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Lowe urges Glory to finish 'on top'

Lowe urges Glory to finish 'on top'

Perth Glory coach Kenny Lowe has told his players he’ll understand if they want to leave the besieged club at the end of the season, but urged them to play for each other and continue to chase success in the last two games.

And Lowe has called for fans to support the players after a season-low attendance of just 7426 at nib Stadium last week, saying now is the time to show their class.

Glory’s final home match will be played against Melbourne City tomorrow, just days after CEO Jason Brewer resigned and the club accepted its disqualification from the A-League finals for breaching the salary cap.

Perth are only three points behind top of the table Melbourne Victory but will be relegated to seventh place before the finals. Despite playing only for pride, Lowe said the team still had goals - including winning the last two games so their demotion occurs from first place.

“It would be nice. If they do that I think they go higher in everybody’s estimation,” Lowe said.

“It’s going to be a tough ask for them. They’ve got to battle their own demons but it would be lovely.

“They are focused on doing the right thing for themselves individually and also as a group. We had a talk today and that’s the big focus.

“What can you do for your mate? How can you help your mate out? We’re not focusing on it as individuals. We’re focusing on each other and looking to help each other out.”

Lowe said the final two matches would be the toughest that he had ever coached and revealed the pain he felt seeing his children crying on Thursday night. But he expressed no bitterness towards Brewer.

He said the players were united at the moment but admitted telling them he would understand if they left the club at the end of the season.

“If the conditions are not right for the guys, something else comes along and they’ve got an opportunity for themselves and their families, I’ve just said ‘guys, you’ve got to look after yourselves,” he said.

“It’s a funny game. The only person that looks after you in this game is you. It’s ruthless, it’s horrible but also it gives you something else. It is magnificent and joyful as well.”

Both teams will be without key players tomorrow. Glory couldn’t select Rostyn Griffiths (suspended) Nebojsa Marinkovic (groin) and Sidnei Sciola (hamstring). City left Josh Kennedy (rested), Jacob Melling and Kew Jaliens (both suspended) and Safuwan Baharudin (back) at home.

Lowe promised a competitive effort.

“Whether it all pans out for us, I don’t know but I tell you what - they will try. I will try, they will, as a group we’ll try, individually we’ll try. There’s no question of that,” he said.