New signings
Milan Smiljanic (Maccabi Netanya), Joel Chianese (free agent), Rhys Williams (Middleborough), Joseph Mills (Oldham Athletic), Liam Reddy (Western Sydney), Brandon Wilson (Burnley), Nick Feely (free agent), Adam Taggart (Fulham)
Losses
Ruben Zadkovich, Gyorgy Sandor, Krisztian Vadocz, Diogo Ferrerira, Hagi Gligor, Ante Covic, Jerrad Tyson
Pre-season results
The FFA Cup was perhaps a disappointment with a 2-0 loss to Sydney FC in the round of 16 all the way back in August. Last month the Glory smashed a combined Inglewood/Athena side 8-0 during a friendly in Victoria. Rookie strikers Jamal Reiners and Kosta Petratos nailed home three goals and two goals respectively. Mitch Oxborrow, Diego Castro and Joe Knowles kicked the other three.
Additionally, Perth have played Brisbane twice this pre-season. The first was a 2-0 victory for the Glory in the FFA Cup (round of 32), with both goals coming from Dino Djulbic as the result of a set-piece. The second was a convinced 4-0 win for Brisbane as Lowe tried a few things and gave game time to Adam Taggart and Richard Garcia, but neither could get on the scoresheet.
Overview
After a rampaging finish to last season (12 wins from final 14 games), the Glory’s season was a bit of a fizzer, bowing out to Melbourne City in the first final.
We know that Perth’s internationals are quality: Diego Castro, Andy Keogh and Nebojsa Marinkovic are all excellent players and will again be crucial to Glory’s success. Some of their local acquisitions look very important as well, namely Rhys Williams and Liam Reddy, given that Perth had some defensive issues last season.
Expectations will be high for Kenny Lowe and his side and Perth have good winnable home games to start the season.
Early fixtures
Mariners (home), Phoenix (home), City (away), Roar (away)
Predicted Round 1 side
Reddy
Risdon, R.Williams, Djulbic, Mills
Griffiths, Smiljanic, Marinkovic
Taggart, Keogh, Castro.
Fantasy Buy
English recruit Joseph Mills (DEF, $150k) looks a lock to start at full back and comes at a very tempting price.
Diego Castro (MID, $320k) won the Johnny Warren Medal last season and nearly averaged ten points per match last season, an outstanding return. Yes, he’s expensive, but given he’s available in midfield and his scoring history (13 goals last season), he still seems like a pretty safe selection.
Fantasy Don’t
He’s had a rotten run with injury, and I predict he’ll be a great signing for the Glory, but I wouldn’t suggest picking Rhys Williams (DEF, $190k) for your fantasy side. Unlike other defenders, he doesn’t offer too much attacking-wise and isn’t exactly a ‘cheapie’.
LEAGUE: Don’t forget to join the SuperCoachHQ.com league on aleaguefantasy.foxsports.com.au – the league code is 117-325.
Hey Josh,
I decided to make my first ever Fantasy A League team for the upcoming season seeing at its pretty similar to EPL.
GK: Redmayne, Feely
DEF: Neville, Hingert, Garuccio, Bowles, Jackson
MID: Castro (VC), Troisi, Isaias, Pain, Brillante
FWD: Fornaroli, Maclaren, Rojas
What do ya reckon?
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Hey Pinidu! Yeah, the scoring system is similar to EPL (depending on which game you’re playing).
I like this team and particularly stacking the forward line is a good option. Not too sure about Redmayne in goals given his history, I’d be cautious. Also, Neville at 180k is a lot to spend on a defender, so if you need some wiggle room, that’s where I’d be looking.
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Cheers Josh, do you rate this team better?
GK: Thomas, Feely
DEF: Zullo, Hingert, Garuccio, Mills, Jackson
MID: Castro (C), Troisi, Kusukami, Pain, Kitto
FWD: Fornaroli (VC), Maclaren, Rojas
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Ah yes, it looks better. A little concerned that Kusukami is your third midfielder, but just because it’s hard to pick how well he’ll score.
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Thoughts on Smiljanic?
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I won’t be starting with him but at his price you can afford to have a wait and see. Has never been a prolific scorer so would have to rely on assists for his fantasy points
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Great articles! What are your thoughts on my team?:
Izzo (Necevski)
Mills, Clisby Jurman (Bowles, Jackson)
Castro, Finkler, Nichols, Troisi (Kitto)
Berisha, Maclaren, Powell.
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Thanks George! Very risky going with the CCM duo, because I’m expecting them to concede a lot of goals. But the money saved looks like it’s been well spent elsewhere. I like your midfield on the whole, and it’s probably only Powell that looks like a weak link, if he’s starting for you.
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