Speaking at his first Glory media conference on Friday, recent recruit Brad Jones was quick to highlight the togetherness of his new playing group.
The vastly-experienced goalkeeper has been eased back into training this week having emerged from a fortnight in quarantine following his arrival from Saudi Arabia where he spent the past two seasons with Al-Nassr.
And it hasn’t taken him long to pick up on the positivity within the Glory squad.
“From what I’ve seen, we have a good group of young players especially,” he said.
“There’s a good balance with some of the more experienced boys there.
“But the first thing I noticed was the camaraderie in the dressing room.
“For me coming in and taking all that in, it’s a close-knit group and I think that’s important going into the season.
“The boys obviously had a tough time last year with the travel and maybe that’s helped them, being around each other a lot.
“There’s definitely a good vibe and I’m looking forward to getting out there and training with them.”
The former Liverpool, Middlesbrough and Feyenoord man is also relishing the prospect of finally representing his hometown club some 20 years since he left WA to pursue his career in Europe.
“Something I always wanted to do was play for Perth,” he said.
“It’s a funny thing that people might not believe after the time I’ve had away and where I’ve been, but as a kid growing up, this was the first step that you looked to take.
“I used to come and watch the games from the inaugural season and it was something that when the opportunity came [to sign for Glory], I was interested in taking it.”
And Jones went on to confirm that the opportunity to work under Head Coach Richard Garcia was another major factor behind his decision to return to Perth.
“I know Richie as well from a long time ago and from being in the national team,” he said, “so that was good as he’s someone I’m familiar with and that I knew I’d be happy working with.
“We’ve known each other since we were 14.
“He went over to the UK six months before me and we shared a lot in common.
“We’ve never been together as such, we were always at opposite ends of the country [in the UK], but I know him well from the national team.
“I know how he works and what his ideas will be and he’s somebody I can see myself working well with.
“For me, that’s important.
“I wasn’t interested in going just anywhere and working with anyone; it had to be the right move for me and this appealed to me.
“Working with these people and this group was a massive pull.”
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