Perth Glory captain Natasha Rigby is full of optimism for what lies ahead this A-League Women season, with a dream finals berth and perhaps even some silverware not out of the question.

Glory failed to snare a single win last season in their worst ever campaign, finishing with one draw and 11 losses on the way to the wooden spoon.

That campaign was doomed from the start, with the COVID-19 situation forcing Glory to recruit a youth-laden squad under new coach Alex Epakis.

The lead-in has been much smoother this time around, with Epakis able to mould a squad that has a nice mix of youth and experience.

The late addition of former Matildas star Lisa De Vanna has added further firepower.

And while Rigby's "win it baby" response to what the team's goals are this year was partly tongue in cheek, she has confidence Glory can achieve a finals finish.

"Absolutely," she said.

"I think with the squad that we've got and the last few to come in, we'll definitely be in contention.

"Particularly the girls that were here last season, there's definitely an amazing hunger and spark within all of us."

Glory's campaign begins in Perth on Saturday night against Brisbane Roar, who finished second last season but have since embarked on a major rebuild.

Golden Boot winner Emily Gielnik, Tameka Yallop, Olivia Chance, Clare Polkinghorne, and Kim Carroll are among the big names to exit Brisbane.

The Roar also have a new coach in the form of Garrath McPherson, who replaces Jake Goodship.

"Terrified. Excited. Nervous," McPherson said of his emotions ahead of his first ALW match as head coach.

"It's football. I love football and at the end of the day if you're not nervous about something, it might not matter as much.

"It helps us prepare, it helps us observe everything that's going on."

Roar vice-captain Katrina Gorry, who announced her return to the team in October following the birth of her baby girl Harper in August, is no guarantee to play against Glory.

Perth will be without American import Cyera Hintzen (quarantine) and versatile forward Demi Koulizakis, who is set to miss up to two more months with a knee injury.

Australian Associated Press