Glory ALM Interim Head Coach Adam Griffiths believes that there is plenty of room for improvement from his charges as they seek a second consecutive away victory against Macarthur FC on Sunday (kick-off at 3pm WST, watch live on Paramount+).
Click HERE to view his pre-match media conference in full.
The men in purple dug deep to get the better of Newcastle Jets last weekend, Tom Lawrence and Nicholas Pennington supplying the goals in a 2-1 triumph at McDonald Jones Stadium.
But the Head Coach feels that his squad has the potential to significantly improve their performance levels, starting this weekend as they target what would be a first ever away win over the Bulls.
“We’ve been preparing well and all our focus is on this next game,” he said.
“The last game has gone and this one’s the most important.
“The return [flight from Newcastle]… was a much better trip.
“The energy has been good for the last three weeks, the focus has been there and the boys are enjoying themselves.
“This team needs to raise by around 20% and continue to push.
“We’re doing that every single day.
“I feel this team has the potential to go on a little run and that’s the objective.”
Glory’s attacking options have been boosted by the return of both Lawrence and Adam Taggart and Griffiths feels that the co-captain and the Welshman have the potential to become a potent pairing.
“The quality of both of those players is huge for the team,” he said.
“We saw in the games against Central Coast and Melbourne Victory that we probably lacked that real final edge.
“With those two back and working closely together in training, I’m expecting to see that combination being a nice one for Perth.”
In terms of squad news, Griffiths confirmed that Josh Risdon and Brandon O’Neill will both return to the selection frame this weekend, but Lachlan Wales is unfortunately set for a spell on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring injury in the win over the Jets.
Defender Sam Sutton and midfielder Luke Amos will also be unavailable for the trip to Campbelltown, but both have now returned to modified training and are on track to resume full training within the next two weeks.
Goalkeeper Mark Birighitti, meanwhile, is closing in on a return to full fitness having recovered well from his knee injury.
Of the 11 previous ALM meetings between the two sides, the Bulls have won six to Glory’s two, with the most recent of those victories for the WA side coming in December 2023.
Under the guidance of former Glory forward Mile Sterjovski, Macarthur have made a steady start to the season, collecting seven points from their opening five games courtesy of wins over Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix and a draw with Western Sydney Wanderers.
The Bulls have also enjoyed their foray into the AFC Cup this year, collecting two wins and a draw from their opening four games to put them on the brink of topping their group ahead of Thursday evening’s home meeting with Hong Kong side, Tai Po.
Their squad contains a number of ex-Glory representatives, in the form of Walter Scott, Chris Ikonomidis and Kristian Popovic, along with several seasoned ALM campaigners including midfield lynchpin Luke Brattan who has won 12 tackles and delivered 32 crosses this term, Polish ‘keeper Filip Kurto who has made 17 saves and former Sydney FC Premiership winner, Anthony Caceres.
Match Details
Isuzu UTE A-League 2035/26 Season Round 6
Macarthur FC v Perth Glory
Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Sunday 30 November 2025
Kick-off: 3pm WST (6pm Local Time)
Macarthur Bulls squad: 1. Alex ROBINSON, 5. Matthew JURMAN, 6. Tomislav USKOK, 7. Sime GRZAN, 8. Luke VICKERY, 10. Anthony CACERES, 11. BERNARDO, 12. Filip KURTO, 13. Rafael DURAN MARTINEZ, 14. Kristian POPOVIC, 17. Oliver RANDAZZO, 18. Walter SCOTT, 19. Harry POLITIDIS, 22. Liam ROSE, 24. Dean BOSNJAK, 25. Callum TALBOT, 26. Luke BRATTAN, 28. Harrison SAWYER, 29. Zane HELWEH, 33. Dong-won JI
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 24. Dean BOSNJAK (return from injury)
Outs: Damien DA SILVA (injured)
Unavailable: 9. Chris IKONOMIDIS – injured, 31. Sebastian KRSLOVIC – injured; 35. Henrique OLIVEIRA (U17 Joeys duty)
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, 17.Arion SULEMANI, 18.Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Trent OSTLER , 21.Adam BUGARIJA, 22.Adam TAGGART (co-c), 24.Andriano LEBIB, 25.Sebastian DESPOTOVSKI, 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, 17.Arion SULEMANI, 19.Josh RISDON
Outs: 11.Lachlan WALES
Unavailable: 1.Mark BIRIGHITTI(gk) (injured), 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)
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