In the 50 plus games he has been in charge there have been many different players pull on the purple shirt, but only a handful have been there since the beginning. 

One of those believes that this is the season the purple machine will finally claim the club’s first ever Championship.

American midfielder Nikki Stanton has been an almost ever-present player in those four seasons and is relishing her second finals campaign, having been part of the Glory team that was beaten by Melbourne City in the 2017 grand final.

She is determined to avoid a repeat of that disappointment and feels that the spirit in the team this season is going to see them claim the Championship.

The 28-year-old described the team as close and tight knit, and talked about the campaign as being one where “we had to fight a little bit more (than in previous seasons) in some of the games and I think that we’ve played with a lot of heart”.

She felt they had grown as a team during the campaign.

“We’ve had a few bumps along the way, but we’ve had a consistent gradual build with our game," Stanton said. 

"That comes with consistency from our players and there’s a lot of positivity and lot more energy."

Their opponents in the semi-final on Sunday are the Premiers Melbourne Victory, and they have beaten the West Australian side twice already this season, wrapping up the minor premiership after the win in Perth last Friday.

Despite these losses, Stanton feels very confident going into the semifinal and puts that down to the team spirit within the squad.

“The team just meshes really well and we really fight for each other” she said.

The previous results between the two teams have been very close, and Stanton points to this as being another reason to feel that they can turn the form book on its head.

“I think we match up to them really well, and if we just play our game and finally come out and put in a full 90 minutes against them then we’ll have some success."

If they do win through Stanton was unfazed about who they might face in the grand final.

“The way that the W-League has panned out, whoever we play its going to be a tough game but I think we’re ready for them. We’re really in high spirits and I’m really excited and it should be good.”

If Glory are to overcome the minor premiers, then Stanton and her teammates will have to be at the top of their individual game as well as match the Victorians in their team play.

Melbourne are worthy champions and the task facing Perth is a tough one, especially considering Glory have won only one game on the road this season, but with the irrepressible pair of Sam Kerr and Rachel Hill up front, Glory poses a threat for any team.

Whatever the result though, Stanton will once again give her all for the team that she has taken to her heart.

“I love coming to Perth, I love playing for Perth, I love being part of Glory and I love this group of girls” she said.

Catch Glory in action against Victory on Sunday at AAMI Park from 2pm local time (11am AWST). The match will be live on FoxSports 505 and through the My Football App.