Impetus’ Ben Gilby reports on Perth Glory’s media conference with captain Tash Rigby ahead of her 100th appearance for the club on Saturday, and head coach Alex Epakis on his skipper’s influence, the challenge of Melbourne Victory and the impact of his young locally produced stars (16/11/23).
Above: Tash Rigby speaking to the media today ahead of her 100th appearance for the club on Saturday against Melbourne Victory at Macedonia Park. Image: Perth Glory.
Perth Glory captain and club icon Tash Rigby spoke of her huge pride and most memorable moments ahead of her hundredth appearance for the A-League Women leaders this weekend.
“I’m so incredibly excited, grateful, and honoured to step out for the hundredth time for Glory,” Rigby said to the gathered media today.
Reflecting on her proudest moments in a purple shirt, the Western Australian identified “Definitely playing in the Grand Final in my first year (2016/17) and the second one in 2019. Just being a part of the club’s development as well…there have been so many amazing moments.”
Rigby does though have a memory of her debut in 2016/17 that still haunts her: “I remember coming on as a sub in the last 10 minutes and giving the ball away and them (the opposition) almost scoring, so that was a bit traumatic, but I managed to pull it around!”
Having already played in two Grand Finals for her home state club, the Glory captain is optimistic that another one could be on the horizon. “We’ve started so well. We have amazing momentum at the moment, and that’s credit to every player and staff member.”
This success is as a result of a lot of effort put in consistently over the last four years, with Rigby shining a light on the work done by head coach Alex Epakis that is now bearing fruit, “Alex has been looking to build something more sustainable over the past few years, and it’s looking really positive.”
Rigby has a real sense of pride in the outstanding performances being delivered consistently by the teenage local talent who have come into the squad this season.
“So impressed. It’s such a testament to the depth of our squad. Georgia Cassidy has been phenomenal. She has just been nominated as Young Player of the Year, which is a credit to her work. She’s phenomenal on the ball, so good technically, and she has just slotted in. Grace Johnston as well, another local girl has been awesome.”
The Glory skipper makes her milestone appearance against a Melbourne Victory side who remain one of the most consistently powerful outfits in the league. They a team that Rigby has huge respect for
“They have one of the better teams on paper in the league, some Matildas, real experience, and some great younger players as well. Jeff (Hopkins) is a phenomenal coach, so they will be a real test for us…they are definitely the benchmark.”
As many Perth Glory watchers this season feel, Rigby emphasised that the team is still to reach its full potential. “We know we haven’t played at our best yet. We’ve seen our best in training, and we know we want to build towards that performance.”
Perth Glory head coach Alex Epakis feels that the recognition coming Tash Rigby’s way ahead of her 100th appearance this Saturday is well overdue given the unbelievable “impact she has had on the team.”
“There are not enough words to put into place how much she has done for the team. Her personal values and what she brings just really resonates with the group, and there’s a clear link between our team and what she is and her personality and I really love that.
“Coming as a country girl (Rigby grew up in Margaret River, WA) into a system later on, that’s not easy. I think that’s perfectly Tash though. She’s such a competitor and has a mentality where she is going to be the hardest worker and put everything into the team. Those attributes are not gained in youth development. That’s in grit. That’s why it fits Perth Glory, who we want to be as a team. She hasn’t had the chance to play in the international camp, but she is 100% Perth Glory.
“She’s the ultimate club person. 100 caps for one club – you don’t often see that. That speaks absolute volumes for her values, what she is as a person and I hope it’s well acknowledged what she does for this team.”
With Perth Glory going into the game with four wins from four and clear at the top of the A-League Women, they face one of the league’s most successful teams in recent years. Whilst Victory has had a mixed start to the campaign results-wise, for Epakis, they remain the benchmark against which to measure progress – but he sees no reason for concern.
“They have close to 300 Matildas caps sprinkled throughout the team. They’ve got the most experienced coach in the competition. They also train out of the Home for the Matildas. You look at that and think ‘That’s going to be a big test.’ But, I look at my team and my players are really up for this. We’re playing some really good football and some of the things we focus on as a playing group are coming to life in games, and this is another opportunity to ramp it up and go another level.
“Every opportunity to play against them is a good one because the players get to test themselves, and I get to test myself as a coach. We just want to keep doing what we do. There are a lot of things we’re doing that are at a good level, and some things we need to tweak. I’m certain that if we do that, the statement will come as a by-product. That will come whether it’s against Melbourne Victory or anyone else.”
The Perth boss reported a clean bill of health ahead of Saturday’s showdown, and gave an insight into just how tough it is for players to get a starting spot this season, given the strength in depth at the club.
“The internal competition is immense at the moment. There are players who played week in week out last season who right now are doing their absolute best to get into the squad this year. My focus is we look after everyone, we coach everyone to the best of our ability and the starting 11 takes care of itself.”
One of those players who has managed to play every week so far – her first-ever matches as a professional footballer – has been Georgia Cassidy. The local teenager has been a standout for Hyundai NTC in the NPLW WA for several seasons, and she has looked a seasoned A-League Women player.
“Georgia is quite a quiet character, but she’s come in with a steely focus this year, (and) taken the opportunity she has been given. Her first four appearances have been at a level that have probably exceeded her expectations. I have a lot of belief in what she is capable of and I think there is a lot more to go, and I’m really excited to see how she develops this season, she is a great talent.”
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