Perth have certainly had a roller coast ride in the A League so far. From the heights of beating Newcastle 5-1 in Newcastle to losing 4-0 to the Central Coast Mariners via the absurdity which was Damian Mori’s forced substitution in last week’s win against Melbourne.

Highly fancied at the start of the season, the Glory have had an inconsistent ride so far with some great results followed by some very mediocre performances.

Jason Petkovic has started every game in goal and has been quietly consistent, although he may look back at the Mariners game with a little worry. Petkovic had a five year spell with the Glory in the NSL and also played for Konyaspor in Turkey.

Another ever present is Jamie Harnwell at centre back. Harnwell has been with the Glory since 1998 apart from a brief spell with Leyton Orient. Harnwell is an old fashioned centre back and is excellent in the air. He is a danger from set pieces and has two goals to his name this season. He is also the team captain. The Glory have a stable back line with Ante Kovacevic also an ever present. He played for South Melbourne, Melbourne Knights and Adelaide United in the NSL. At left back Scott Miller has also played every game this season and is yet another Glory veteran having joined in 1996.

The only changes that Steve McMahon has made to his back line with Jamie Coyne playing 8 games. Coyne joined the Glory in 2002 but played in the Netherlands with Den Haag during the gap between the A League and the NSL. Matt Horsley broke the Perth back four’s good spell with one appearance against Melbourne Victory. Horsley is an experience campaigner with 9 years at Woolongong Wolves before moving to the Glory in 2001.

The jewel in the Glory crown is undoubtedly Simon Colossimo. Colossimo is a gifted midfielder and can be a dangerous opponent when on form. A career taking in several countries including England with Manchester City, Belgium with Royal Antwerp, Malaysia with Pahang and several Australian clubs, Colossimo has also won __ caps for Australia.

Likely to partner Colossimo in midfield is Stephen McMahon, son of manager Steve. McMahon junior has suffered nepotism claims throughout his career as he has played under his father at Blackpool as well yet he is a talented midfielder with a very good touch although he lacks the bite of his father at his prime. Billy Celeski completes the centre midfield. A young player who has just turned 20, Celeski has represented Australia at U21 level.

Adrian Caceres will line up at left midfield. Originally born in Argentina, Caceres grew up in Perth and had a spell with the Glory in the last few years of the NSL. He has also had spells with Southampton, Bradford, Hull, Yeovil and Wycombe in England.

Perth have plenty of attacking midfield options. Nick Ward has played in every game this season although has started only once. He is a current U20 international. Hirouki Ishada will play wide right and definitely fits the mould of an out and out winger. He played in the old NSL with Sydney Olympic.

Up front Bobby Despotovski has played for the Glory since 1996 and has enjoyed an excellent start to the season with 5 goals so far including both the last time they met Queensland in Round 3. Unfortunately the second striker position is less settled. Brian Deane, their big money signing from England has played six games but has been beset by injury and had to go off at half time last weekend despite grabbing his first goal of the campaign due to a hamstring injury. He appears unlikely to feature this weekend.

Damian Mori is on a temporary contract similar to Spase Dilveski was at the Roar but has played well with two goals to his name. He was involved in one of the bizarre moments you’ll see on football pitch when he had to be substituted after only two minutes of the game against Melbourne because he couldn’t get his wedding ring off.

Season To Date

Leading Scorer: Despotovski 5

Average Attendance: 10,629

TUQRS prediction: 1-0 win to the Roar