by Ben Gilby (19/12/24)
Above: Gabby Hollar talking to the media yesterday at the club’s base in Fremantle. Image: Perth Glory.
Perth Glory attacker Gabby Hollar believes last weekend’s victory over Adelaide United was reward for hard work that has brought incremental improvements each week this season.
The 3-1 win in front of a partisan crowd of just under 1,000 at the club’s new Sam Kerr Football Centre home saw the American score her first goals for the club. It was an experience that she cherishes.
“It meant a lot, to get three points against Adelaide who are a good side, and in front of the home fans as well…it was great to finally get on the scoresheet, but more than that, to get the three points with the team was incredible.”
It was the perfect response to the team’s heartbreaking loss to Melbourne Victory the previous week to a goal scored in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes. Perseverence and determination came together to get the points last week.
“I think we’ve just been building each week and the steps we’ve taken, we just kept building off of that and it was bound to happen…(we had to) just keep trying to play for 90 minutes, 100 minutes, and we finally showed that against Adelaide.”
The match was rumbustuous throughout with some tasty challenges and battles. Hollar loved every second of the approach and saw it as a positive sign for the growing team spirit among head coach Stephen Peters’ side.
“It (was a) more physical (game) than it’s been in the past (this season). I think it was a good thing, I think it was a great thing. We were in their face from the start to the finish. I think that just showed, any time there was a mistake or anything like that, our reaction was, in my opinion, incredible.”
After the match, Adelaide United mentioned how loud the atmosphere was in the stadium due to the fans being so close to the pitch. Hollar believes it’s a sign that fans and players coming together can create something special: “I think as the game progressed, it (the atmosphere) got more intense, and we loved it. It’s so fun to play in front of fans who are into it, are loud, and engaged, and it was incredible.”
Through the matches this season, Hollar’s position in the team, and that of Kelli Brown and Megan Wynne has moved around with the trio changing places from through the middle to the flanks at times during matches. It’s a strength among those three players that the American believes the Glory can reap rewards from.
“We’re very fluid and dynamic in how we move, so just trying to figure the best movements for all of us, and I think we’re headed in the right direction.”
Friday’s trip to Western Sydney Wanderers is a huge game. After the Wanderers claimed their first win of the campaign in some style, putting five goals past Western United last time out, both sides are in a position to make a big climb up the ladder.
Whilst Perth have only two wins from their opening six games and sit in 10th place, they are only a point outside the all-important top six at present. Hollar expects a tough game, but feels the team are well prepared.
“It’s such a competitive league that anyone can win on any given day…we’ve watched them (Western Sydney Wanderers) on some film, but if we just keep building and take the momentum from our last game, I think we’re in good hands.”
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