BEST

Bridesmaids no longer!

While many will claim that Perth were one of the lucky ones, an NSL club that was given an A-League licence and allowed to continue their proud history across a new generation of Australian football, it can't have been easy for the Glory faithful.

From perennial NSL challengers and a club that had finished in the top three for the previous six years (winning three NSL titles between 1999 and 2004) to seeming perennial strugglers, at times, the sleeping giant looked like it was in a bit more of a coma.

Enter, Tony Popovic.

The squad that Popa has been able to accumulate (thanks to Tony Sage) this season is one of the finest in A-League history.

It showcases the very best in marquee acquisitions (Diego Castro is simply beautiful to watch), the bees knees of former Socceroos (case in point below) and a few of the league's finest up-and-comers (Chris Ikonomidis, anyone?).

It's a squad that clearly deserve the A-League Premiership. But deserve though they might, they still can't hold a candle to the patient Perth fans.

Oh my O'Donovan

Roy O'Donovan had one of his finest performances this season against the Glory, with most of the Irishman's finest work occurring in the opening 15 minutes.

First he had a goal-of-the-season contender denied by the crossbar, blasting a Tim Cahill-esque half volley from 30 yards over Liam Reddy, but just over the goalmouth. Then, moments later, he had a goal disallowed for offside. 

He also offered some choice bursting runs, proving that while the luck of the Irish isn't always on his side, age is certainly just a number.

100 of the best for Ivan

Ivan Franjic is only one of many Perth stalwarts with a stunning pedigree, whose experience has been key to Perth's success this season, but to see the ex-Socceroo score the opener was a fitting way to secure the Premiership.

He's been an underrated part of the Glory set up this season, overshadowed defensively by the phenomenal fullback work of Jason Davidson while the Glory attacking lineup deserve all the attention they can muster.

But Franjic has been a quiet achiever and leader within the dressing room and now, he's popped up when it matters most.  

Reddy sure is ready

It's impossible to believe that after seven A-League clubs Liam Reddy still hadn't had an honour next to his name before tonight. Well, it's been a long time coming for the journeyman 37-year-old who began his career all the way back at the birth of the milennia with Paramatta Power.

But good things sure do come to those who wait, and it's hard to pick an A-League stalwart who deserves it more after his sensational ability to come back each season just as strong as the last (and this year, so, so much stronger). 

WORST

Unfortunate timing

'Tis a little bit of a shame, without trying to rain on a very proud parade, that the 17,000+ that packed HBF Park against Melbourne Victory couldn't be there to see the Glory finally become glorious.

Sure they lost 2-0, very unfortunate timing for a squad that hasn't lost an away game all season, but their performances this season deserved a full house tonight. 

11,000, while surely encapsulating the rusted on supporters there from the very beginning in 1995, is a little short of the mark. Nonetheless, the 'You're sh**, ahhhh' chants rung just as loud as they ever have. At least there's that.

Flag-waving goal deniers

It's hard to think of a game in recent memory that featured so many offside calls, not to mention actual disallowed goals. 

Add a ridiculous total of shots off the crossbar and you've reduced what should have been a 4-3 Premiership-winning epic to a miserly 1-0 tactical battle. 

But while those that were there will know what truly happened, it's just as likely that success-starved Perth fans won't care a bit.