ALW Match Wrap: Glory end season with narrow home defeat

Glory’s 2025/26 Ninja A-League campaign came to an end with a frustrating 1-0 home defeat against Melbourne Victory on Good Friday afternoon.

Click HERE for full match highlights.

Click HERE for Stephen Peters’ post-match media conference.

The home side dominated throughout in terms of possession and territory, but were unable to find a clinical edge in the final third and Claudia Bunge’s 22nd-minute header ultimately proved enough to seal all three points for the visitors.

The result means Glory will finish eighth provided Newcastle Jets fail to beat Premiership winners Melbourne City on Sunday, while Victory may yet make the Finals if Central Coast Mariners lose to Sydney FC on Saturday.

Clearly determined to sign off in style in front of another enthusiastic home crowd, Glory began brightly and thought they had taken the lead 12 minutes in when Gabby Hollar bundled the ball home from close range.

The American’s effort, however, was finally disallowed after a lengthy delay, despite there appearing to be a Victory defender on the byline playing Hollar onside.

Glory were left feeling more than a little hard done by and their dismay was compounded ten minutes later when the visitors hit the front with what would be their only chance of the first half.

Former Glory forward Alana Jancevski provided the pinpoint delivery from a corner and Bunge climbed highest to plant a header past Teresa Morrissey in the home goal.

The lively Ella Abdul Massih then saw a deflected shot squirm its way just the wrong side of the post as Stephen Peters’ side looked to hit back immediately and the last action of the opening period was a strike on the turn from Hollar which also flew narrowly wide.

The pattern of the game was largely unchanged after the break, with Victory content to defend deep and challenge the hosts to break them down.

It looked as if their resolute rearguard might finally be breached just after the hour-mark as a fine long ball from Julia Sardo sent Bronte Trew in on goal, but Courtney Newbon was equal to the substitute’s shot.

Trew tried her luck from range moments later and at that stage, Glory looked poised to launch a late assault on the Victory goal.

But instead Morrissey was forced to make a great save with her legs at the other end to foil Sofia Sakalis and with Bunge and Kayla Morrison providing a formidable barrier at the back, they women in purple were unable to find the goal their performance warranted.

Match Details

Ninja A-League 2025/26 Season Round 22

Perth Glory 0 Melbourne Victory 1 (Bunge 22′)

Half-time: 0-0

Sam Kerr Football Centre

Friday 3 April 2026

Referee: Caitlin Williams

Attendance: 952

Perth Glory Squad: 1.Teresa MORRISSEY (gk), 3.Emma TOVAR, 5.Grace JOHNSTON, 6.Tijan MCKENNA, 8.Georgia CASSIDY, 9.Gabby HOLLAR (16.Olivia WOOD 75′), 17.Rola BADAWIYA (25.Ella LINCOLN 63′), 20.Ella ABDUL MASSIH (12.Bronte TREW 63′), 24.Julia SARDO, 28.Clancy WESTAWAY (27.Charli WAINWRIGHT 75′), 29.Onyinyechi ZOGG (2.Mischa ANDERSON 78′)

Substitutes not used: 52.Dayle SCHROEDER (gk)

Yellow Cards: Morrissey

Red Cards: None

Melbourne Victory: 1. Courtney NEWBON, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 6. Taylor RAY, 7. Ella O’GRADY (5. Sofia SAKALIS 68′),  9. Holly FURPHY (81. Grace MAHER 90+2′), 10. Rhianna POLLICINA (11. Nicki FLANNERY 81′), 16. Kennedy WHITE, 18. Kayla MORRISON,  23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI (4. Chelsea BLISSETT 82′)

Substitutes not used: 28. Sienna TECHERA, 30. Payton WOODWARD (gk)

Yellow Cards: White, Jancevski

Red Cards: None

#ONEGlory