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: [email protected]
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
🔓Perth Glory had less than 30 per cent of the ball against Wellington. One of my biggest questions going into the season was how their two-man midfield would cope. Against the Phoenix, who overloaded in the middle of the park, it struggled.
Glory blame pressure drop after copping midfield domination
Perth Glory coach David Zdrilic says diminishing on-ball pressure led to a lopsided possession count which ultimately proved costly in their 2-2 draw with Wellington Phoenix at HBF Park.
thewest.com.au
October 19, 2025 at 3:49 AM
🔓Perth Glory had less than 30 per cent of the ball against Wellington. One of my biggest questions going into the season was how their two-man midfield would cope. Against the Phoenix, who overloaded in the middle of the park, it struggled.
Positives: Perth's new look front three looked electric. Negatives: Most of the game after Glory went 2-0 up. Last time they won an opening game was 2020.
Glory’s opening day hoodoo continues after lead vanishes
Perth Glory’s five-year opening game winless run has continued after they threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Wellington Phoenix in their A-League Men’s opener at HBF Park.
thewest.com.au
October 18, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Positives: Perth's new look front three looked electric. Negatives: Most of the game after Glory went 2-0 up. Last time they won an opening game was 2020.
Scott Wootton couldn't believe it when he was told Perth Glory were chasing Tom Lawrence; Adam Taggart felt like celebrating when the deal was done.
The Welshman won't play Saturday night, but he's made a strong early impression on his new teammates.
The Welshman won't play Saturday night, but he's made a strong early impression on his new teammates.
‘Felt like celebrating’: Wing wizard’s arrival well received
He may not be ready to take the field quite yet, but the excitement is palpable in Perth Glory co-captains Adam Taggart and Scott Wootton’s voices when they talk about new star signing Tom Lawrence.
thewest.com.au
October 17, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Scott Wootton couldn't believe it when he was told Perth Glory were chasing Tom Lawrence; Adam Taggart felt like celebrating when the deal was done.
The Welshman won't play Saturday night, but he's made a strong early impression on his new teammates.
The Welshman won't play Saturday night, but he's made a strong early impression on his new teammates.
How Scott Wootton slid into Adam Taggart's DMs and now the pair will share the captaincy for the upcoming Perth Glory season.
Glory double up on captains as Wootton joins Taggart
When Scott Wootton was thinking about joining Perth Glory, he reached out to captain Adam Taggart on Instagram to get an idea of the lay of the land; now, the pair will enter the season as co-captains...
thewest.com.au
October 15, 2025 at 5:42 AM
How Scott Wootton slid into Adam Taggart's DMs and now the pair will share the captaincy for the upcoming Perth Glory season.
United Cup tournament director Stephen Farrow says conversations are ongoing with Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz for the 2026 event.
Iga Swiatek is confirmed to return for the cross-city tournament, and don't rule out Alex de Minaur.
Iga Swiatek is confirmed to return for the cross-city tournament, and don't rule out Alex de Minaur.
United Cup hope for big three, de Minaur as Swiatek signs on
The United Cup’s tournament director says conversations are ongoing with men’s superstars Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz as the countdown to the 2026 event begins in earnest.
thewest.com.au
October 13, 2025 at 8:46 AM
United Cup tournament director Stephen Farrow says conversations are ongoing with Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz for the 2026 event.
Iga Swiatek is confirmed to return for the cross-city tournament, and don't rule out Alex de Minaur.
Iga Swiatek is confirmed to return for the cross-city tournament, and don't rule out Alex de Minaur.
Entering his second season as Perth Glory coach, David Zdrilic might be the most under-pressure coach in Australian sport.
How does he deal with the pressure he has found himself under? And will it be a case of sophomore slump or comeback of the year?
How does he deal with the pressure he has found himself under? And will it be a case of sophomore slump or comeback of the year?
‘Pressure is a privilege’: Zdrilic ready for season two
Perth Glory coach David Zdrilic might be the most under-pressure coach in Australian sport. As the A-League Men’s season approaches, will it be a sophomore slump or comeback of the century?
thewest.com.au
October 12, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Entering his second season as Perth Glory coach, David Zdrilic might be the most under-pressure coach in Australian sport.
How does he deal with the pressure he has found himself under? And will it be a case of sophomore slump or comeback of the year?
How does he deal with the pressure he has found himself under? And will it be a case of sophomore slump or comeback of the year?
Perth Glory have beaten Melbourne Victory to the signature of Welsh international Tom Lawrence, with the former Manchester United, Derby County and Rangers attacking midfielder filling a huge area of need for Perth.
Glory sign ex-Red Devil, Ram and Rangers attacker Lawrence
Former Welsh international Tom Lawrence will add a new chapter to his story in WA, after Perth Glory beat Melbourne Victory to the signature of the one-time Manchester United attacking midfielder.
thewest.com.au
October 9, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Perth Glory have beaten Melbourne Victory to the signature of Welsh international Tom Lawrence, with the former Manchester United, Derby County and Rangers attacking midfielder filling a huge area of need for Perth.
Joe Montemurro has offered updates on Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler - and they're both positive. Kerr expected to be named on Friday in the squad to face England and Wales.
Matildas set for huge boost with Kerr return
Sam Kerr has not played for the Matildas since November 2023 - but that wait is close to an end.
thewest.com.au
October 8, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Joe Montemurro has offered updates on Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler - and they're both positive. Kerr expected to be named on Friday in the squad to face England and Wales.