Women's State Cup final: Fremantle, Balcatta out to end long wait

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Izzy Foletta Annabelle Leek — Balcatta Etna's IIzzy Foletta and Annabelle Leek of Fremantle City at the Sam Kerr Football Centre. Photo by Football West/FotoEnzo

There will be a new name on the Women’s State Cup tomorrow with Fremantle City and Balcatta Etna out to create their own bit of history at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.

This is Freo’s first appearance in the decider, while Balcatta are determined to go one better than on their two previous appearances in 2019 and 2021.

Both teams know what is at stake and are embracing it.

“It would be huge to be the club’s first winners of the State Cup,” Fremantle captain Annabelle Leek said.

“I have been at the club six or seven years now and played with the likes of Mikayla Lyons, who has also been there a long time. It would mean so much for us but also to be role models for girls coming through the system at Fremantle.”

Balcatta defender Izzy Floetta has similar sentiments.

“I think it will be really important to have the attention in the club on us, which in turn will show the girls at the junior level we are a competitive team and are something to aspire to.”

Balcatta have already tasted success at the Sam Kerr Football Centre this year, winning the Night Series. They also have the Top Four Cup coming up, having secured the last spot at Fremantle’s expense.

“We are chasing silverware this season, that’s our goal,” Foletta said. “The Night Series win set us up for a solid season and we want to add to it.”

That win over Perth SC in March had people tipping Peter Rakic’s team to become NPLWA – Women’s champions, rather than the side they defeated in the final. Foletta believes the large number of games the team had postponed eventually took its toll.

“I think it did affect us mentally in terms of a title run because we were in a good place mid-season when I felt we were playing really well,” Foletta said.

“It’s been very disruptive over the past few weeks, not knowing when we were playing or training, and we’ve seen that in some of our performances. We still have one league match to play. But I think we’ve finally come through that and we’re in good form for Saturday.”

For Fremantle, the State Cup final is their last match of head coach Sam Geddes’ first season in charge. Leek is backing them to go out on a high.

She said: “The second half of the season has been good. It took us a bit longer than we would have liked to get going, but we’ve been able to implement what Sam and Coral (Buxley) have been getting us to do in training.

“The mood in team really positive and we want to take that into this game. We’re very excited.

“They are always a good game with Balcatta. We’ve versed them three times this year and it’s been a draw, a loss and a win. So not much between us.”

Saturday’s game kicks off at 5.15pm, the last of four matches.

“Being the last game is quite nice, something different,” Leek said. “Hopefully a lot of supporters who are here for the men’s game stick around to watch and enjoy it. Under lights is always fun.”

Balcatta reached the final with a 2-1 win over Perth RedStar, while Fremantle defeated Hyundai Football West Academy 3-2.