And as Glory head into their elimination semi-final against Adelaide United tomorrow, the versatile Chianese is ready to fill whatever role head coach Tony Popovic gives him.

For the 29-year-old, who has experienced the rough and tumble of professional football after debuting for Sydney FC eight years ago, is in the form of his life.

This season Chianese has been a constant in Perth’s Premier’s Plate-winning campaign. He has been involved in every A-League round, bar one, and bagged five goals and four assists.

Wherever on the pitch Popopvic has placed him, the Sydneysider has done a job.

Chianese explains a full pre-season and the faith of his coach has given him the boost to fully reach his potential.

“For me it’s probably been my best professional season,” he told FTBL.

“I’m in the best shape I’ve been in a long time. I’ve been injury-free all season, I had a really good pre-season, which has gone a long way to helping me get where I am this season.

“At the same time the boss has given me a lot of confidence and got me mentally stronger to believe in myself and back myself every game. I think I’ve come a long way this year. I’ve got stronger and stronger as the season’s gone on.

“There’s a bit more improvement to come and that’s why I wanted to stay on another year. I’m just enjoying being part of a winning squad. We’ve got a little taste of silverware and it would be nice to do the double now.”

It hasn’t always been easy for Chianese, who had three seasons as a youngster with Sydney FC before his release from the Sky Blues, and went on to have spells in the National Premier League NSW with Sydney United and Bonnyrigg, and then in Malaysia.

It was in South-east Asia where the striker regained his touch in a spell with Negeri Sembilan FA, eventually earning a move to Perth in 2016.

But the arrival of Popovic this season has spurred him on to greater heights. Chianese remembers being excited but also nervous when the former Western Sydney boss was first appointed as Kenny Lowe’s replacement last year.

"For me, it was a little bit exciting,” he said.

"We’d heard some stories about his time at the Wanderers, some good things and some bad things. Really a lot of us players weren’t sure what was going to happen, but there was a sense of excitement and it’s just paid off.

"Personally, he makes you really back yourself and believe in yourself. I think with me, I was having a lot of injuries which kept me out and I wasn’t getting a lot of consistent games, so you sort of start to doubt yourself a little bit.

"Even though you have the ability when you play, you’re playing well but then you pick up another injury and miss a month or two months, it sort of puts a dent in you and you start to doubt yourself.

"The boss here has just made sure that mentally you’re strong and tactically disciplined, it just goes a long way to making sure your mind is clear and then you can perform at your best."

Chianese is clearly happy in the west and in May re-signed with the club for another year.

"I really love the city, it’s been good to us,” he says.

"My fiancé loves the city as well and we’re really happy here. When I did sign I wasn’t sure who the coach was going to be here for this season, but when we did find out it was Poppa it was quite exciting.

"He just made it clear from day one of pre-season that he can see a lot of ability in me but I need to make sure I get through the pre-season and get through some of the tough times that are going to be ahead and it should pay off towards the end of the season.”

Known primarily as a winger or as a striker, Chianese's versatility has been a big asset for the Glory in 2018/2019.

"You’d like to cement yourself wherever it is, cement a spot and play out the year there week-in-week-out,” the Blacktown City junior admits.

"[But] I’ve been able to sort of fill in when we’ve been down on players, or had a few injuries or suspensions. I guess the boss has that faith in me and trust in me to do the job whether it’s one week at striker, then the next week playing as a left back.

"It just goes to show he trusts me and backs me to play wherever he puts me. Obviously I’ve found myself more comfortable as a striker or winger, but at the same I think being in such good shape and feeling really good allows me to play wherever the boss needs me to fill in.

"You have to make sure you’re ready for every week because you don’t know if the boss will pull you in and say you’re playing here or there this week. You’ve always got to be on your game, that’s for sure.”

Perth will meet Adelaide on Friday at Optus Stadium with a place in the grand final up for grabs. Having already beaten the Reds twice and drawn once in three previous meetings this season, Chianese says the squad is in a good mood after a weekend of rest.

"We’re well rested after having the weekend off, although we did train pretty hard over the last week,” he said.

"It’s been nice to sit back and watch the other teams go to work, and work pretty hard, especially the Adelaide-Melbourne City game. The boys are in good spirits and everyone’s excited now.”

Adelaide beat Melbourne City in extra-time in the first round of the finals, and Chianese says the Glory will be wary of their counter-attacking ways.

"We know Adelaide can be a very structured team,” he said.

"We know Kurz can have them tactically ready for any opponent. They’re always dangerous, they’ve got players who are quick and can be dangerous on the break. We definitely won't be taking them lightly.

"We’ll be ready though, I guess the boss here has had us ready for every game. Everyone knows their role here, knows their job and we know the opposition inside and out. We know it won't be easy but at home we should take advantage, especially early if we can.”