or matt.mays@footballsa.com.au