Hawthorn's hot AFLW form is set to cause Perth Glory a minor headache, with key recruit Casey Dumont set to miss the first month of the A-League Women season.
Dumont, a star goalkeeper who has won three caps for the Matildas and spent successful stints with the Roar, Sydney, Victory and Mariners, was one of Glory's biggest recruits heading into the upcoming season.
But the 32-year-old won't arrive until finishing up the AFLW campaign with Hawthorn.
The Hawks (7-1) currently sit second on the ladder with three regular-season rounds still remaining.
The AFLW grand final is scheduled for November 30, meaning Dumont's first game for Glory isn't likely to come until after the international window, when Perth host Melbourne Victory on December 8.
Glory's season begins on November 3, with Dumont set to miss games against Melbourne City, Newcastle, Brisbane and Canberra.
Dumont is yet to notch a game for the Hawks, but she's still a required player there.
"I'm not worried about (her getting injured at the Hawks). She's a true professional. She's probably the fittest she's ever been, according to her," new Glory coach Stephen Peters said.
"You've just got to trust that the person is doing everything that they can to be as professional as they can.
"In Casey's situation, she's very, very experienced in the league, so she knows exactly what needs to be done in terms of her preparation for her body.
"And from a technical and tactical perspective, she's keeping in touch with me on a pretty regular basis, so she's staying in tune with what we're doing so she can make a smooth transition into the squad."
Dumont's recruitment was important for Glory following the departure of last season's ALW goalkeeper of the year Morgan Aquino, who joined American club DC Power.
With Aquino gone and Dumont still unavailable, Miranda Templeman is set to be handed first crack at goalkeeper.
Isobel Dalton and Onyinyechi Zogg have been appointed as Glory's co-captains this season following the retirement of Natasha Rigby.
"Honestly, she's irreplaceable," Dalton said of Rigby.
"I don't think anybody can take what she's done for Glory away from her.
"But I think playing with her the past year, she's obviously taught me a lot as a leader and as a person and player."
