The competitiveness in Australian football arguably has never been better. One of the beautiful aspects of our game is how quickly the table can turn in a short span of time.
In the A-League, six points separate second from tenth. In the Dub, the same amount of points separates second from ninth. Thankfully for us in the west, the Glory are right amongst the squabble for finals positions in both competitions.
The rest of the month is crucial for the club. Three of the next four matches for each team are at home. Taking advantage in this stretch will set the path as the second half of the season approaches.
Tonight, the women play host to the bottom of the ladder Wanderers, coming off a third consecutive 1-0 win at home.
Adam Griffiths returns to HBF Park in a bid for vengeance following a hard fought defeat to the Victory, and to get one back on the Mariners who snatched all three points the last time they visited Perth back in November.
Talk is cheap. The time for winning is now. Fortress Sam Kerr and HBF are ready and waiting. For the teams coming across to Perth: if you want some, come get some.
What tactical adjustments will Griffiths make?
A win and a narrow defeat from the trip to Melbourne doesn’t seem too bad on paper. What hurts is that it could’ve been two wins from two.
The Glory came out strong against the Victory, taking the lead through Trent Ostler and creating the better chances, one of which should’ve been dispatched by Arion Sulemani.
Around the half hour mark, the Vuck took control of the game and found the latest of late equalisers right before half time.
They carried the momentum into the second half, getting into a two goal lead which they were able to hold onto despite Khoa Ngo halving the deficit late on.
Not being able to claw back control of the contest ultimately cost the Glory in the end. A positive start and finish will inspire confidence; the middle period is where the game was lost.
Griffiths spoke of the need to improve in possession in his post-match press conference. His side will need to be switched on against a team who pressed Adelaide to great effect last Sunday.
The Mariners can also defend deep quite well, as they proved back in November. Whether it’s personnel wise or slight tweaks during the match, Griffiths will have to be on the ball to get one over on Warren Moon’s men, who haven’t lost to the Glory in their last five encounters.
Does Pennington remain on the left?
Tying in with the potential personnel switches that could be made, where Nicholas Pennington is deployed is up in the air.
The predominantly central midfielder completed 15 passes and had 38 touches in a quiet outing last week by his standards, coming off for the returning Luke Amos in the 77th minute.
Amos’ immediate impact, along with the upcoming returns of Lachie Wales and Jaiden Kucharski, will put Pennington’s spot at potential risk.
For this game, I wouldn’t be surprised if he remains out wide. Eventually though, he will either make way or return to his natural position.
Fitting in all the top players when they’re available is going to be a challenge. Whether it can be done and Pennington can be utilised in the best way possible remains to be seen.
And for the Glory girls…
Can they be fluent without Rola Badawiya?
Rola Badawiya was a key out for last week’s clash with Newcastle Jets, but despite her absence the Glory girls were still able to find the back of the net and claim another win at home.
Badawiya remains out for this week too, once again putting the attacking load on some of the Glory’s younger attacking cohort.
Sarah O’Donoghue took her opportunity well starting up front, registering the assist for Izzy Dalton’s winner in the early going.
Bronte Trew and Ella Lincoln played a half each, while Gabby Hollar came on a bit later without majorly threatening the Jets goal.
The last time the teams met, it was Hollar who did the damage on the scoresheet. There’s enough talent to score goals, and most of them have found the net this season. They’ll have to bring it against a team who is capable of causing an upset, despite their ladder position.
Predicted lineup
Lawrence – Taggart
Pennington – Bozinovski – Freney – Ostler
Sutton – Kaltak – Wootton – Shamoon
Sutton
All images courtesy of Tom McCarthy.
