Defender Josh Risdon is desperate to mark a major personal milestone with a win when Glory take on Central Coast Mariners in Sunday’s ALM Round 24 clash at Industree Group Stadium (kick-off at 12pm WST, watch live on Paramount+).
Click HERE to view his pre-match media conference
Subject to selection, the 32-year-old will set a new club record for ALM appearances by donning the famous purple for the 157th time.
And the Bunbury local, who has enjoyed a 15-year professional career since debuting for Glory back in November 2010, is now determined to appreciate every moment.
“It’s a huge honour,” he said.
“It’s a club that’s very special to me.
“It’s my hometown club and it’s a moment that will be extra special
“I didn’t even know I was that close.
“It’s nice getting to the back-end of your career, you start to achieve these milestones, whether it’s 200 or 250 games and breaking records, they’re nice little feathers to put in the bow.
“When I first started my career at Perth, I was young and naive and now I’m [almost] 33-years-old with a couple of kids, it goes pretty quick.
“I’m savouring every game I can play for the club and for the rest of my career.
“It’s going to be a tough game [on Sunday], even though they haven’t won in a while.
“We’re looking to bounce back from that result against Brisbane Roar.
“We know where we’re sitting on the table now and not finishing last is a big motivation for us over these last five games.
“The positive is that the two games we had against them this season were very good and we probably should have won one of them.
“For us, it’s about sticking to what we’ve been doing well and finishing off our end product.”
Glory Head Coach David Zdrilic, meanwhile, was quick to pay tribute to the man who also starred for the Socceroos at the 2018 World Cup.
Click HERE to view his full pre-match media conference
“To have that kind of record for anyone is amazing,” he said.
“I know how hard it is to be a professional footballer, so to rack up those stats and have a milestone like that is a big achievement.
“He’s a credit to not just our club, but to the game as well.
“He’s been in the A-League for a long, long time and he’s right up there for assists as well because even though he’s a defensive player, he creates a lot of chances.
“Josh is a great advocate for the game and he’s also been very good for us.
“During a tough period, he’s stood up and been a leader and helped us through those tough times.
“I’m pumped for him.”
Zdrilic went on to outline what he is expecting from Sunday’s trip to Gosford.
“We’re both really desperate for a win,” he said.
“We’ve seen that in their last few games and obviously in our games as well.
“Performances have been much better, but we need the wins.
“Nothing changes, we’ve got five games left and I’m expecting the same battle that we’ve had in the last two games against them.”
In terms of early team news, Zdrilic confirmed that skipper Adam Taggart is likely to feature despite being forced to withdraw from the Socceroos squad ahead of their game against China earlier this week by a groin niggle.
Attacking midfielder Lachie Wales (Achilles) and Zach Lisolajski (ankle), however, both miss out through injury.
As for the Mariners, their title defence has proved difficult thus far and they are currently without a win since mid-January.
Goals have been an issue for Mark Jackson’s men, with Alou Kuol (3) currently their top scorer.
Brazilian midfielder Mikael Doka, however, has continued to impress, combative defender Brian Kaltack remains a cornerstone of their defence and 18-year-old goalkeeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen has caught the eye in his maiden A-League campaign.
Sunday will mark the 57th ALM meeting between the two sides, with the Mariners having won 24 to Glory’s 19.
Of Glory’s seven wins in Gosford, the most recent came in October 2022 as goals from Giordano Colli and Aaron McEneff cancelled out Samuel Silvera’s opener for the hosts.
Match Details
Isuzu UTE A-League 2024-25 Season Round 24
Central Coast Mariners v Perth Glory
Industree Group Stadium
Sunday 30 March 2025
Kick-off: 12pm WST
Central Coast Mariners squad: 3. Brian KALTAK, 4. Trent SAINSBURY, 7. Christian THEOHAROUS, 8. Alfie McCALMONT, 9. Alou KUOL, 10. Mikael DOKA, 11. Vitor FEIJAO, 12. Lucas MAURAGIS, 15. Storm ROUX, 16. Harry STEELE, 21. Abdul FAISAL, 23. Miguel DI PIZIO, 24. Diesel HERRINGTON, 29. Nico DUARTE, 30. Jack WARSHAWSKY, 33. Nathan PAULL, 35. Arthur DE LIMA, 37. Bailey BRANDTMAN, 40. Dylan PERAIC-CULLEN, 44. Lucas SCICLUNA
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 35. Arthur DE LIMA, 37. Bailey BRANDTMAN, 44. Lucas SCICLUNA
Outs: 36. Haine EAMES
Perth Glory squad: 1.Oli SAIL (gk), 3.Anas HAMZAOUI, 4.Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS, 7.Nicholas PENNINGTON, 10.Nikola MILEUSNIC, 12.Taras GOMULKA, 13.Cameron COOK (gk), 14.Nathanael BLAIR, 16.Adam BUGARIJA, 17.Yuto MISAO, 19.Josh RISDON, 20.Trent OSTLER, 21.Luke AMOS, 22.Adam TAGGART, 23.Patrick WOOD, 25.Jaylan PEARMAN, 26.Khoa NGO, 29.Tomi MRCELA, 31.Joel ANASMO, 36.Takuya OKAMOTO
(Two to be omitted)
Ins: 3.Anas HAMZAOUI, 16.Adam BUGARIJA, 19.Josh RISDON, 26.Khoa NGO
Outs: 15.Zach LISOLAJSKI, 18.Lachie WALES
Unavailable: 9.David WILLIAMS (injured), 15.Zach LISOLAJSKI (injured), 18.Lachie WALES (injured), 24.Andriano LEBIB (injured)
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