Glory ALM Interim Head Coach Adam Griffiths is looking forward to seeing his charges go toe-to-toe with a Western Sydney Wanderers side he knows well in Friday night’s Round 7 showdown at HBF Park (kick-off at 6:45pm, tickets available HERE).
Click HERE to watch his full pre-match media conference
The men in purple will make a welcome return home after securing impressive back-to-back away wins against Newcastle Jets and most recently, Macarthur FC.
But with Alen Stajcic’s Wanderers having also hit some form in recent weeks, Griffiths is expecting a hard-fought battle.
“Western Sydney are a very strong team,” he said, “and they’ve just won two games in a row, including a big game in the Sydney Derby, so they’ll be looking to continue to push.
“They’ve got a strong squad and I’ve worked with a few of those players; [Bozhidar] Kraev, Kosta [Barbarouses], [Alex] Bonetig, [Aidan] Simmons and Lawrence Thomas.
“We’re expecting a very tough game, but they’re a team we’re excited to play against.
“It’s a big home game for us and we’re really excited about it.”
Griffiths is also determined to ensure that his players maintain the same approach which served them well during their two most recent away trips.
“We’re 100% focused on the next game and turning the team around in the right direction,” he said.
“So far we’re on the right track, but we’ve got to keep pushing.
“Whether we travel or we don’t, it doesn’t make any difference for us.
“Our mentality is that there is no excuse, we work hard, we’re looking to win every game and we’ll continue to do that.”
The Head Coach went on to provide an update on Glory’s walking wounded as the Mirrabooka treatment room continues to empty out.
“Sam Sutton is back in full training,” he said, “but he won’t be available this week.
“Luke Amos is back in modified training and Lachie Wales is not training.
“His [hamstring] injury is still a little bit unknown, but it’s worse than what we expected.
“[Andriano] Lebib is back training and will be up for selection again this week and [Mark] Birighitti has started training with the team, which is good.
“It’s just about making sure that he’s up to speed and ready to step in when needed.”
As for the visitors, they failed to win any of their opening four games of the campaign before managing to get the better of Central Coast Mariners a fortnight ago.
Stajic’s men followed that up by edging out Sydney FC in last weekend’s derby courtesy of a second-half goal from Alou Kuol.
Evergreen forward Barbarouses has been Wanderers’ main goal threat this season, finding the net on three occasions and the New Zealand international will be looking to add further gloss to an impressive return of ten goals in 32 appearances against Glory.
Other players to look out for in the Western Sydney ranks include Socceroo Josh Brillante, ex-Glory utility man Jarrod Carluccio and gifted midfield duo Steven Ugarkovic and Angus Thurgate.
Western Sydney ‘keeper Thomas has made the most saves in the competition so far this term with 25, while defender Anthony Pantazopoulos shares the highest amount of yellow cards received (4) with Glory’s Josh Risdon.
Friday’s meeting will be the 17th between the two sides at HBF Park, with Glory having enjoyed eight wins to Western Sydney’s four.
Match Details
Isuzu UTE A-League 2025/26 Season Round 7
Perth Glory v Western Sydney Wanderers
HBF Park
Friday 5 December 2025
Kick-off: 6:45pm
Perth Glory squad: 2.Charbel SHAMOON, 4.Scott WOOTTON (co-c), 5.Riley FOXE, 6.Brandon O’NEILL, 7.Nicholas PENNINGTON, 8.Callum TIMMINS, 9.Jaiden KUCHARSKI, 16.Gabriel POPOVIC,18.Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Trent OSTLER , 21.Adam BUGARIJA, 22.Adam TAGGART (co-c), 25.Sebastian DESPOTOVSKI, 26.Khoa NGO, 27.Will FRENEY, 29.Matt SUTTON (gk), 34.Tom LAWRENCE, 40.Ryan WARNER (gk), 45.Brian KALTAK
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 6.Brandon O’NEILL, 21.Adam BUGARIJA
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 3.Sam SUTTON (injured), 10.Luke AMOS (injured), 11.Lachlan WALES (injured), 13.Cameron COOK (gk) (injured), 15.Zach LISOLAJSKI (injured), 31.Joel ANASMO (injured)
Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 2. Gabriel CLEUR, 3. Alexander GERSBACH, 4. Alexander BONETIG, 5. Dylan SCICLUNA, 6. Mohamed AL-TAAY, 8. Steven UGARKOVIC, 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 17. Jarrod CARLUCCIO, 19. Ruon TONGYIK, 20. Lawrence THOMAS, 21. Aydan HAMMOND, 22. Anthony PANTAZOPOULOS, 23. Bozhidar KRAEV, 24. Nathan Barrie, 25. Joshua BRILLANTE, 30. Jordan HOLMES, 31. Aidan SIMMONS, 32. Angus THURGATE, 39. Awan LUAL, 45. Alou KUOL
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 6. Mohamed AL-TAAY, 39. Awan LUAL
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 26. Brandon BORRELLO (injured)
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