A Season-Ending Win for Perth Glory
Perth Glory’s coach, Adam Griffiths, has expressed his desire to continue leading the club after guiding them to a 2-1 victory over Brisbane Roar in their final A-League Men match of the season. This win served as a fitting farewell for retiring club legend Josh Risdon, who played a key role in the team’s success.
With both teams out of contention for the finals, the match was largely about pride and securing contracts. However, the efforts of Gabriel Popovic and Sebastian Despotovski ensured that Risdon left the pitch as a winner. The game took place at HBF Park on Saturday, where fans witnessed a thrilling display of football.
Griffiths took charge of the club after David Zdrilic was dismissed following just two rounds. He was given a contract to lead the team until the end of the 2025-26 season. However, he made it clear that he wants to continue in his role next season.
“I definitely think I’m the right person to take this club forward,” Griffiths said. “I see the mentality is shifting.”
Risdon, a former World Cup Socceroo and the club’s all-time A-League appearances leader, was substituted in the 75th minute. This allowed him to witness Despotovski’s decisive goal, which secured the win for Perth Glory.
“I didn’t feel any different coming into the game. It probably started to hit home when I was walking out onto the pitch with my family,” Risdon reflected. “To come on in the last 15 minutes and play a part was nice.”
The match saw a back-and-forth battle between the two teams. Popovic opened the scoring with a penalty in the sixth minute, but Brisbane Roar equalized through Dimitri Valkanis, who managed to push the ball over the line after a corner kick in the 67th minute.
Glory had a chance to go ahead again when Nicholas Pennington missed a penalty in the 30th minute, hitting the crossbar. Despite their protests, the goal was not disallowed for a foul. However, Griffiths had instructed Pennington to take the spot-kick, and it was Despotovski who delivered the winning goal with a powerful half-volley from the top of the box.
Neither team saw any movement in the league table after the match. Perth finished in 10th place, ending a streak of consecutive wooden spoons, while Brisbane Roar remained in 11th position.
Brisbane coach Michael Valkanis, who is contracted for next season, has faced a difficult year in 2026. The Roar won only one of their last 16 games and finished second-bottom for the second consecutive season.
“We’ve had no luck,” Valkanis said. “We’re going to have to bring in a Greek priest to bless the club, because the bad luck has just continued in 2026.”
Key Moments of the Match
- Early Goal: Gabriel Popovic opened the scoring for Perth Glory with a penalty in the sixth minute.
- Equalizer: Brisbane Roar’s Dimitri Valkanis scored an equalizer by pushing the ball over the line after a corner in the 67th minute.
- Missed Opportunity: Nicholas Pennington missed a crucial penalty in the 30th minute, hitting the crossbar.
- Decisive Goal: Sebastian Despotovski scored the winning goal with a powerful half-volley from the top of the box, securing the victory for Perth Glory.
Final Standings
After the match, both teams saw no changes in their positions on the league table. Perth Glory finished in 10th place, breaking a run of consecutive wooden spoons, while Brisbane Roar remained in 11th.
Despite the loss, the match provided a memorable send-off for Josh Risdon, who will be remembered as a key figure in the club’s history. His contribution to the team’s success was evident throughout the game, and his final appearance was a moment to cherish for fans and players alike.
