Perth finished eighth last season and will be looking to improve their defence to take a step forward this time around.
Last season’s position
8th, 37 goals scored, 50 goals conceded.
Finals series
N/A
FFA Cup
Round of 32 in 2017, Round of 32 in 2018
Last season, Perth finished eighth. They did well in the latter part of the season when Adam Taggart returned from injury, but they could have improved in their defence, letting in 50 goals, second highest in the season. In the offseason, Perth lost five players, defenders Joseph Mills and Jeremy Walker, Spanish midfield duo Andreu and Xavi Torres and star striker Adam Taggart.
They have replaced these players by signing Tando Velaphi from Wellington, Jason Davidson from Croatia, Matthew Spiranovic from China, Tomislav Mrcela from South Korea and Ivan Franjic from Brisbane Roar.
Spanish midfielder Juande joins from Italy to fill the void left by Andreu and Xavi Torres. Attackers Brendon Santalab, Christopher Ikonomidis and Fabio Ferriera join from rivalling A-League clubs Western Sydney and Sydney FC respectively.
Strengths and weaknesses
Perth Glory has three out of four players who were in the backline of Australia’s 2015 Asian Cup triumph, Matthew Spiranovic, Jason Davidson and Ivan Franjic. Tomislav Mrcela joins after playing club football in Croatia and the Jeonam Dragons in Korea.
The defence of this Perth Glory side is rebooted and letting in 50 goals in back to back seasons is far from likely.
Occasionally Perth’s attack let them down in many of the A-League games last season, but with the arrival of Taggart, the pieces fell into place. His departure will be a huge loss, especially as some of the attackers from last season are approaching the twilight of their careers, and this also applies for Brendon Santalab and Fabio Ferriera.
Players
Top scorer, Adam Taggart (8). Top assister, Diego Castro (5). Most minutes, Liam Reddy (2,317). Most passes, Xavi Torres (798).
Transfer window grade: Indifferent
While Perth Glory’s defensive woes in recent seasons look to come to an end, an attack without Taggart is unpromising. Santalab and Ferriera, his replacements, are both unlikely to deliver.
Squad
GKs
1) Tando Velaphi, 33) Liam Reddy, 40) Jackson Lee
DEFs
2) Alex Grant, 3) Jason Davidson, 4) Shane Lowry, 5) Ivan Franjic, 6) Dino Djulbic, 13) Matthew Spiranovic, 16) Tomislav Mrcela, 23) Scott Neville, 25) Walter Scott
MIDs
8) Neil Kilkenny, 15) Brandon Wilson, 20) Jake Brimmer, 24) Callum Timmins, 27) Juande
AMs/WIs
7) Joel Chianese, 14) Chris Harold, 17) Diego Castro, 18) Daniel Styles, 22) Fabio Ferriera, 29) Chris Ikonomdis
STs
9) Andy Keogh, 11) Brendon Santalab
Predicted best eleven
4-4-2
3) Jason Davidson, 5) Ivan Franjic, 8) Neil Kilkenny, 9) Andy Keogh, 13) Matthew Spiranovic, 16) Tomislav Mrcela, 21) Jacob Italiano, 22) Fabio Ferriera, 27) Juande, 29) Chris Ikonomidis, 33) Liam Reddy
Prediction
8th. A good yet new backline, but with a more toothless attack and a midfield similar to last season. A similar mark is the likeliest scenario.
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