Above: Natalie Tathem speaking to media. Credit: Perth Glory.
By Ella McShane (4/2/26).
Perth Glory take on Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand this coming Friday in the infamous ‘Distance Derby’ for round 16 of the A-League. Over five thousand kilometres seperate the two sides geographically, but only four points seperate them on the league table, despite currently being placed second and eighth on the table.
Head Coach Stephen Peters and defender Natalie Tathem predict a high intensity match-up with the leagues leading goal scorers.
“We have to be on our guard, we have to be ready to fight. They’re a very physically imposing team.”
“If you’re wanting to be making finals and competing in this competition, it’s the kind of game you’ve got to be ready for.”
“I think they’ve completely changed since that game to be honest,” Peters said. “I think the introduction of the new strikers has obviously given them a different profile.”
With global football’s longest distance to separate the two teams, fatigue and player loading is also to be considered when going into this round.
“We need to make sure that we are in a good space, that we are fresh enough, energetic enough to take the game on. Every decision we are making about away games is making sure that we give the players every opportunity to be the best versions of themselves,” said Peters.
Tathem echoed Peters sentiments from a player’s perspective whilst also highlighting how the extra day provides a chance for players to recover and improve cohesion.
“One of the biggest things we wanted to improve on last year was our away record. Our club, our staff have done a lot of work in the background to see how they can make those away trips better for us.”
“Going a day earlier will make a big difference,” said Tathem.
Looking to the injury bench, Tijan McKenna will be in contention for this week’s squad, whilst Georgia Cassidy is unlikely to make a return this week.
Round 16 of the A-League kicks off at Sky Stadium at 4:00pm local time, with the match streaming free on 10+ and available to Paramount+ subscribers.
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