Welcome to the Final Weekend Wash-Up for 2023 after the MyState Bank Women’s Super League wound to its conclusion at Valley Road on Saturday. In front of their home faithful, the Devonport Strikers claimed the last trophy on offer for 2023, downing surprise finalists Clarence Zebras 2-0 in the final. I'll take a look at that match and offer some final thoughts on the season that was before signing off for 2023.
Strikers Conclude Campaign On a High
The Devonport Strikers downed the Clarence Zebras 2-0 at Valley Road to end their season with a finals series victory.
The Strikers entered the game as warm favourites and came within a whisker of taking the lead in just the third minute of the match, as Jazmin White worked it to Maddy Payne in the box, who drilled a shot into the upright.
The Zebras were looking to replicate the tactical approach that saw them through to the final, sitting deep in defence and looking to pick their moments on the counter-attack when they presented themselves. Louisa Marmion was once again slotted in at centre-back and did a good job in containing the threat of goal machine Jazmin White.
Their approach nearly worked to perfection in the 18th minute, having absorbed pressure they launched a counter down the right as Baez threaded a ball through for Eliza Wyle, who in turn crossed into the area for Millie Baric, who got in behind the defence and fired off a shot only to be denied by a sliding Ponting and backtracking Analee Bidwell.
But sitting deep brings with it other threats, particularly the distance shooting and set-piece threat Devonport carries. In the 25th minute, they won a free kick just outside the area and up stepped Georgia King to unleash an absolute rocket of a free kick that blew past Pinkiewicz and into the back of the net. There are none better over the dead ball in the competition than King in this situation and this was a perfect demonstration of why.
The Strikers continued to dominate territorially for the remainder of the half, coming close to extending the lead on a half dozen occasions, but finding themselves unable to get their shots on target. The Zebras were working hard to apply the pressure defensively and whilst it remained at 1-0 they were always a chance of sneaking one back the other way.
The second half followed that pattern, with the Strikers probing away in search of the second goal to give them a comfortable buffer, but just unable to find the finish as the Zebras continued to defend stoutly, though they offered limited threat back the other way.
It took until stoppage time for the elusive goal to arrive and seal the victory. Pinkiewicz made a superb leg save to deny Maddy Payne, but the Strikers regained possession, and Lucy Foote iced the game in style, skipping past a defender before firing a well-placed shot from outside the box into the bottom corner.
Finally they could breathe easy, the Zebras were vanquished and the Strikers were confirmed as finals series victors, 2-0 victors to end their season on a high after finishing second in the league.
For the Strikers this was the first major piece of silverware for their Women’s side at this level and can be a springboard for next season. South Hobart had their number in the Super League this season, but it felt like the gap was closing as the season wore on and if they can keep this core group around next season, they should be firmly in the title race.
The Zebras can also look back on the season as a success, a top-four finish was the aim and that was what they achieved. Whilst the 32-point gap to the top suggests they’re still some distance from pushing for the title yet, their young group took great strides this season and the semi-final win over South Hobart was one of the gutsiest performances you're likely to see. They also took out the Summer Cup back in the preseason, so they have some silverware to show for what was primarily meant to be a developmental year.
Final Thoughts and Awards Ballot
So with that the 2023 season is in the book and the offseason is upon us. I’ll end this final wash-up for the season as I do every season, with my own personal awards ballot, summing up how I saw things and taking a look back at some of the moments of the season.
Player of the Season
5th Jenna Farrow
Farrow was far from the busiest goalkeeper in the WSL in 2023 playing behind South’s stellar defence, but when she was required she was incredibly decisive. Her athleticism in goals is outstanding, allowing her to make some remarkable saves that very few other keepers are capable of and she ranks as the best goalkeeper that I've seen in my time covering the local game. She owned the big moments and when her side needed a big save, there was Farrow to provide it.
4th-Bridie Cooling
Defensive players often get overlooked in the end-of-season awards as the position is rarely conducive to them polling well, but Cooling deserves enormous acclaim for the season she put together, leading the imperious South Hobart defence with a blend of composure in possession and dogged determination out of it. Capable of switching things up with long balls from the back, or applying herself to a man-marking role, Cooling was the complete defender for her side. South Hobart conceded just six times all season and at one stage went over 1000 minutes without conceding, which is statistically the stingiest defence in WSL history.
3rd- Jazmin White
What more is there to say about White’s stunning campaign, she has done it for so many seasons now that you almost take for granted how extraordinary the numbers she is putting up are. A 36-goal WSL campaign was arguably her best season yet as she routinely terrorised defences with her lightning-fast pace. The competition’s premier striker continues to pillage goals for fun and week after week defences simply had no answer to her. She scored 22 more goals than the next best, underlining just how dominant she is in this department.
2nd- Lucy Roberts
The heartbeat of the South Hobart engine room, Roberts enjoyed a superb season orchestrating the midfield, primarily as a deep-lying playmaker. South controlled so many games through the midfield and so much of that was down to the brilliance of Roberts. Her range of passing is probably the best in the league, and she pulled the strings expertly, progressing the ball up the pitch and dominating in ball retention. A smart player who makes great decisions and rarely misplaces a pass, Roberts offered South near-complete control in matches and was the metronome in midfield.
1st- Pishon Choi
Could’ve gone either way, but ultimately Choi’s goalscoring exploits in the biggest matches of the season, against their title rivals puts her over the edge and why I’ve opted for her over Roberts. This was the year that Choi broke out from underrated utility to genuine star of the competition. In the biggest game, in the biggest moments, it was Choi who so often produced the crucial goals. Her ability in the air belies her physical stature, she is the single biggest threat aerially in the competition and scored more headed goals than anyone. Smart on the ball and able to progress it in the build-up play, Choi is the ultimate box-to-box midfield and deserves all the plaudits that have come her way this season. An extremely well rounded player and instrumental in South's success.
Rising Star- Graciella Baez
The young Zebras midfielder was given a lot of responsibility in the Zebras midfield this year and seized on that opportunity to produce a fine season. Baez's creativity and eye to pick a pass really stood out this year as she played with an intelligence and maturity you would expect from a more senior player. The trajectory she is on suggests Baez is going to be an absolute star of the future and she looks as though she is going to be taking over matches in the not-too-distant future.
Coach of the Year- Alastair Russell/Craig Westwood
Can't go past the coaching team of the side who posted an undefeated season, breaking defensive records on their way to South Hobart's first major Women's trophy. South were expected to compete for the title this season, but they simply ran away with it and had it on lock a long way from the finish line. It was a season beyond what they could've dreamed up in the pre-season and they showed no sign of letting up, maintaining their focus right till the very end.
Match of the Season- Round 2- South Hobart 3-3 Devonport
The best game I saw all year came early on the piece and set the tone for the exciting season to follow with a breathtaking game at Darcy Street. The Devonport Strikers led 3-0 early in the second half before a furious late rally from South Hobart saw them fight back to snatch a point. Lucy Roberts was unerring from the penalty spot in the 96th minute of the match to level it at 3-3, after Hayley Julian had seemingly saved the Strikers with a penalty save earlier in the match. This one had it all and the belief that it provided South Hobart was a springboard for their season to follow.
Moment of the Season- Williams Inspires Taroona To Victory
Taroona had endured a difficult season, slumping to some heavy losses in the first third of the season and whilst they had gotten back on track, a winless season still appeared likely. Enter Jessie Williams, the former youth Matilda who came aboard for the final six rounds and promptly lit up the league. On her return to the round ball game, she would score two stunning goals and then assist Dunbabin's 88th minute winner as the Pirates were rewarded for perseverance and secured a first win of the year, 4-3 over the Lions. The joyous celebrations showed what it meant to them and the contribution of Williams in delivering it was profound.
Final Thoughts
So there we have it and that brings an end to my reporting on the MyState Bank Super League for 2023. It’s been a pleasure covering this competition once again this year and thank you all for reading throughout the season. Enjoy your Summer breaks and before we know it the 2024 season will have come around.