Ben Smith
@bensmith94.bsky.social
All-rounder for The West Australian's sport team, but mainly football (⚽) & rugby. Devin Booker, Tugay & emo night enthusiast. Views are sadly, my own. News tips: ben.smith@wanews.com.au
Some result that for Glory in Newcastle - their 13th win in 30 games away to the Jets, and most importantly, their first victory of the 2025-26 season. Kaltak and Kucharski their best, and Taggart and Pennington had an impact off the bench.
Glory hallelujah! Perth finally snare opening win
It has taken five games, but Perth Glory have finally tasted their first victory of the season after coming from behind to beat Newcastle Jets 2-1 and move off the foot of the A-League Men ladder.
thewest.com.au
November 23, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Some result that for Glory in Newcastle - their 13th win in 30 games away to the Jets, and most importantly, their first victory of the 2025-26 season. Kaltak and Kucharski their best, and Taggart and Pennington had an impact off the bench.
Reposted by Ben Smith
OH NO! DISASTER! WHAT A BAD IDEA!
November 23, 2025 at 5:04 AM
OH NO! DISASTER! WHAT A BAD IDEA!
Glory's worst performance of the Dub season. McKellar Park a tough place to go at the best of times, but just an all-round poor performance. Midfield overrun in both halves despite changing it up.
Capital punishment as Canberra easily dispatch Glory
Perth Glory have lost their third A-League Women’s game on the spin as their McKellar Park blues continued in a 3-0 defeat to a previously-winless Canberra United.
thewest.com.au
November 22, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Glory's worst performance of the Dub season. McKellar Park a tough place to go at the best of times, but just an all-round poor performance. Midfield overrun in both halves despite changing it up.
Of the six goals Perth have conceded this dub season, four have come in the 10 minutes after half-time.
And when lightning forced players off-field for 75 minutes during their loss to Sydney, Glory conceded 13 minutes after that restart. A worrying trend?
And when lightning forced players off-field for 75 minutes during their loss to Sydney, Glory conceded 13 minutes after that restart. A worrying trend?
Glory hope hitting restart button fixes defensive issues
Of the six goals Perth Glory have conceded in the A-League Women this season, four of them have come in the 10 minutes after half-time and Stephen Peters knows they need a quick fix.
thewest.com.au
November 20, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Of the six goals Perth have conceded this dub season, four have come in the 10 minutes after half-time.
And when lightning forced players off-field for 75 minutes during their loss to Sydney, Glory conceded 13 minutes after that restart. A worrying trend?
And when lightning forced players off-field for 75 minutes during their loss to Sydney, Glory conceded 13 minutes after that restart. A worrying trend?
No de Minaur for the second United Cup running in Perth - but plenty to like elsewhere and on the balance WA probably got the slightly better draw. Fritz, Gauff, Osaka, Draper, Raducanu, Bencic, Paolini, Tsitsipas and Wawrinka all draws.
Perth miss out on Demon for United Cup
WA will miss out on Alex de Minaur for a second straight summer, with the star Aussie drawn to play in Sydney rather than Perth for the United Cup.
thewest.com.au
November 17, 2025 at 6:29 AM
No de Minaur for the second United Cup running in Perth - but plenty to like elsewhere and on the balance WA probably got the slightly better draw. Fritz, Gauff, Osaka, Draper, Raducanu, Bencic, Paolini, Tsitsipas and Wawrinka all draws.
If I had a nickel for every time a Glory dub game for delayed by lightning in Sydney, I'd have two nickels.
Which isn't a lot, but it's weird it happened twice - in back-to-back away games at that.
Which isn't a lot, but it's weird it happened twice - in back-to-back away games at that.
Sydney weather storm, Glory as Perth drought continues
Lightning struck twice in multiple ways as Perth Glory succumbed to a second A-League Women’s loss on the bounce in a storm-affected, 2-0 defeat to Sydney FC.
thewest.com.au
November 15, 2025 at 7:17 AM
If I had a nickel for every time a Glory dub game for delayed by lightning in Sydney, I'd have two nickels.
Which isn't a lot, but it's weird it happened twice - in back-to-back away games at that.
Which isn't a lot, but it's weird it happened twice - in back-to-back away games at that.
Former Valencia midfielder Emma Tovar has credited Philippines coach Mark Torcaso for encouraging her move to the A-League.
Good pick-up for Glory. Has arguably been their best player across two games.
Good pick-up for Glory. Has arguably been their best player across two games.
No pain for Tovar after swapping Spain for Perth
After swapping Spain for WA in the off-season, Perth Glory midfielder Emma Tovar has no regrets as she looks to nail down a spot in the Philippines’ national team ahead of the looming Women’s Asian Cu...
thewest.com.au
November 12, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Former Valencia midfielder Emma Tovar has credited Philippines coach Mark Torcaso for encouraging her move to the A-League.
Good pick-up for Glory. Has arguably been their best player across two games.
Good pick-up for Glory. Has arguably been their best player across two games.
After being involved in two Socceroos camps this year but not having made his international debut just yet, Jack Iredale is desperate to finally win a maiden cap for Australia.
Potential WA Socceroos debutant ‘couldn’t want it any more’
After coming close to a Socceroos debut twice this year, Perth-raised Jack Iredale says the near misses have only reinforced his desire to fulfill a dream of international football.
thewest.com.au
November 11, 2025 at 3:43 AM
After being involved in two Socceroos camps this year but not having made his international debut just yet, Jack Iredale is desperate to finally win a maiden cap for Australia.
Had a lovely chat to a certain Mark Schwarzer last week about Alessandro Circati and Tony Popovic, among other things.
Socceroos legend Schwarzer praises Australia’s next gen
With more than 100 Socceroos caps and over 500 EPL matches to his name, Mark Schwarzer knows class when he sees it - and he has high hopes for Australia’s next generation, including Perth’s Alessandro...
thewest.com.au
November 10, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Had a lovely chat to a certain Mark Schwarzer last week about Alessandro Circati and Tony Popovic, among other things.
Fun game in the Dub. Both teams will take plenty of heart - Glory probably unlucky to lose, but that 10-minute quickfire double from Brisbane proved the difference. That Freier/Jansen combo is going to kill teams.
Roar hold off Glory rally thanks to Brisbane’s dynamic duo
A clinical Brisbane Roar have inflicted a first A-League Women’s loss of the season on Perth Glory as they triumphed 3-2 in a pulsating encounter at HBF Park.
thewest.com.au
November 7, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Fun game in the Dub. Both teams will take plenty of heart - Glory probably unlucky to lose, but that 10-minute quickfire double from Brisbane proved the difference. That Freier/Jansen combo is going to kill teams.
Agustin Moyano a very handy pick-up for the Force. Last name added to their Super Rugby Pacific squad for 2026. Lot of depth at prop and in the halves, class in the second and back rows and plenty of both at outside back.
Force add more international flair with Los Pumas half-back
Western Force have rounded out their squad for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season with more international experience in the form of Argentinian scrum-half Agustin Moyano.
thewest.com.au
November 6, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Agustin Moyano a very handy pick-up for the Force. Last name added to their Super Rugby Pacific squad for 2026. Lot of depth at prop and in the halves, class in the second and back rows and plenty of both at outside back.
Tom Lawrence will miss the Central Coast clash with a concussion sustained against Melbourne Victory. Joins a mounting injury list for Perth.
More injury woe for Glory as star to miss Mariners clash
Perth Glory’s hopes of grabbing a first win of the season have taken a hit, with one of their biggest names ruled out of Friday night’s clash with Central Coast Mariners.
thewest.com.au
November 5, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Tom Lawrence will miss the Central Coast clash with a concussion sustained against Melbourne Victory. Joins a mounting injury list for Perth.
Perth Glory fan favourite David Williams is set to bid the club he has called home the past three seasons farewell.
But while he has a few off-field irons in the fire, the last survivor from the inaugural A-League season has no plans to retire just yet.
But while he has a few off-field irons in the fire, the last survivor from the inaugural A-League season has no plans to retire just yet.
A fond farewell as Glory fan favourite bids adieu
Perth Glory fan favourite and former Socceroo David Williams is set to bid the club he has called home for the past three seasons farewell - but the veteran is not done just yet.
thewest.com.au
November 5, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Perth Glory fan favourite David Williams is set to bid the club he has called home the past three seasons farewell.
But while he has a few off-field irons in the fire, the last survivor from the inaugural A-League season has no plans to retire just yet.
But while he has a few off-field irons in the fire, the last survivor from the inaugural A-League season has no plans to retire just yet.
United Cup news: Alex de Minaur and Maya Joint headline the Australian team, while Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu lead Team GB.
thewest.com.au
October 30, 2025 at 2:34 AM
United Cup news: Alex de Minaur and Maya Joint headline the Australian team, while Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu lead Team GB.
UNLOCKED AND FREE: It's Halloween, but less Nightmare on Elm (or Pier) Street & more Groundhog Day for Perth Glory.
How they reached the Zdrilic sacking was a Rube Goldberg machine of their own making.
My analysis on Perth's hunt for a fifth coach in six seasons.
How they reached the Zdrilic sacking was a Rube Goldberg machine of their own making.
My analysis on Perth's hunt for a fifth coach in six seasons.
It’s Glory’s Groundhog Day...again
Perth Glory are on the hunt for a fifth coach in six seasons since Tony Popovic's departure in 2020. Something has got to give.
thewest.com.au
October 29, 2025 at 9:04 AM
UNLOCKED AND FREE: It's Halloween, but less Nightmare on Elm (or Pier) Street & more Groundhog Day for Perth Glory.
How they reached the Zdrilic sacking was a Rube Goldberg machine of their own making.
My analysis on Perth's hunt for a fifth coach in six seasons.
How they reached the Zdrilic sacking was a Rube Goldberg machine of their own making.
My analysis on Perth's hunt for a fifth coach in six seasons.
Perth Glory chief executive Anthony Radichon why they sacked David Zdrilic sacking just two games into the new season and the hunt for a fifth coach in six seasons - but any new coach is not expected to be able to bring a big support staff with them.
Why Glory sacked coach just two games into new season
Perth Glory chief executive Anthony Radich said a lack of on-field progression despite substantial investment was behind coach David Zdrilic’s sacking just two games into the new season.
thewest.com.au
October 29, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Perth Glory chief executive Anthony Radichon why they sacked David Zdrilic sacking just two games into the new season and the hunt for a fifth coach in six seasons - but any new coach is not expected to be able to bring a big support staff with them.
Breaking: Perth Glory have sacked David Zdrilic, one season and two games into a three-year deal. A brutal call in its timing, but very hard to argue against it.
Glory make HUGE call to sack head coach Zdrilic
After just one season and two games, David Zdrilic’s reign as Perth Glory coach is over, not even halfway through the three-year deal the club gave him in June 2024.
thewest.com.au
October 28, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Breaking: Perth Glory have sacked David Zdrilic, one season and two games into a three-year deal. A brutal call in its timing, but very hard to argue against it.
"It was really hard, you didn’t know if you were going to have a job; this is our life, my career."
Julia Sardo has opened up on the uncertainty of Western United's off-field woes & her gratefulness Glory quickly moved to extend her professional career.
Julia Sardo has opened up on the uncertainty of Western United's off-field woes & her gratefulness Glory quickly moved to extend her professional career.
Glory new signing feared for future after United collapse
Julia Sardo admitted she feared for her future after Western United were placed into hibernation due to financial woes - and the new Perth Glory signing is thankful for the lifeline offered to her.
thewest.com.au
October 28, 2025 at 5:59 AM
"It was really hard, you didn’t know if you were going to have a job; this is our life, my career."
Julia Sardo has opened up on the uncertainty of Western United's off-field woes & her gratefulness Glory quickly moved to extend her professional career.
Julia Sardo has opened up on the uncertainty of Western United's off-field woes & her gratefulness Glory quickly moved to extend her professional career.
Spoke to @stevenmcgarry about Perth Glory's possession problems and lack of control over games. Not just a two-game sample size - Glory had a league-low 39.9 per cent average possession per game last season.
Perth’s lack of possession under microscope from Glory great
Perth Glory great Steven McGarry says his former side’s path to a renaissance starts with confronting their low possession stats, which is hindering their control over games.
thewest.com.au
October 27, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Spoke to @stevenmcgarry about Perth Glory's possession problems and lack of control over games. Not just a two-game sample size - Glory had a league-low 39.9 per cent average possession per game last season.
It has been more than six years since Perth Glory played in the A-League Women finals - but coach Stephen Peters is confident the wait will end sooner rather than later.
Peters’ Perth out to end finals barren run
It has been more than six years since Perth Glory played in the A-League Women finals — but coach Stephen Peters is confident the wait will end sooner rather than later.
thewest.com.au
October 27, 2025 at 3:01 AM
It has been more than six years since Perth Glory played in the A-League Women finals - but coach Stephen Peters is confident the wait will end sooner rather than later.
Sam Kerr has opened up on the self-doubt which plagued her during her 20-month injury lay-off, the mystery issue which kept her on the sidelines, and her hopes for the Women's Asian Cup.
‘Will this will ever go away?’: Kerr opens up on injury hell
Matildas superstar Sam Kerr has admitted she battled self-doubt during her marathon return from a torn ACL and wondered whether those negative feelings would ever dissipate.
thewest.com.au
October 24, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Sam Kerr has opened up on the self-doubt which plagued her during her 20-month injury lay-off, the mystery issue which kept her on the sidelines, and her hopes for the Women's Asian Cup.
Lachie Wales think Sebastian Despotovski is a 'goldfish' in the best way possible, and has commended the Glory young gun's football IQ.
Wales praises Perth’s new prince after immediate impact
He may have just 77 minutes of senior football to his name but Perth Glory‘s Sebastian Despotovski has already caught the eye of veteran teammate Lachie Wales, who lauded the young gun’s temperament.
thewest.com.au
October 24, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Lachie Wales think Sebastian Despotovski is a 'goldfish' in the best way possible, and has commended the Glory young gun's football IQ.
While Bumble Lloyd's mischievous 5-0 tip was taken with a grain of salt by a host of Australian cricket greats, Kim Hughes does have serious concerns over England's pace cartel's lack of Test experience down under.
Friendly fire back at Lloyd over “laughable” 5-0 tip
A trio of Australian cricket greats have poured cold water on English commentator David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd’s wry predictions of a whitewash as the lead-up to the Ashes ignites.
thewest.com.au
October 24, 2025 at 1:47 AM
While Bumble Lloyd's mischievous 5-0 tip was taken with a grain of salt by a host of Australian cricket greats, Kim Hughes does have serious concerns over England's pace cartel's lack of Test experience down under.
I know they squandered the chance to win it and then immediately threw the game away with some calamitious defending up the other end, but I actually came away more impressed with Newcastle
#F3Derby
#F3Derby
October 19, 2025 at 6:04 AM
I know they squandered the chance to win it and then immediately threw the game away with some calamitious defending up the other end, but I actually came away more impressed with Newcastle
#F3Derby
#F3Derby