A-League Men: Perth Glory defender Andriano Lebib leaning on Tomi Mrcela, as David Williams injury confirmed

Emerging Perth Glory centre-back and academy graduate Andriano Lebib is eager to help fix his side’s leaky defence — and he believes new signing Tomi Mrcela is a vital part of the puzzle. Lebib looks likely to earn his third start in a row in the heart of defence against Western United at HBF Park on Friday night as Perth seek just a second win of the A-League Men’s season. However, the club have been dealt sad news, with confirmation veteran striker and fan favourite David Williams tore his ACL in their defeat to Macarthur last weekend while they also announced academy product Luke Bodnar will be departing the club. The absence of Williams is a hammer blow given he was responsible for one of the club’s five goals this season, and with the 36-year-old out of contract, it could be the last time he steps foot on the pitch in a professional environment. Perth will once more be under pressure to rectify their form, having won just one of their opening 10 matches this season and failed to take a point at home. The Glory have only ever beaten the visitors twice and drawn once in 13 attempts, which included a 3-1 loss earlier this season. Lebib was part of the Glory side who were thumped 6-1 by Macarthur on the opening day of the season, setting the stage for a miserable campaign which has seen them lose seven times and ship an astounding 27 goals. But after not featuring in the following seven matches, the 18-year-old Lebib has fought his way back into the side and impressed against Brisbane Roar as Perth won their first game of the season and kept a clean sheet. Lebib admitted it was a challenge coming into an under-fire team, but was embracing the opportunity. Having started the past two games alongside veteran defender Mrcela, who rejoined the club having initially helped them win the premier’s plate in 2019, Lebib praised the 34-year-old for his guidance and leadership over the past two games. “Those defeats did hurt a bit, but obviously I can’t dwell on it. I’ve got to focus on the future and what I can do,” Lebib said. “I’ve just been working hard and trying to forget about that, and keep pushing. “Tomi coming in and helping me out, it’s good to have someone with that kind of experience. The young boys, especially myself, I’m needing that experience next to me to thrive. “He’s always communicating with me; even after the game, he comes and talks to me and says ‘you can do this better.’ “Not even football, just hanging around, he’s there to help me and talk.” Meanwhile, the Glory have announced the departure of Bodnar via mutual termination, with the out-of-favour utility set to accept an offer overseas. The 24-year-old first joined Glory as a teenager and graduated from the club’s academy before making his senior debut in the 2020 AFC Champions League campaign. He made 45 A-League appearances for the club, 29 of which were starts, but played just seven games across the past two seasons. “This represents a good outcome for both Luke and the club,” Glory football director Stan Lazaridis said. “Luke has not been getting the game-time that he needs and wants at this stage of his career and that situation was unlikely to change, especially with new players set to be added to the squad in January.”