After a year-long absence Perth Glory return to the Westfield W-League Finals Series: could this be the season they break their Championship drought?
Although they only made the Westfield W-League 2018/19 Finals Series on goal difference, Bobby Despotovski’s troops carry the sort of firepower no side wants to face.
BACKGROUND: What is rebel Play Football Round?
WHERE I’M FROM: Olympians and latecomers: Celebrating Play Football Round
PREVIEW: Victory v Glory
A cut-throat final in Melbourne against the Westfield W-League 2018/19 Premiers awaits at 2.00pm on Sunday (AEDT).
If Sam Kerr and company can abruptly end the Victory’s season, the side will have a real shot at landing their first Championship.
But how did they get this far? Here’s how the Glory made the finals.
Goals get the ball rolling
Any suggestions that a gruelling 1-1 draw up in Brisbane in Round 1 would set the tone for Perth’s season were categorically dispelled by Round 2’s result, a spectacular 4-4 draw in Canberra.
Down to 10 players, Perth scored three in the final 10 minutes to earn a point, having trailed 4-1 in the 81st minute.
From there the Glory clicked, putting three past the Western Sydney Wanderers in a straight-forward 3-0 win before running riot against reigning Champions Melbourne City, a 5-2 thumping which further boosted the argument that Perth have the strongest attack in the league.
Glory hit mid-season wall
Perth travelled to Adelaide United in Round 6 full of confidence, only to see a Sam Kerr double get cancelled out by American striker Veronica Latsko.
The following week saw another American forward stonewall the Glory, two goals in two minutes from Katie Stengel forcing another 2-2 draw with Newcastle Jets.
Back to back draws came as a frustration, but a sensational Kerr brace would get Glory back on track in Round 8 with 2-1 win over Sydney FC.
However, Melbourne Victory’s Natasha Dowie dealt Glory a blip the following match, condemning Perth to a 2-1 loss in Round 9.
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Consistency an issue heading into Finals Series
Perth were back in the winner’s circle with a 1-0 triumph against Canberra, but their hard work was undone by a 3-1 loss to an under-strength Jets in Round 11.
Glory’s forwards found their form against a hapless Wanderers outfit in Round 13, the 5-1 victory keeping Glory’s slim Premiership hopes alive.
But Melbourne Victory ensured that faint ambition came to a halt in the final fixture of the regular season, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat at home despite another Kerr strike.
Star player – Samantha Kerr
With 13 goals and 4 assists in 11 appearances, it has certainly been a tremendous campaign for Sam Kerr.
The Westfield W-League’s all-time leading goalscorer will be desperate to atone for a missed opportunity to become Champions in the Westfield W-League 2016/17 Season, when Melbourne City travelled to Perth and took home the trophy with a 2-0 victory.
The 25-year-old dynamo will yet again look to be the difference on Sunday for her side, although she will have quality support flanking her in Rachel Hill and Alyssa Mautz.
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Record against Melbourne Victory
Perth have recorded two close losses against the Premiers this season, both fixtures ending in 2-1 defeats.
Christine Nairn was influential in each encounter, scoring the eventual winner in the first encounter before registering a goal and an assist in Round 14’s match, played last Friday.
Perth were unfortunate to not secure a draw in the game, and Bobby Despotovski will be imploring to his players that they can dump the Victory from the Finals Series on Sunday afternoon.
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