Author | Lightnews

Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 5d

United Cup news: Alex de Minaur and Maya Joint headline the Australian team, while Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu lead Team GB.

thewest.com.au

Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 6d

UNLOCKED AND FREE: It's Halloween, but less Nightmare on Elm (or Pier) Street & more Groundhog Day for Perth Glory.

How they reached the Zdrilic sacking was a Rube Goldberg machine of their own making.

My analysis on Perth's hunt for a fifth coach in six seasons.

It’s Glory’s Groundhog Day...again

Perth Glory are on the hunt for a fifth coach in six seasons since Tony Popovic's departure in 2020. Something has got to give.

thewest.com.au

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Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 6d

This is basically the bones of my as-yet-unpublished analysis. Nail, head etc.

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Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 6d

Perth Glory chief executive Anthony Radichon why they sacked David Zdrilic sacking just two games into the new season and the hunt for a fifth coach in six seasons - but any new coach is not expected to be able to bring a big support staff with them.

Why Glory sacked coach just two games into new season

Perth Glory chief executive Anthony Radich said a lack of on-field progression despite substantial investment was behind coach David Zdrilic’s sacking just two games into the new season.

thewest.com.au

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Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 7d

Breaking: Perth Glory have sacked David Zdrilic, one season and two games into a three-year deal. A brutal call in its timing, but very hard to argue against it.

Glory make HUGE call to sack head coach Zdrilic

After just one season and two games, David Zdrilic’s reign as Perth Glory coach is over, not even halfway through the three-year deal the club gave him in June 2024.

thewest.com.au

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Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 7d

"It was really hard, you didn’t know if you were going to have a job; this is our life, my career."

Julia Sardo has opened up on the uncertainty of Western United's off-field woes & her gratefulness Glory quickly moved to extend her professional career.

Glory new signing feared for future after United collapse

Julia Sardo admitted she feared for her future after Western United were placed into hibernation due to financial woes - and the new Perth Glory signing is thankful for the lifeline offered to her.

thewest.com.au

Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 8d

Spoke to @stevenmcgarry about Perth Glory's possession problems and lack of control over games. Not just a two-game sample size - Glory had a league-low 39.9 per cent average possession per game last season.

Perth’s lack of possession under microscope from Glory great

Perth Glory great Steven McGarry says his former side’s path to a renaissance starts with confronting their low possession stats, which is hindering their control over games.

thewest.com.au

Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 8d

It has been more than six years since Perth Glory played in the A-League Women finals - but coach Stephen Peters is confident the wait will end sooner rather than later.

Peters’ Perth out to end finals barren run

It has been more than six years since Perth Glory played in the A-League Women finals — but coach Stephen Peters is confident the wait will end sooner rather than later.

thewest.com.au

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Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 10d

Ancient Australian addage: when in doubt, give Caitlin Foord the ball #WALvAUS

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Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 11d

Sam Kerr has opened up on the self-doubt which plagued her during her 20-month injury lay-off, the mystery issue which kept her on the sidelines, and her hopes for the Women's Asian Cup.

‘Will this will ever go away?’: Kerr opens up on injury hell

Matildas superstar Sam Kerr has admitted she battled self-doubt during her marathon return from a torn ACL and wondered whether those negative feelings would ever dissipate.

thewest.com.au

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Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 11d

Lachie Wales think Sebastian Despotovski is a 'goldfish' in the best way possible, and has commended the Glory young gun's football IQ.

Wales praises Perth’s new prince after immediate impact

He may have just 77 minutes of senior football to his name but Perth Glory‘s Sebastian Despotovski has already caught the eye of veteran teammate Lachie Wales, who lauded the young gun’s temperament.

thewest.com.au

Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 11d

While Bumble Lloyd's mischievous 5-0 tip was taken with a grain of salt by a host of Australian cricket greats, Kim Hughes does have serious concerns over England's pace cartel's lack of Test experience down under.

Friendly fire back at Lloyd over “laughable” 5-0 tip

A trio of Australian cricket greats have poured cold water on English commentator David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd’s wry predictions of a whitewash as the lead-up to the Ashes ignites.

thewest.com.au

Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 16d

I know they squandered the chance to win it and then immediately threw the game away with some calamitious defending up the other end, but I actually came away more impressed with Newcastle
#F3Derby

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Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 16d

🔓Perth Glory had less than 30 per cent of the ball against Wellington. One of my biggest questions going into the season was how their two-man midfield would cope. Against the Phoenix, who overloaded in the middle of the park, it struggled.

Glory blame pressure drop after copping midfield domination

Perth Glory coach David Zdrilic says diminishing on-ball pressure led to a lopsided possession count which ultimately proved costly in their 2-2 draw with Wellington Phoenix at HBF Park.

thewest.com.au

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Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 17d

Positives: Perth's new look front three looked electric. Negatives: Most of the game after Glory went 2-0 up. Last time they won an opening game was 2020.

Glory’s opening day hoodoo continues after lead vanishes

Perth Glory’s five-year opening game winless run has continued after they threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Wellington Phoenix in their A-League Men’s opener at HBF Park.

thewest.com.au

Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 17d

I'm halfway through but would posit Bill asking how Will Hardy explains his job and Zach's exasperated 'not everything can be an island' were also brilliant

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Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 18d

Scott Wootton couldn't believe it when he was told Perth Glory were chasing Tom Lawrence; Adam Taggart felt like celebrating when the deal was done.

The Welshman won't play Saturday night, but he's made a strong early impression on his new teammates.

‘Felt like celebrating’: Wing wizard’s arrival well received

He may not be ready to take the field quite yet, but the excitement is palpable in Perth Glory co-captains Adam Taggart and Scott Wootton’s voices when they talk about new star signing Tom Lawrence.

thewest.com.au

Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 20d

How Scott Wootton slid into Adam Taggart's DMs and now the pair will share the captaincy for the upcoming Perth Glory season.

Glory double up on captains as Wootton joins Taggart

When Scott Wootton was thinking about joining Perth Glory, he reached out to captain Adam Taggart on Instagram to get an idea of the lay of the land; now, the pair will enter the season as co-captains...

thewest.com.au

Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 22d

United Cup tournament director Stephen Farrow says conversations are ongoing with Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz for the 2026 event.

Iga Swiatek is confirmed to return for the cross-city tournament, and don't rule out Alex de Minaur.

United Cup hope for big three, de Minaur as Swiatek signs on

The United Cup’s tournament director says conversations are ongoing with men’s superstars Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz as the countdown to the 2026 event begins in earnest.

thewest.com.au

Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 23d

Entering his second season as Perth Glory coach, David Zdrilic might be the most under-pressure coach in Australian sport.

How does he deal with the pressure he has found himself under? And will it be a case of sophomore slump or comeback of the year?

‘Pressure is a privilege’: Zdrilic ready for season two

Perth Glory coach David Zdrilic might be the most under-pressure coach in Australian sport. As the A-League Men’s season approaches, will it be a sophomore slump or comeback of the century?

thewest.com.au

Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 25d

I definitely think it's a risk, and both the hard pitches and different support staff are excellent points.

But pedigree-wise, definitely better than Amos (who I think can also be really good)

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Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 25d

Played 60 games across the last two years, won't have to play many more than that in Perth

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Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 25d

On pedigree alone, is probably Glory's best player. And as he mentioned in my interview with him, he's played 60 games across the past two seasons and felt the injury concerns were overblown.

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Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 26d

I remember when he was at Blackburn going back a decade and he was fantastic. Should be a ripper signing for Glory.

Ben Smith @bensmith94.bsky.social · 26d

Perth Glory have beaten Melbourne Victory to the signature of Welsh international Tom Lawrence, with the former Manchester United, Derby County and Rangers attacking midfielder filling a huge area of need for Perth.

Glory sign ex-Red Devil, Ram and Rangers attacker Lawrence

Former Welsh international Tom Lawrence will add a new chapter to his story in WA, after Perth Glory beat Melbourne Victory to the signature of the one-time Manchester United attacking midfielder.

thewest.com.au

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