Perth Glory will make history this season when they take to the field with Sam Kerr as the first marquee in Westfield W-League history.
While the striker’s return home has buoyed Perth ahead of the new campaign, there are plenty of other reasons for Glory fans to get excited for the 2018/19 Season.
In her own words…@samkerr1 discusses re-signing for Glory and how much winning the @WLeague title with her hometown club would mean to her.#OneGlory pic.twitter.com/ghzYAhPugI
— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) October 4, 2018
History
One of the inaugural clubs when the Westfield W-League kicked off in 2008/09, Perth have maintained a consistent mid-table presence throughout the league’s history.
That doesn’t mean they haven’t collected silverware, with the Glory taking out the 2014 Premiership before succumbing to Canberra United 3-1 in the Grand Final.
Another appearance on the final day of the season followed in 2016/17 but Perth were again beaten, this time by Melbourne City 2-0.
Colours and badge
The colour purple has been iconic with football in Perth. The women’s side continue this tradition, donning a purple strip with white sleeves.
The badge too has remained largely unchanged with a football surrounded by a blazing sun underneath the club’s name.
Home ground
Perth Glory plays their home games at Dorrien Gardens and occasionally feature in double headers with the Hyundai A-League side at nib Stadium.
Coach
Club legend Bobby Despotovski has been at the helm since 2015, overseeing the 2016/17 Premiership triumph.
As a player, Despotovski made 240 appearances for the Glory while also winning the Johnny Warren medal in 2005/06.
Players
Sam Kerr needs no introduction. Her feats on the international stage and in the United States have dominated headlines in recent years but her record in the Westfield W-League is equally as impressive.
With 13 goals in 9 appearances last year, the fitness of two-time Julie Dolan Medal-winner Kerr will make or break Perth’s season.
That’s not to say there aren’t other key pieces of the Glory puzzle. American star Rachel Hill returns for a second season while club stalwarts Kim Carroll and Sarah Carroll have also re-signed.
Best season
The 2014 season was a breakthrough for the Glory as they finished atop the Westfield W-League ladder for the first time in their history with a 10-point margin. They fell agonisingly short of a double however after being beaten by Canberra at nib Stadium on Grand Final day.
Did you know
Two out of three isn’t bad.
Of the three times Perth have finished in the top four they have gone on to make the Grand Final on two of those occasions.
