By Ben Gilby
Ahead of today’s Top Four Cup game against Perth RedStar, Perth SC head coach Tom Glavovic has spoken of his deep pride in his side’s historic achievements so far in 2025, and his belief that his team are highly motivated to claim further silverware.
For the first time, the Azzurri have ended the NPLW season as champions, but with that honour comes the addition of now having a target on their backs.
“It’s a new challenge, but one we welcome,” Glavovic outlined. “Being champions means that we’ve earned that target, and the players see it as motivation rather than pressure.
“Our approach won’t change – we’ll stay focussed, trust in our work, and enjoy the opportunity to test ourselves again against the best teams.”
Perth’s championship success came in Glavovic’s first season as a senior coach, which is a stunning achievement, but one that he sees as the consequence of a real team ethic.
“I want to say how proud I am of this group. Winning the league for the first time in Perth Soccer Club’s history is an incredible achievement, but it’s one that belongs to everyone – the players, the staff, and the club as a whole,” he said.
“The players showed real belief, sacrifice, and hard work all season, and they fully deserved this success.
“The biggest factor was the collective. Every single player bought into the vision, worked hard, and made sacrifices for the team. It was a true team effort on and off the pitch, and that’s what made history possible.
“I also want to thank my coaching staff – Lucy (Smith, physio), who kept the group fit and injury free. Jordan, who did an outstanding job with our goalkeepers, Fernando (Barreiro) who provided great support earlier in the season, and Federico (Achilli) who was a big help on game days. This was never about individuals – it was a collective effort, and that’s what makes it so special.
“This is a proud moment for our women’s program, and hopefully it’s just the start of more history to come.”
The importance of that team ethic was something that the Azzurri head coach emphasised to the group from day one of his tenure.
“It was about standards and togetherness. I wanted the team to be disciplined, hardworking, and to trust in each other. But more importantly, I wanted us to build an environment where players enjoyed coming to training, felt supported, and pushed each other to get better every single week.”
Glavovic succeeded Danielle Brogan as head coach in the close season. Brogan had brought a first State Cup to the club in 2024, and also guided the side to the Top Four Cup Final.
“One of the biggest challenges was building almost a brand new team,” he explained. “We lost a number of players from last season who signed professional contracts, or moved interstate, so we brought in a lot of new and young, talented players.
“That meant creating cohesion from scratch, getting them to understand my vision, and adapting them to the style of football I wanted us to play.
“At the same time, maintaining consistency across the season was tough – every opponent raised their level against us. But credit to the group, they bought in completely and executed it brilliantly.”
Across the campaign every Perth player has pointed out the deep connection and team ethic that connects everyone at the club. Something like that doesn’t happen by accident, and Glavovic highlighted how he set out to put it in place for this season.
“From the very start of the season, I emphasised to every player – both individually and collectively – that the team environment, respect, balance, and support are non-negotiable. Everyone in the squad and staff had clear responsibility and accountability.
“We also worked with an open-door policy, honest relationships, and teamwork at the core. To support that, I created a leadership group which really helped communication flow both ways between the players and the coaching staff.
“Ultimately, the players embraced all of this, and their commitment to each other is what built the special bond we now have.”
Perth’s title success came on the back of an incredible defensive record, only conceding 14 goals in their 21 regular NPLW WA season games. It was the fruition of another Glavovic ethic that he laid down in pre-season.
“It really came down to a full-time commitment to defending, starting from the front. Every player understood that defending was a collective responsibility, not just for the back line. That discipline and buy-in set the foundation for everything we did.
“Of course, we also had some outstanding individual performances. Dayle (Schroeder) had an incredible season in goal – her consistency and presence were huge for us. At centre-back, our two senior leaders, Kim (McCartney) and Matilda (Boehm), controlled the defensive line brilliantly, showing composure and experience when it mattered most.
“On the flanks, Epril (Nossent) on the right and Violet (Longmore) on the left were exceptional, covering enormous ground and handling their roles with real quality.
“At the same time, we had younger players step in seamlessly when needed, whether through holidays or rotation, and that’s credit to them for maintaining the standards and discipline we demand.
“Ultimately, our defence was built on organisation, leadership, and trust, and it became a platform that allowed us to also express ourselves in attack. A strong defence and strong attack went hand in hand, and that balance was key to our success.”
One of the aspects that the Azzurri head coach is proud of his team achieving in 2025 is the fact that they ran out winners of what he feels was the toughest NPLW WA yet.
“I was really impressed by how much the league has grown,” he admitted. “The quality of players across all the teams has improved massively, and this year was without doubt the most competitive and strongest the league has ever been. Every game was a real test.
“For us, the hard work in pre-season and throughout the campaign made the difference. It wasn’t just about the physical preparation on the training pitch, but also the tactical sessions and the detail we put in as a group. That gave us the consistency to compete week in week out.
“Full credit has to go to the other teams and coaches as well – it’s been an exceptional season of football overall.”