By Ben Gilby
It has been a historic season for the Azzurri’s women, and attacker Ruby Marshall believes that the roots of this season’s NPLW WA success can be traced back to the end of the 2024 campaign.
“Winning the State Cup last year gave us a taste of success. The league has been the ultimate goal and with the improvements of players and team morale we were all focused on achieving the league and more trophies. I believe this year we are really showing each team how strong we are.”
Marshall’s footballing journey started at a young age in the northern suburbs at Joondalup City. “I stayed there for nine years before joining Perth Soccer Club under 21s and moved up to the first team that same year, where I have been since. I would describe myself as a versatile player, as I have the ability to play anywhere on the pitch. I am a player that is always hungry for the ball and wanting to give the best for my team.
The player’s versatility has led to her playing in a number of different offensive positions this season, which has challenges of its own, but one of the keys to her consistently high levels of performance are a deep knowledge of the players around her.
“I started my journey at Perth with Jess Flannery when we both got pulled up to the first team at the same time, which has led us to having a great connection on the park. Having somebody of the dynamic ability of Ella Lincoln and her abundance of goals for is obviously a plus too,” the attacker said.
Whilst a first NPLW WA title may be confirmed, all eyes will soon turn to the Top Four Cup, which brings with it another chance to create history for the club, whilst having to battle against three other sides who will be determined to lower the Azzurri’s colours come September.
“We all just need to keep focused as a group and ensure that we are not conceding easy goals, and continue to play our style of football, and take advantage of the opportunities that we gain. We all want to win this for each other. Being a close group off the park causes us to have a great connection on the pitch, meaning we would give our all for each other on the park, we defend as one and attack as one.”