A fascinating opening day fixture takes place in the west, as a bolstered Perth Glory host season 6 finalist Brisbane Roar at Ashfield Reserve.

The Glory have recruited well with a trio of high profile Matildas signings. Sam Kerr, Alanna Kennedy and Mackenzie Arnold look set to add depth and quality in equal measure to the squad.

In contrast, the Roar have only one new recruit in local defender Angela Beard.

In a short league campaign Perth Glory face the challenge of getting all of their new signings to gel in time to hit the ground running.

In stark contrast their opponents have an established understanding of each other’s play, honed by years of stability, which may prove a pivotal factor in this opening fixture.

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This contest will be a test of Glory’s steel as Brisbane Roar will look to exploit an unproven Glory defence.

Pacy strikers Hayley Raso and Tameka Butt and midfield maestro Katrina Gorry will be hoping to rattle a new defensive signings Shelina Zadorsky, Alanna Kennedy and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.

Likewise the Glory will be looking to unleash their added fire power up front. Sam Kerr and Kate Gill look set to be a formidable forward pair and will be hoping to expose the Brisbane defence.

Both sides home form was questionable last season with Brisbane’s first home win coming against the Glory in round 8. Their 2-1 victory highlighted their previous home form hoodoo, which they will look to eradicate this term.

Glory’s home form was also inconsistent. With the team picking up three wins out of six games. The home team will therefore be looking to get off to a flying start with three points against potential championship contenders.

Both teams have experienced W-League players and will be hoping to go one better than last season’s efforts. Glory will be hoping to regain a top four position and Brisbane will be looking to be crowned champions.

This clash looks set to give an early indication of both team’s ambition, intent and quality.

Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar

Sunday 14 September 2014

Ashfield Sports Club, Perth

Local kick-off: 12pm (2pm AET)

Perth Glory squad: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (gk), 2. Sarah Carroll, 4. Bronwyn Studman, 6. Alanna Kennedy, 7. Gabrielle Marzano, 8. Shawn Billam, 9. Caitlin Foord, 12. Kate Gill, 13. ElisaD’Ovidio, 14. Collette McCallum (C), 15. Shelina Zadorsky, 16. Thia Eastman, 17. Marianna Tabain, 18. Gabrielle Dal Busco (gk), 20. Sam Kerr

Unavailable: none

Brisbane Roar squad: 2. Laura ALLEWAY, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Hayley RASO, 7. Kim CARROLL, 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 9. Larissa CRUMMER, 10. Katrina GORRY, 11. Vedrana POPOVIC, 13. Tameka BUTT, 14. Natasha WHEELER, 15. Brooke GOODRICH, 16. Angela BEARD, 17. Emily GIELNIK, 19. Ayesha NORRIE, 20. Kate STEWART (gk), 21. Teagan MICAH (gk)

Unavailable: Nadine Angerer (Germany national team duty – two weeks), Amy Chapman (knee – one week), Sunny Franco (omitted)