ALM Match Preview: Glory preparing for tough test against resurgent Bulls

Head Coach Adam Griffiths is expecting a tougher test for his side at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Friday as Glory visit Macarthur FC for the second time this season (kick-off at 4:35pm WST, watch live and FREE on 10.com.au).

Click HERE to view his full pre-match media conference.

The men in purple secured their first away victory of the campaign when they downed the Bulls 2-0 back in Round 6, with Nicholas Pennington and Charbel Shamoon both finding the net in the second half.

But Mile Sterjovski’s side have lost just one of their ten games since then, while also bolstering their squad and Griffiths is fully aware of the challenge that they will provide.

“Macarthur’s a very strong team,” he said.

“They’ve recruited more players since then [Round 6], with Mitch Duke coming in and they’ve got another couple of players that have really stepped up as well.

“They’re a dangerous team and a stronger team than they were in that last game, so it’s going to be a really big test for us to see how we can develop on that previous game and get the three points.”

Glory will head east buoyed by a memorable comeback win over reigning Premiers Auckland FC at HBF Park last weekend, but the Head Coach urged his players to erase that triumph from their grey matter and focus solely upon the task ahead.

“The mood in the group has been very positive,” he said, “but we’ve been trying to re-set the players’ minds and make sure there’s no complacency.

“We’ve talked about consistency and that’s what we’re aiming for.

“The playing group knows how important every game is from here on in.

“Every single game is a winnable game, the group knows that and we’re going to be pushing that message and be ready for this week.

“Three points are up for grabs and we’re looking for that.”

In terms of early team news, meanwhile, Griffiths will be without the services of midfielder Rhys Bozinovski following the midfielder’s midweek move to Dutch side Heracles Almelo, but he revealed that several other players could potentially return to the matchday squad.

“[Callum] Timmins has been training regularly, so he’ll be up for selection,” he said.

“[Lachie] Wales is another one who’s trained well this week and is starting to look like a player we could use.

“The rest of the group is one week fitter, so that makes us one week stronger.”

As for the Bulls, the most eye-catching of their six wins this term came a fortnight ago when they dismantled reigning Champions Melbourne City 6-2 in Campbelltown.

Harry Sawyer is the leading scorer for Mile Sterjovski’s side having found the net on six occasions and they have a number of other quality attacking options to call upon, including experienced Socceroo Mitch Duke and former Glory man, Chris Ikonomidis

There is plenty of experience running through a squad which has the highest average age in the competition, notably midfield trio Luke Brattan, Liam Rose and Anthony Caceres and defensive duo Tomi Uskok and Damien Da Silva.

Glory’s win at Campbelltown Sports Stadium in November marked the club’s first against Macarthur away from home and overall, the WA side have recorded three victories to the Bulls’ six.

Match Details

Isuzu UTE A-League 2025/26 Season Round 16

Macarthur FC v Perth Glory

Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Friday 6 February 2026

Kick-off: 4.35pm WST

Macarthur Bulls squad: 1. Alex ROBINSON, 3. Damien DA SILVA, 5. Matthew JURMAN, 6. Tomislav USKOK, 7. Sime GRZAN, 8. Luke VICKERY, 9. Chris IKONOMIDIS, 10. Anthony CACERES, 12. Filip KURTO, 14. Kristian POPOVIC, 15. Mitchell DUKE, 17. Oliver RANDAZZO, 18. Walter SCOTT, 22. Liam ROSE, 24. Dean BOSNJAK, 25. Callum TALBOT, 26. Luke BRATTAN, 28. Harrison SAWYER, 29. Zane HELWEH, 32. Will McKay

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: N/A

Outs:  N/A

Unavailable: 11. Bernardo OLIVEIRA (injured), 19. Harry POLITIDIS (injured), 33. Dongwon JI (injured), 35. Henrique OLIVEIRA (injured)

Perth Glory Squad: 2.Charbel SHAMOON, 3.Sam SUTTON, 4.Scott WOOTTON, 7.Nicholas PENNINGTON, 8.Callum TIMMINS, 9.Jaiden KUCHARSKI, 11.Lachlan WALES, 15.Zach LISOLAJSKI, 17.Arion SULEMANI, 20.Trent OSTLER, 22.Adam TAGGART (c), 24.Andriano LEBIB, 25.Sebastian DESPOTOVSKI, 27.Will FRENEY, 29.Matt SUTTON (gk), 34.Tom LAWRENCE, 39.Giovanni DE ABREU, 40.Ryan WARNER (gk), 45.Brian KALTAK, 67.Stefan COLAKOVSKI

(Two to be omitted)

Ins: 8.Callum TIMMINS, 17.Arion SULEMANI, 24.Andriano LEBIB

Outs: 18.Rhys BOZINOVSKI (Transferred)

Unavailable: 6.Brandon O’NEILL (injured), 13.Cameron COOK (gk) (injured), 31.Joel ANASMO (injured)

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