2018-2019 WSFL Preview: South Perth FC

Last Season: 2nd (Playoff Champions)

So often the bridesmaids, finally the champions. Can they do it again? More importantly, how do you improve the side that won it all last season.

There is certainly little to fault in the starting four. Eleanor Bates the MVP candidate cutting in from the flanks with Georgie Kent providing the energy in the middle of the court. Ingrid Gomez Basallo was a marquee signing last season as South Perth swooped in to spirit her away from Perth AFC and promptly fired her way to the Golden Boot in Draft. Tiana Botha has pace to burn and if any of them go down to injury they have Doc Ramsey and any one of a high flying Draft side to come in.

But Noi Pukkaew is where it all comes together.

Arguably the standout goalkeeper in the league, she bounced back from serious injury to prove the backbone for her side and the point of difference in the finals. Banishing Stirling in the preliminary and Cumbre in the final, she was at her imperious best as South Perth finally took out the trophy.

Once the bridesmaids, then the champions, now the favourites. Stirling once cast a long shadow over the league. History beckons if South Perth do the same.

Main Lady: Noi Pukkaew

The wall of South Perth and their inspiration. Sidelined for far too long Noi returned and starred as South Perth held Cumbre at bay to take out the trophy in an end to end final, Golden Gloves at seasons end her just reward. The league waits to see what she can do with a full season under her belt.

One to Watch: Ingrid Gomez Basallo

Top scorer in Draft and chiming in with a few clutch strikes in the WSFL. South Perth reaped the rewards of signing up the Latin goal machine. With a taste of silverware and the squad to challenge at home and interstate, she looks perfectly poised to menace defences across the league in the season to come.