Perth Glory's 2025-26 A-League season has been a rollercoaster, with moments of brilliance and patches of inconsistency. Football analyst Ben Smith has taken a deep dive into the squad's performances, offering his grades for each player based on their contributions throughout the campaign.
Goalkeepers and Defenders
In goal, Oliver Sail has been a reliable presence, earning a solid B+ for his shot-stopping and command of the box. However, his distribution could be sharper. John Koutroumbis at right-back has been consistent, grading a B, while Mark Beevers at centre-back earns a B- after a few costly errors. Jacob Muir impressed with his composure, scoring a B+. Left-back Joshua Rawlins showed promise but needs to improve defensively, receiving a C+.
Midfield
The midfield engine room saw Mustafa Amini lead by example, earning an A- for his work rate and creativity. Luke Ivanovic struggled for consistency, grading a C. Daniel Bennie was a bright spark with his dribbling, earning a B, while Jayden Gorman showed potential in patches, scoring a C+. Adam Taggart was a standout, earning an A for his goals and leadership.
Forwards
Up front, David Williams provided experience but lacked cutting edge, grading a C+. Stefan Colakovski showed flashes of brilliance, earning a B-, while Salim Khelifi was inconsistent, scoring a C. Youngster Abdelelah Al-Ghamdi showed promise but needs more game time, receiving a C.
Overall Assessment
Smith noted that the squad has depth but lacks consistency in key areas. The defense needs to tighten, while the midfield and attack have shown they can compete with the best on their day. With a few key additions and improved discipline, Perth Glory could challenge for the finals next season.
