Photo: Beryl Woodfin and Player of the Series Evie Gooch

Northern Redbacks and Queens Park Thunder fought hard in a physical and intense game at Coker Park Sunday April 7.

The Redbacks win 2-0 over Queens Park adds to their impressive trophy tally for the past few decades.

The Series did however, highlight several significant factors. It won’t be a one horse race for the League Championship this year. With several Glory players such as Shannon May at Beckenham Angels and Elisa Dovidio at Balcatta, clubs have been strengthened across the board. Let’s not forget new premier entrant Melville City. They have their own impressive trophy tally and much youth to brag about.

Melville First team goalkeeper Evie Gooch won the Dave Woodfin Player of the Night Series for the Premier Group. The trophy, presented by Beryl Woodfin, the late Dave Woodfin’s wife, is the inaugural trophy selected by the coaches for the series.

Evie is just 17 and the Melville women’s number 1 goalkeeper. She was outstanding throughout the series, denying Perth Glory players and instrumental in keeping champion club Redbacks to a 1-0 win over Melville in their last group game.

Redbacks Captain Carla Bennett won the Tracey Wheeler Player of The Final. With Tim Hodgson stepping aside from the coaching role this year, Carla’s Dad Neil has carried forward the tough playing philosophy with his first year at the helm.

The lead up game in the First Division Grand Final was taken out by a well organised Leeming Strikers 2-1 over Bunbury Forum Force. Sandra Brentnall as always dictating play from the midfield for the Strikers and Lisa Ward leading strongly up front for the Force.

The First Division sees two new entrants this year in Bunbury and Cockburn City. This will be a strong division. The two finalists must be contenders after their performances through the Night Series.

The season proper starts April 14.