Glory ALW Head Coach Stephen Peters believes is side are relishing the prospect of testing themselves against reigning Premiers Melbourne City in Saturday’s Round 14 clash at Sam Kerr Football Centre (kick-off at 5pm, tickets available HERE).
Click HERE to view his pre-match media conference in full.
The women in purple went toe-to-toe with the current ladder leaders at AAMI Park less than a month ago, eventually succumbing to an unfortunate 3-1 defeat.
And Peters feels that his charges showed enough in that game to suggest that they are capable of claiming their revenge by chalking up a fifth successive home win this weekend.
“They [Melbourne City] have a very good side, they believe in what they do… and we’ve got to be ready for what they bring,” he said.
“You’ve got to be switched on the whole time.
“In that game [at AAMI Park], we made errors at crucial times that hurt us, but our general approach play was really good.
“We’re really proud of that and hopefully we can replicate that type of effort against them and get the points.
“We’re still the only team in the competition this year to take the possession stats away from them, so we’ll hang our hat on that one and see if we can do the same on Saturday.
“These guys are the benchmark of the competition in terms of their output and the quality they possess and it’s a really, really good challenge for us.
“It’ll be a real test of where we’re at and we’re looking forward to it.”
Glory head into the game having secured an impressive 1-1 away draw with reigning Champions Central Coast Mariners last weekend and the Head Coach was generally satisfied with that performance in Gosford.
“It was a good game for the neutral,” he said.
“Both teams had chances, they had some very good chances in the first half and we had some good chances after it went to 1-1.
“It would have been nice to have iced one of those and put the pressure back on them.
“Their goal, I thought, was a little bit fortuitous, but there were a couple of errors from us in the lead-up, so I think overall it was a good point earned against a very good side.”
Peters’ side took a very clear front-foot approach against the Mariners and Peters is backing them to do likewise when they face City in what he views as another potentially pivotal fixture.
“Every game is becoming a Finals game because that’s how close the competition is,” he said
“I think it’s five points between first place and ninth which is pretty crazy, so every game is so crucial.
“We’re at our best when we’re able to get into the face of the opposition, be on the front foot and have that nuisance value.
“The games that we’ve won… our effort and intensity defensively has been super and we’ll be looking to replicate that and as our game grows, I think we get a lot better with the ball.
“I think in the last couple of weeks, you can see that that’s been growing and I feel we’re a team that people need to take note of.”
Following Saturday’s game, Glory are at home again on Wednesday evening when Sydney FC will provide the opposition and Peters confirmed that the proximity of the two fixtures may influence his team selection.
“We’ve got to look at a little bit of a load management situation with the two games so close together and then a trip to New Zealand,” he said.
“So it’s a unique one for us and we’ll most likely delve into the squad for these next two games.”
City have made a strong start to their Premiership title defence, winning six of their opening nine games and scoring 17 goals in the process.
Holly McNamara has been their standout performer, with the 22-year-old striker bagging a hat-trick against Glory in Round 8 and adding a further six goals to propel herself to joint-top spot in the Golden Boot standings.
Leah Davidson has also been a key attacker for Michael Matricciani’s side, contributing three assists, while Shelby McMahon has score three times and former Glory winger Aideen Keane has found the net twice.
Experienced New Zealand international Rebekah Stott remains a cornerstone of City’s defence and Spanish goalkeeper Malena Mieres has made 24 saves in keeping three clean sheets.
Saturday will mark the 19th overall meeting between the two sides, with Glory searching for a sixth win and their first at home since March 2023.
Match Details
Ninja A-League 2025/26 Season Round 14
Perth Glory v Melbourne City
Sam Kerr Football Centre
Saturday 24 January 2026
Kick-off: 5pm
Perth Glory Squad: 1.Teresa MORRISSEY (gk), 2.Mischa ANDERSON, 3.Emma TOVAR, 4.Daisy MCALLISTER, 5.Grace JOHNSTON, 6.Tijan MCKENNA, 8.Georgia CASSIDY, 9.Gabby HOLLAR, 10.Susan PHONSONGKHAM, 12.Bronte TREW, 17.Rola BADAWIYA, 19.Sarah O’DONOGHUE, 23.Isobel DALTON (c), 24.Julia SARDO, 25.Ella LINCOLN, 27.Charli WAINWRIGHT, 28.Clancy WESTAWAY, 29.Onyinyechi ZOGG, 30.Jessica SKINNER (gk)
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 8.Georgia CASSIDY, 9.Gabby HOLLAR
Outs: None
Unavailable: 7.Megan WYNNE (injured), 11.Natalie TATHEM (injured), 13.Naomi CHINNAMA (injured), 20.Ella ABDUL MASSIH (injured)
Melbourne City squad: 2. Ellie WILSON, 3. Danielle TURNER, 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia MCKENNA, 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 9. Holly MCNAMARA, 10. Izabella RAKO, 11. Deven JACKSON, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 15. Chinaza UCHENDU, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 17. Kaya JUGOVIC, 19. Keira SARRIS, 21. Aideen KEANE, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 24. Malena MIERES (GK)
(One to be omitted)
Unavailable: 7. Danella BUTRUS (concussion), 14. Laura HUGHES (knee), 18. Leah DAVIDSON (knee), 20. Caitlin KARIC (knee).
#ONEGlory
ALW Match Preview: Peters and co excited by challenge of taking on “benchmark club” City
