Glory land big fish
Perth Glory women are eyeing a spot in the W-League finals this season after signing six Australian internationals for the 2014 campaign.
Glory coach Jamie Harnwell has managed to secure plenty of world-class talent, including WA product Sam Kerr, who returns to Perth after stints at Sydney FC and overseas.
Kerr will be joined by fellow Matildas Caitlin Foord, Mackenzie Arnold and Alanna Kennedy as new signings for 2014, while Kate Gill and Collette McCallum are familiar international faces in the Glory squad. Harnwell expected his international contingent to be at the top of their game as they fight for places in the Matildas squad for next year's Women's World Cup.
"It's fantastic to bring in so many quality players and characters into the Perth Glory squad," Harnwell said.
"To have six Matildas players in the squad leading into a World Cup year is really going to benefit the team.
"All of them will be desperate to perform and book their flight to Canada for next year and Perth Glory will be the beneficiary of that.
Former Western Sydney Wanderers defender Kennedy is aiming to return Glory to the finals after they missed last season by finishing fifth.
"Obviously I don't want to speak too soon, but I don't think finals, and even winning the league, is out of our reach," Kennedy said. "It's new, fresh and different and hopefully it gels together well and we have an exciting season."
Canadian international defender Shelina Zadorsky will be Glory's only import this year.
Zadorsky arrived in Perth on Tuesday. Kerr and Foord, who have been playing in the United States, will join their teammates early next month.
Glory begin their W-League season at their new home venue, Ashfield Sports Club, on September 14 against Brisbane Roar.
·Coach Kenny Lowe will continue preparations for the A-League season when he takes a youthful line-up into Perth Glory's friendly clash with State League Division One club Gosnells City at Walter Padbury Reserve on Sunday.
Lowe fielded an experimental side in Glory's 2-1 loss to the WA State team on Wednesday, giving most of his senior players a 45-minute hit-out in the second half.
