Youth has no age, as Pablo Picasso once said. And like an artwork, Perth Glory’s young guns have grown in appreciation as the Westfield W-League 2018/19 Season has gone on.
Perth’s artist has been head coach Bobby Despotovski, who has brushed a series of masterstrokes by putting faith in the likes of Leticia McKenna, Alexia Moreno, Jenna Onions and Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, who are all below the age of 18.
The shining youth are testament to the future of the Westfield W-League and why Sam Kerr heaped praise on her young teammates following Perth’s 4-2 win over Melbourne Victory on Sunday afternoon.
Let’s take a closer look at the Glory’s young stars!
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Jacynta Galabadaarachchi
Galabadaaarachichi’s long surname is perhaps the perfect metaphor for the youngster’s long career ahead.
The 17-year-old has played four games for Perth this season, making two starts in the process.
Galabadaarachichi has represented Australia at the U17s and U20s level and, with her explosive pace and tight touch, fans can expect to be chanting her name in coming years.
Leticia McKenna
What a season McKenna has had for Perth Glory.
The 16-year-old midfielder has written the playbook for how to have a near-perfect debut Westfield W-League campaign, making 12 appearances — including one in a Semi-Final — and finding the back of the net twice.
McKenna’s maiden goal came in Round 2 against Canberra United, delicately chipping Sham Khamis from the edge of the box to showcase the awareness of someone well older than 16 years.
That was a sign of things to come, with McKenna kicking on for a stellar debut campaign, culminating in an assist for Sam Kerr in Perth’s Semi-Final win over Melbourne Victory.
McKenna has set the bar impressively high for herself and her peers, can she take things even further next season?
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5857373823001
Alexia Moreno
Joining McKenna in the midfield is youngster Alexia Moreno.
The 17-year-old made three appearances this season, grabbing a goal in Perth’s 5-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 13.
Moreno also found the net in her maiden Westfield W-League campaign, meaning the young midfielder has two goals in two seasons – and impressive strike rate for a burgeoning teenage star.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5993252359001
Jenna Onions
Onions must be thrilled with her first ever season in the Westfield W-League.
At only 17 years of age, Onions made nine appearances during the campaign including four starts.
The youngster had played the previous season with Queens Park and performed superbly in the NTC Challenge, attracting the interest of Perth.
With more than six hours of football this season for Onions, it’s not a bad way to kick start your first ever season in the Westfield W-League.
