Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Justin Chadwick

Glory striker Ivanovic keen to play key role in new era

Striker Luke Ivanovic is ready to step up for new-look Perth Glory in the A-League Men this season. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

Perth Glory striker Luke Ivanovic has set his sights on forming a formidable partnership with Adam Taggart as a new era begins at the A-League club.

Glory kick off their season at home to the Newcastle Jets on Sunday under the guidance of new coach Alen Stajcic.

Perth also have new owners, with property tycoon Robert Brij and John Nekic buying the club this week after Tony Sage handed back the licence in July.

Stajcic is determined to return Glory to the top of the league like they were in the old NSL days, and Ivanovic is keen to play a key role.

The 23-year-old managed just four starts across 11 games last season after being stuck behind Taggart, Ryan Williams and David Williams in the pecking order.

The former Brisbane and Sydney striker wants to nail down a regular starting berth this season.

"(Eleven) games in my opinion is not good enough by my standards," Ivanovic said of his first season at Glory.

"I'm working hard to be playing every game this year and to be contributing to the team as much as I can, and to be winning and to be winning trophies at this club, because that's what this club deserves.

"Tags and I have played up front together for the last couple of (pre-season) games now. 

"We're gelling together, and so are the wingers. So it's looking good."

Midfielder Mustafa Amini will miss the early rounds while he recovers from a serious back injury.

Newcastle also enter the season under a new coach after ex-Sydney FC assistant Rob Stanton was appointed as a replacement for Arthur Papas.

The Jets finished 10th last season - on the same points as Glory but with
a worse goal difference.

Stajcic is tipping Newcastle to be somewhat of a surprise packet this season.

"They're definitely going to surprise a few teams this year," he said. 

"I'm definitely wary of the calibre of what they've brought in and their prep.

"They're a good team. They've got a good squad on paper. They've had an excellent pre-season

"They've played seven or eight A-League opponents already -  a couple in the FFA Cup and another five or six friendlies.

"In terms of preparation, I think they've had the best prep out of every team in the A-league.

"And having watched Robbie work for a long time, I've got an immense amount of respect for him as a coach."

The Jets will be without suspended midfielder Brandon O'Neill as well as injured duo Archie Goodwin and Reno Piscopo.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.