An overhauled Perth Glory side will look to put last season’s wooden spoon behind them, can they challenge for finals?
Last season…
A-League Women: 9th
Finals: Did not qualify
They’ll win the league because…
The only way is up for Perth Glory in the 2021/2022 season.
The club have identified the issues from their last campaign and sought to address them in the off-season by bringing in international and interstate players to supplement the homegrown WA talent.
Likewise, with their transfer business out of the way, coach Alex Epakis will have a full pre-season to work with his squad and implement his ideas. This factor alone will provide a massive boost following a COVID-affected season last year. A new-look squad possessing a mix of youth and experience will be expected to challenge for the premiership come season’s end.
They’ll be cellar dwellers because…
Closing the gap between Glory and the rest of the league will be a big task.
The team picked up one point last season finishing with a goal difference of -25 and six points off Newcastle Jets in eighth place.
While the side has been overhauled for the upcoming season, it may not be enough to move them up the table. It will take time for Epakis to integrate his new signings into the squad and you can expect the team to improve as the season goes on. However, it could be too little too late and a poor start to the season could leave them in a similar situation to last year.
Talk around the water cooler… look smart in front of our colleagues with this valuable piece of information!
Founded in 1996, this season marks Perth Glory’s 25 year anniversary. To celebrate, the club has brought back their original badge for the 2021/22 season’s kit.
The off-season brought
Optimism.
Perth Glory has made a number of signings as they seek to bounce back from wooden spoon. American striker Cyera Hintzen will add some much-needed goals to the team. While the signing of Danish international Mie Leth Jans brings experience to a defence that shipped 32 goals last season. The club has tied down several key players and coach Epakis to long-term contracts, providing stability that should translate onto the pitch.
Key player
Natasha Rigby.
Now in her sixth season at the club, Tash has been a constant at the back for Glory over the years. From two grand finals in 2017 and 2019 to a last-place finish in 2021, she has experienced highs and lows during her Glory career.
The club captain played every minute of last year’s campaign and has amassed over 50 A-League Women appearances. This experience will be vital as she looks to lead her team further up the table.
One to watch
Hana Lowry.
The Junior Matildas star was a bright spark in an otherwise poor season for the Glory. She played every available match in her debut season for the club, putting in some impressive performances. The creative midfielder chipped in with two goals last season and will hope to add to her tally.
Coming into the new season, Lowry will look to build on these performances and help Glory move up the table.
INS: Morgan Aquino, Alana Jancevski, Demi Koulizakis, Claudia Mihocic, Aideen Keane, Kim Carroll, Susan Phonsongkham, Sarah Cain, Sofia Sakalis, Courtney Newbon, Sadie Lawrence, Cyera Hintzen, Mie Leth Jans
OUTS: Malia Steinmetz, Lily Alfeld, Patricia Charalambous, Jamie-Lee Gale, Sarah Morgan, Caitlin Doeglas, Katarina Jukic, Marianna Tabain, Rebecca Bennett
Full Squad List
Goalkeepers: Morgan Aquino, Courtney Newbon
Defenders: Elizabeth Anton, Kim Carroll, Sarah Carroll, Deborah-Anne De La Harpe, Mie Leth Jans, Claudia Mihocic, Natasha Rigby, Isabella Wallhead
Midfielders: Sarah Cain, Sadie Lawrence, Hana Lowry, Tijan McKenna, Sofia Sakalis, Alexia Moreno
Forwards: Gemma Craine, Abbey Green, Cyera Hintzen, Alana Jancevski, Aideen Keane, Demi Koulizakis, Susan Phonsongkham
Feature image credit: Darren Speedie VIP
Enjoy this content? Support The Football Sack
Due in part to COVID and lack of current sponsorship we are at risk of not having the funds to continue running The Football Sack. If you enjoy our content and support our work in training talented young writers, please support us with a donation. If every reader contributed just $3, our funding would be covered for over ten years.
| DONATE |
