Perth Glory return to the nib Stadium on Saturday evening, with Melbourne Victory making the trip to the west in week 23 of the Hyundai A-League KO 6:45pm.
Perth Glory return to the nib Stadium on Saturday evening, with Melbourne Victory making the trip to the west in week 23 of the Hyundai A-League KO 6:45pm.
A hard fought 1-1 draw last week against Wellington Phoenix saw the Glory snap a four game losing streak, with marquee defender William Gallas scoring his first goal since joining the club, and they will be looking to go one better on Saturday in front of their loyal supporters.
Young Olyroos keeper Jack Duncan, who impressed on his A-League debut last week, making crucial saves to keep his side in the game, will make his first start in front of The Shed on Saturday, whilst young full back Matthew Davies, looks likely to retain his spot after an outstanding performance on his return to the starting lineup against the Phoenix.
Kenny Lowe will also look for William Gallas and Michael Thwaite, who have both shaken off injury scares during the week, to make up the heart of the Glory defence with Jack Clisby likely to continue in the left back position.
Shane Smeltz (groin) will miss the game, so the striker role will go to either Darvydas Sernas or Jamie Maclaren, as they go in search of the three points to keep in touch with the top six.
The Victory beat Central Coast Mariners 3-1 last week, and played out a 2-2 draw with Korean club Jeonbuk Motors, in the Asian Champions League on Wednesday. Nick Ansell returns from suspension for the trip, while Pablo Contreras and Archie Thompson were left out of the ACL game in the week and should return.
Former Central Coast Mariners team mates Rostyn Griffiths and Tom Rogic will go toe-to-toe in the middle of the park while the battle between Jacob Burns and Mark Milligan will be worth the admission price on its own.
Burns is out of contract at the end of the season, but the former Leeds United and Socceroos midfielder has announced that he has put any discussions on hold as he looks to help the club move up the table. “I love this club. I-m not entertaining any talks at the moment,” Burns said.
“I think first and foremost my concentration is on getting results, turning in good performances, leading the boys and getting us as far up the table as we can in these next five games.
“That kind of stuff all takes care of itself, but I can tell you one thing, I won-t be playing anywhere else.
“We-ll see when that comes but I-m not thinking about that or dealing with any of the stuff at the minute.”
The Victory do not have the greatest of records in Perth, with the visitors only winning 3 out of 13 games between the two sides in the West Australian capital. The last time Kevin Muscat-s men were in town was in round 17 at the nib Stadium. The Melbourne side were coming off back-to-back 5-0 defeats, but fought out a 1-1 draw to end that run.
Gui Finkler gave the visitors the lead from the spot before Lithuanian striker Darvydas Sernas scored one of the goals of the season to salvage a 1-1 draw. Since that game the Victory has only lost once, whilst the Glory have found points hard to come by with 4 of their last 5 fixtures being on the road.
Perth Glory Squad: 2.Jack CLISBY, 3. Brandon O’NEILL, 4. Ryan EDWARDS 5. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 7. Jacob BURNS, 8. Nebojsa MARINKOVIC,10. Jamie MACLAREN, 14.Steven McGARRY, 16.Sidnei SCIOLA MORAES, 17. Chris HAROLD, 18. Jack DUNCAN(GK), 19. Josh RISDON, 20. Daniel DE SILVA, 24. Matthew DAVIES, 23. Michael THWAITE, 28. Darvydas SERNAS, 36. William GALLAS, 39. Luke RADONICH (GK)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 4. Ryan EDWARDS, 25. Riley WOODCOCK
Outs: 9. Shane SMELTZ (injury)
Unavailable: Travis DODD (knee – indefinite), Scott JAMIESON (Achilles – indefinite), Shane SMELTZ (groin- 2 weeks)
