by Ben Gilby (12/3/25)
Above: Susan Phonsongkham speaking to the media today at Perth Glory’s Fremantle HQ.
Approaching her fourth season in a Perth Glory shirt, things had been looking good for Susan Phonsongkham. A new contract off of the back of arguably her best season for the club, and a hugely impressive NPLW Victoria season. Then it all went horribly wrong.
Phonsongkham had been a key part of the Preston Lions side that made the NPLW Victoria Grand Final in 2024, but during that big game, her last one before flying back to Perth to prepare for the A-League Women season, she suffered a devastating ankle injury.
It has been a desperately tough period for the 24-year-old attacker, who admitted today: “It was difficult for sure. I think it was the lowest I’ve ever been in terms of football, but it is what it is, it happens. Now I’m back!”
Back Phonsongkham definitely is. Her return to the Glory as a substitute in last Friday’s 3-0 win at Western United at the Sam Kerr Football Centre saw a cameo of everything that is so good about her. Centimetre perfect passes that curve into the strides of team mates, and devastating runs. The icing on the cake was a goal from the penalty spot.
“It means a lot to me, to be back playing with the girls, and just play for the fans and play for this club, and I want to do something for them…the home crowd has always been amazing here.
“It was really important for the girls to get three points, especially that game. Throughout this season we didn’t have the results we wanted.”
And, as for that penalty, there was just the merest hint of a rueful smile as Phonsongkham revealed how it came about that she took it.
“I kinda asked for it, just for myself, personally to get my confidence back up and the girls were backing me all the way.”
The midfielder/striker came back into a Glory side now under the stewardship of Stephen Peters, someone who she feels has kept her included and feeling valued despite spending almost all of her time since he arrived at the club on the treatment table.
“I think for Stephen – I’ve obviously played against him in the NPL in New South Wales, so I kinda knew him from then. He has been amazing for us. Implementing different playing styles to what we had last year, so it was good to be fresh.”
That win over Western United has now reignited Perth’s Finals hopes. The Western Australians stand six points outside of the last spot in the six – currently held by Central Coast Mariners. This Friday they travel to Industree Group Stadium to face Emily Husband’s side in a huge contest. It would be a perfect time to earn their first away win of the campaign.
“It’s always been a talk in our group to make the top six,” Phonsongkham admitted. We just need to take one game at a time and see where it goes from there. It will mean a lot for us as a group, also for the fans and the coaching staff as well. It will be a massive, massive thing for the club.”
Whilst in the immediate term, the 24-year-old is solely focussed on hitting her straps once more on the pitch for Perth, she is also beginning to look ahead to what is to come in order to get her in the best possible position to come out flying at the start of next season – and had a message that the club’s fans should feel extremely positive about.
“I’d love to stay. I love the fans, I love the club. The place is amazing, I love Perth. I’m going to have to be smarter in the off-season and not push myself playing NPL if it’s not needed. Every injury I’ve had has come in the NPL and I’ve not been able to come into the (A-League) season fit and ready, so I’ll be smart and look into that.”
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