Antonee Burke-Gilroy has emerged as Perth’s unlikely hero with a stunning goal and an assist to sink a 10-man Melbourne Victory 3-0 in delivering Glory their first win of the A-League Men season.
Little-known midfielder Burke-Gilroy’s brilliant long-range effort broke the deadlock in the 66th minute, before he teed up Ciaran Bramwell for Perth’s second eight minutes later, with Bruno Fornaroli adding a third in the 88th minute at AAMI Park.
WATCH: Burke-Gilroy’s stunner
Victory midfielder Rai Marchan was sent off late in injury time of the first half on a dirty night for the home side, who dropped their first points under former Glory coach Tony Popovic.
They also had defender Brendan Hamill substituted off with a groin injury in the 13th minute.
The undermanned Glory’s win was more impressive given the absences of captain Brandon O’Neill (personal), goalkeeper Brad Jones (calf), Daniel Sturridge (managed) and Andy Keogh (calf).
Victory were again without Roderick Miranda and Chris Ikonomidis (thigh).
There were few genuine first-half chances but the game was turned on its head just before half-time when Marchan stuck up a high boot as he went to contest the ball with Jonathan Aspropotamitis and caught the Perth defender high.
Aspropotamitis was on the turf for several minutes and required strapping around his head.
After a VAR review, referee Kurt Ams red-carded Marchan.
WATCH: Marchan receives marching orders
Tensions threatened to boil over just before half-time when Bruno Fornaroli was booked for a challenge on Stefan Nigro.
After a dour first half, Perth made the most of their numbers advantage and started to create chances.
In the 66th, Burke-Gilroy struck.
Glory played a short corner and the 24-year-old unleashed a fizzing, spinning strike that sped into the back of Ivan Kelava’s goal.
Eight minutes later, Burke-Gilroy used some fancy footwork and whipped a tantalising ball towards the six-yard box, where Bramwell leapt highest to head home.
Late in the piece, Fornaroli smacked home a wonderful long-range strike to round out the win.
WATCH: Fornaroli puts the icing on the cake
The striker wheeled around and made a beeline for the Glory bench, celebrating past Popovic on his way through to coach Richard Garcia.
Victory were awarded a late penalty when Jason Davidson went down in the area but it was overruled after a VAR review.
