Perth Glory has arguably been the team most affected by COVID over the last two seasons. Their 2020-21 campaign was badly disrupted, and 2021-22 was almost a complete write-off in terms of home games, with the team being forced to relocate to the east coast for nearly the entire season.
No COVID disruptions are on the horizon (although it may be prudent for the club to be prepared just in case), so there is a degree of optimism within the camp that they can make the top four for the first time since the 2018-19 season.
Last Season
Glory finished fifth and on the same points as Melbourne Victory, having won seven, drawn four and lost just three, but missed out on the finals due to goal difference. A major reason for this was their lack of goals – only 20 scored, the fourth lowest in the league.
Key Facts
| Coach | Alex Epakis |
| Captain | Natasha (Tash) Rigby |
| Last Season | 5th |
| Venue | Macedonia Park (4,000 capacity) |
| Membership | Adult $135 (Access to all 9 home games)
Junior $65 (Access to all home games) Family $335 (Access to all 9 home games for 2 x Adults and 2 x Juniors) |
Squad
| Liz Anton (NZ) | Defender |
| Morgan Aquino | Goalkeeper |
| Rylee Baisden (USA) | Attacker |
| Sarah Cain | Midfielder |
| Kim Carroll | Defender |
| Gabriella Coleman (USA) | Attacker |
| Abbey Green | Attacker |
| Milan Hammond | Attacker |
| Cyera Hintzen (USA) | Attacker |
| Alana Jancevski | Attacker |
| Demi Koulizakis | Attacker |
| Sara Langman | Goalkeeper |
| Sadie Lawrence | Midfielder |
| Hana Lowry | Midfielder |
| Ella Mastrantonio | Midfielder |
| Tijan McKenna | Midfielder |
| Claudia Mihocic | Defender |
| Susan Phonsongkham | Attacker |
| Natasha Rigby (Capt) | Defender |
| Sofia Sakalis | Midfielder |
| Isabella Wallhead | Defender |
Coach
Alex Epakis is now in his third season with the club. His first campaign ended with a wooden spoon and no wins, but in his second one, he took the team to fifth spot despite only playing one game in Perth.
Ins and Outs
Ins
| Rylee Baisden | Attacker | North Carolina Courage |
| Gabriella Coleman | Attacker | HK Kopavogur (Iceland) |
| Milan Hammond | Attacker | Blacktown Spartans |
| Ella Mastrantonio | Midfielder | Subiaco AFC |
| Sarah Langman | Goalkeeper | Western Sydney Wanderers |
Outs
| Sarah Carroll | Defender | Not Retained |
| Gemma Craine | Attacker | Not Retained |
| Deborah-Anne De La Harpe | Defender | Sydney FC |
| Lisa De Vanna | Attacker | Not Retained |
| Poppie Hooks | Defender | Not Retained |
| Mie Leth Jans | Midfielder | HB Koge (Denmark) |
| Aideen Keane | Attacker | Injured |
| Courtney Newbon | Goalkeeper | Not Retained |
Key Players
Kiwi international Liz Anton has been an outstanding defender for Glory since she arrived in season 2020-21. She will once again be critical for the team, who will need to be difficult to break down if they don’t improve on last season’s poor goalscoring record.
Alongside her at the centre of defence is the evergreen Kim Carroll, whose calmness on the ball and distribution from the back provide the platform for Glory to counterattack from.
Finally, Hana Lowry will be looking for a statement season if she is to try and impress Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson leading into the World Cup. There is no doubting her technical ability, but she now needs to take games by the scruff of the neck and become the focal point for the team, given the departure of Danish international Mie Leth Jans.
One To Watch
American Cyera Hintzen was the team’s leading goalscorer in 2021-22 with five goals, and Epakis will be hoping she can continue that form for this season. A strong and direct player, she caused problems for defences last time around and if she can stay fit for the season she will again be a major goal threat for the Perth side.
Prediction
The loss of Deborah-Anne De La Harpe and Mie Leth Jans means they go into 2022-23 without two of their most influential players from last season. The lack of goals is also a concern, and whilst new attackers have been brought in they will need time to bed down. History is not favourable either, as Glory has only made finals football when Sam Kerr was playing for them.
5th spot would again be a good effort from them.
Fixture
The campaign kicks off with an away trip to Canberra United.
| Date | Saturday 19th November |
| Venue | McKellar Park |
