When Alex Epakis took charge of Perth Glory’s women’s side last season he knew he had a big task ahead.

Quite how big it was came as a shock.

Almost the entire squad had already been signed before he took charge, he had just a couple of weeks to get them ready and they went winless in the tough COVID-battered campaign.

But before the season ended Epakis was already on a recruiting mission.

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“Some of last year’s results and dark moments are very clear in my mind. They are certainly a motivating factor,” Epakis said.

“I had a clear idea of where we needed to improve. I had a shortlist of players.”

Epakis has assembled a new-look squad with a balance of youth and experience from overseas and interstate, coupled with local talent, ahead of Saturday’s season kick-off against Brisbane Roar at Macedonia Park, Balcatta.

“We needed good players but also ones that have a certain level of character, certain values, certain personalities and a level of resilience because of what COVID could bring again.

“We built momentum with early signings. That was a key part of the strategy.

“I knew other players would look at us and say they wanted to be part of what we were building.”

Glory have made a radical change off-field, signing several players on multi-year deals, a rarity in the Australian women’s game.

“We needed to make fundamental changes and think outside the box,” Epakis said.

“The W-League has been a circus, every year players moving club to club.

“We want to invest in a nucleus of players coming from national teams at youth level for two, three, four seasons, to build a foundation for success.

“We have created a bit of buzz around the competition.”

Epakis said the club has created a good environment for young players leaving home and moving interstate for the first time.

“I admire and respect what they’ve done, the decisions they’ve have made at such a young age, but I knew they had the character to do it,” he said.

“They were waiting for opportunities, to get out of their comfort zone and embrace the challenge.

“A lot of these girls are 17, 18 but they are serious about their development.”

Epakis is quietly confident of a successful season.

“I’ve got a very clear picture of where I believe Perth Glory can be,” he said.

“I don’t want to put a ceiling on what we can achieve this year.

“We’ll certainly surprise a few people. We won’t surprise ourselves.”