Perth Glory’s struggles continued during the 2024-2025 A-League season as they succumbed to another defeat, this time at the hands of Macarthur FC, who were buoyed by their recent form. The match, played at HBF Park on December 27, 2024, ended with Glory losing 3-0, marking their seventh loss out of ten matches this season.
The game began with some promise for Perth, as they appeared lively, led by skipper Adam Taggart and the returning David Williams. Early shots signaled their intentions, but the evening quickly turned sour. Williams, who had just earned back-to-back starts after lifting the team with his previous performance, was forced off the field with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. His exit, occurring just 13 minutes after kick-off, caused concern not only within the team but also among fans, who applauded the fan favorite as he was stretchered off.
Despite this setback, Perth started positively. They controlled much of the opening exchanges and even managed to force Macarthur's goalkeeper Filip Kurto to make some noteworthy saves. Adam Taggart got close to scoring, but it was not long before the tide turned. Jed Drew, the forward for Macarthur, struck first, swiftly capitalizing on Perth’s defensive misjudgments.
Drew opened the scoring in the 27th minute, running onto a long pass from Marin Jakolis after the home side had called for offside. With the linesman’s flag remaining down, Drew rounded goalkeeper Cameron Cook to slot it home, putting Macarthur on the scoreboard against the run of play. Six minutes later, he doubled the visitors' lead, benefitting from yet another lapse in Perth's defense, tapping the ball past Cook to make it 2-0.
With the home side clearly rattled, the second half saw Perth trying to regroup, but they struggled to maintain pressure on Macarthur. Coach David Zdrilic's team increasingly looked disorganized, allowing Macarthur to dominate. For the finishing touch, Ariath Piol sealed the game with another goal for Macarthur, converting from inside the box after being set up by Jakolis.
This result marks the continuation of Perth Glory's abysmal home record this season, now losing all five of their home games by staggering margins, with 17 goals conceded. Stretching back to the previous season, it has been over 11 games since Glory last earned victory on home soil, with their last win being on February 17 against Brisbane Roar. Coming off what they had once considered momentum after securing their first win of the season last week, Friday's game felt like another painful reminder of their vulnerabilities.
Following the match, Macarthur's coach, Mile Sterjovski, expressed satisfaction with his team's performance. "I felt we were in control for most of the game," he remarked. His players exemplified clinical finishing and tactical discipline, something Perth has struggled with. Sterjovski also noted the potential of Jed Drew, saying, "Every time (Piol)comes on he's dangerous," highlighting the growing reliability of his bench players.
Jed Drew himself acknowledged his eagerness to add goals to his contributions this season. "The last year I’ve wanted to add more goals to my game... tonight was a good start and I want to keep building fromthat," he said, showcasing his determination.
With this latest setback, Perth Glory’s position remains dire. Should Brisbane Roar secure victory against Western United later, Glory could find themselves at the bottom of the league table, building pressure on Zdrilic and the players as they seek to turn their season around before it slips away completely.
The club, which has had more than its share of adversity this season, is now staring down the barrel of what could become one of the worst-starting campaigns in A-League history. Perth’s inability to convert impressive beginnings and their knack for conceding quick goals have consistently led to unfavorable results, drawing some concern from fans who are hoping for changes or reinforcements as the season progresses.
With New Year’s Day fast approaching, expectations for improvement remain high among supporters. The team will look to regroup and build on whatever positives they can find from recent matches as they prepare for the challenges and fierce competition against rivals.
