Glory ALW Head Coach Stephen Peters believes the key to getting the better of Wellington Phoenix in Friday’s Round 7 clash at the Sam Kerr Football Centre could be in his players’ heads (kick-off at 7pm, tickets available HERE).
Click HERE to watch his pre-match media conference in full
The women in purple, who are set to play at their regular home venue for the first time this season, will be looking to snap a run of four consecutive defeats, three of which came on the road.
And Peters feels that if they remain fully focused, his charges are well capable of securing Distance Derby honours.
“It was very nice to come back home and rest a few bodies up,” he said.
“Three away games in a row took their toll physically and mentally.
“I think last week was a good opportunity for us to perform a bit of a reset, look at what we’ve done well and what we haven’t done well and get back to the drawing board with a few things.
“I think it’s a mentality and a discipline thing.
“I don’t think it’s a technique or a tactical thing and I think physically we’re good.
“It’s all mentality.
“There are positives out of the four performances, but we need to be more consistent and make sure that our mindset is right on the money.
“We can’t afford to have any lapses in concentration.”
Like Glory, Wellington come into the game having secured just the one win this term, but Peters has nonetheless been impressed by what he’s seen from the ‘Nix since former Canada national team Head Coach Bev Priestman took charge.
“Wellington are a very good team with a very good coach, you can clearly see that,” he said.
“They’re quite a physical team and they came to Perth on Monday.
“I think it’s a great thing for their club to be putting them in that position to acclimatise and they’re going to be a very difficult opponent.
“I think she [Priestman] has been a bit of a trailblazer and I’m pretty excited to come up against her and to meet her.
“I think she’s doing a great job with the team and hopefully we’re up to the task.”
In terms of early team news, meanwhile, the Head Coach was reluctant to show his full hand with the likes of midfield duo Izzy Dalton and Emma Tovar being given as much time as possible to prove their fitness.
“We’ve got a few that are in the window to be selected,” he said, “but I don’t really want to talk about who they are or where they are until we name the team sheet.
“The nature of them is that it’s going to go right up to the wire.”
Peters concluded by reaffirming how much of a role the Glory Members and fans can play in lifting his side.
“They’re our 12th man, they really get behind us,” he said.
“It’s a funny old place [Sam Kerr Football Centre] which just seems to produce a bit of magic, so hopefully there’ll be a bit of that for us on Friday.”
It has been something of a binary season for Wellington so far, with neither side scoring more than one goal in any of their four games.
After opening with consecutive 1-1 home draws against Canberra and Newcastle, Priestman’s side downed Melbourne Victory 1-0 and then lost by the same scoreline to Melbourne City last time out.
Homegrown duo Marisa van der Meer and Mackenzie Barry have been key figures in the Phoenix defence which has looked very solid thus far, while former Glory striker Grace Jale is still searching for her first goal of the campaign.
Other players to keep an eye on include livewire forward Emma Main and versatile English import, Brooke Nunn.
Friday will mark the ninth overall meeting between the two clubs, with Glory having secured five wins to Wellington’s three.
Match Details
Ninja A-League 2025/26 Season Round 7
Perth Glory v Wellington Phoenix
Sam Kerr Football Centre
Friday 12 December 2025
Kick-off: 7pm
#ONEGlory
ALW Match Preview: Peters calls for stronger mentality ahead of Distance Derby
