The 2025/26 Ninja A-League season gets underway on Friday evening, with Perth Glory travelling to the east coast for a game against Western Sydney Wanderers. It’s a fitting curtain-raiser featuring two clubs desperate to make a positive start after difficult campaigns in 2024/25.
For Glory coach Stephen Peters, now entering his second season in charge, this year represents a crucial opportunity to show progress. He has retained 18 players from last year’s squad and added seven new faces from interstate, overseas, and the local scene. Peters has stated that he expects this squad to challenge for the top six and get Glory back into post-season football for the first time since the 2018/19 season, when Bobby Despotovski was head coach and Sam Kerr wore the captain’s armband.
Looking Back: Season 2024/25
Last season was a mixed one for Glory. The team finished 10th, 11 points behind sixth-placed Western United and six points clear of wooden spooners Western Sydney Wanderers. The campaign ended on a low note with three consecutive losses, including their heaviest defeat when they lost 5-1 at home to Premiers Melbourne City in the final round.
Despite their struggles, there were some positives, not the least of which was their home form at the Sam Kerr Football Centre where they won six, drew one and lost just three times. However, their away form was poor, with no wins and just three points collected from 11 road trips. That weakness away from home ultimately doomed their finals hopes.
A New Campaign, New Hopes
Heading into 2025/26, Peters has shown loyalty to the group that battled through last season. He’s banking on continuity to bring cohesion and improvement. But there’s no denying the size of the challenge, especially after the departure of two key players, goalkeeper Casey Dumont and top scorer Kelli Brown.
Replacing Dumont, who was a commanding and consistent presence between the posts, will not be easy. Peters has taken a bold approach by opting for youth and potential over experience. Teresa Morrissey arrives from Central Coast Mariners, joined by local keepers Meg Phillips and Jess Skinner. None of the three have any A-League minutes to their name, though Morrissey was part of the Mariners’ Championship-winning squad last year. It’s a big gamble, especially if Morrissey were to be injured.
Building from the Back
Apart from the goalkeeping spot, the defensive unit remains largely unchanged. Onyinyechi Zogg and Naomi Chinnama return for another season at the heart of the backline, while Grace Johnston and Tijan McKenna are expected to again feature prominently as wing-backs. Returning defender Julia Sardo, signed from Western United, adds valuable experience, and Philippines international Emma Tovar provides further cover across the back line.
Midfield Depth and Promise
Glory’s midfield looks to be their strongest area. Captain Izzy Dalton leads from the centre once again, setting the tone with her leadership and composure on the ball. Alongside her, U23 Matilda Georgia Cassidy brings defensive steel and a relentless work rate.
One of the more exciting prospects this season is Clancy Westaway, a teenage talent from the Football Victoria Academy. The 18-year-old A-League rookie has huge potential and this has generated buzz within the club. Peters may need to balance her development with the team’s competitive demands carefully, but she could become a standout over time.
Goals, Goals, Goals?
The biggest question mark surrounds where the goals will come from. With last season’s golden boot Kelli Brown leaving to play for Newcastle Jets, Peters has turned to American striker Rola Badawiya, who joins from SC Braga in Portugal. The Californian forward has prior Ninja A-League experience with Sydney FC and Central Coast Mariners, scoring nine goals in 34 appearances.
She’ll be joined up front by Susan Phonsongkham, who is now the squad’s most prolific scorer with 10 career goals, and Bronte Trew, recruited from Western Sydney Wanderers. However, Trew’s record of four goals in 19 appearances suggests that the strike force will need time to gel.
If Glory are to push for a top-six finish, they’ll need this front line to find consistency quickly.
Pre-Season and Early Fixtures
Perth’s pre-season has offered few clues about their readiness. Most matches were played behind closed doors against local NPL boys’ teams, limiting the public’s chance to assess progress. Their one open fixture was the State Cup Challenge against a WA State NPLW Select side and it ended in a 2-0 defeat despite dominating possession. Peters has expressed frustration about the short nature of the pre-season and the lack of A-League quality opposition for warm-up games, and this is something that Glory management needs to address as this sort of preparation would not be accepted by the men’s team.
The opening month presents another challenge. The Sam Kerr Football Centre is unavailable until December, meaning Glory play just one home game in their first five fixtures, against Brisbane Roar at HBF Park. Away trips to Sydney FC, Canberra United, and Melbourne Victory then follow before their first home game at Sam Kerr against Wellington Phoenix on the 12th of December. A strong start will be essential if they’re to stay in touch with the top half early on.
The Road Ahead
Peters has shown a great deal of loyalty to a squad that finished 10th last season, which says a lot about his belief in his players. Many other A-League clubs have undergone major off-season overhauls, so Glory’s continuity could prove an advantage once the season settles. However, there are undeniable question marks, particularly in goal and up front, that will determine how far this group can progress.
Football, as the saying goes, is a funny old game. Based on current form and the tough early draw, Glory will need to exceed expectations to collect the 30-plus points likely required for finals football.
Still, with a mix of returning leaders, ambitious youth, and a coach determined to make his mark, Perth Glory will enter the 2025/26 Ninja A-League season with a steely resolve as they attempt to make the finals for the first time this decade.
