Perth defender Rhys Williams was probably destined to play under Kenny Lowe before he was even born.Thirty years ago in 1986, Lowe struck up a friendship with Williams parents during a stint playing for Spearwood in Perth.He and his father partnered in midfield, hitting it off to the point that the Glory coach even stayed with the couple before continuing his career in his native England.Unbeknown to them at the time, that relationship would later help their talented son take his own blossoming career overseas and, after a tough decade at Middlesbrough, entice him home to rediscover himself in the A-League.I spent a bit of time with Rhys dad and mum before he was born, Lowe told AAP.That was the connection when Rhys was going over to Europe.Lowe got Williams his trial at Middlesbrough through their academy manager Dave Parnaby, who quickly signed up the teenage defender.The English Premier League was the ultimate goal and it seemed destined to become a reality once the Socceroos came calling.That was until two achilles ruptures kept him sidelined for two years and ruled him out of the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Asian Cup.Throughout the ordeal Lowe, then assistant coach at Glory, made annual visits home.Each time gently try to entice Williams into making an A-League move.Friends of mine coach at the club so Id go in and Rhys would be around, Lowe said.Each time I bumped into him I said if youre ever fed up you can always come back. Your mum will look forward to you coming home. I just sold it that way.Last year, Lowe could tell hed had enough.As Williams himself put it, the second achilles injury put the dagger in and thoughts of premature retirement had crossed his mind.Then, a few games into his comeback for the under-21s in March he fractured his cheekbone.To top it off, Middlesbrough decided not to extend his contract just after their promotion to the competition hed dreamt about most - the Premier League.He made the decision to reignite his career in Perth, where he could bring up his son closer to his family.Perth play Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Friday night. Matthew Dellavedova Cavaliers Jersey .com) - The Montreal Canadiens will try to halt their longest losing streak of the season when they host the struggling New York Islanders in tonights clash at the Bell Centre. Tyrone Hill Jersey . Three came down to the fourth quarter while quarterbacks continued to shine in all four games; so important to the overall quality of the game. https://www.thecavalierslockerroom.com/Lebron-James-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Perhaps Carroll was so prepared for a break because he believes there is very little the Seattle Seahawks need heading into the off-season. "I dont see anything that we need to add. We just have to get better," Carroll said. Tristan Thompson Cavaliers Jersey .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. John Henson Jersey . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. NEW YORK -- The WNBA is back in full swing after the monthlong Olympic break and if the opening weekend was any indication, its going to be an exciting final few weeks.Los Angeles looked to be the team in the best position to maintain its momentum and continuity coming out of the break with only one Olympian on the roster. Yet the Sparks have struggled, dropping their first two games. They fell out of first in The Associated Press WNBA power poll for the first time since Week 6.Minnesota moved into the top spot, but also suffered a loss falling to Connecticut.There are now only three games separating the fourth and 10th spots in the playoff chase, making every game meaningful.---POWER POLL: Minnesota moved back to No. 1 and Chicago climbed to fourth in the AP power poll. A look at this weeks WNBA poll:1. Minnesota (22-5): Coach Cheryl Reeve would like to clinch one of the top two spots so she can get some rest for her four Olympians.2. Los Angeles (21-5): Schedule isnt kind to Sparks down the stretch. Signing Sandrine Gruda will help bolster the roster.3. New York (19-8): Getting Epiphanny Prince back from her ACL injury will make the Liberty more potent offensively.4. Chicago (13-13): Not even the break could slow down the Sky, who are back at .500 and climbing.5. Atlanta (14-13): Nows the time that the Dream usually make their playoff push.6. Phoenix (12-14): The Mercury are finally looking like the team that was predicted to win the WNBA crown this season.7. Indiana (12-13): The Fever have a bad taste in their mouth after a blowout loss to Washington. Itching to get back on the court.8. Seattle (10-16): The Storm split with the top two teams when they returned from Rio aand now look to build on an easier schedule.dddddddddddd9. Connecticut (9-17): The Sun are one of the hottest teams in the league and have a chance to further try and improve their playoff chances this week.10. Washington (10-16): The Mystics looked great against Indiana before falling to San Antonio. They also lost guard Bria Hartley for the season after she got pregnant.11. Dallas (9-18): The Wings slump continued as they have lost eight straight games. Their chances of making the postseason are fading.12. San Antonio (6-19): The Stars won a game, but are still languishing at the bottom of the standings.---PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Elena Delle Donne had a strong week averaging 26 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3 assists to help the Sky win both their games. Others receiving votes included: Atlantas Angel McCoughtry, Phoenixs Diana Taurasi and Minnesotas Lindsay Whalen,---GAME OF THE WEEK: Phoenix Mercury at New York Liberty, Saturday, Sept. 3. The Mercury will try and continue their rise in the standings as they visit the Liberty.---THE SHOES ON THE OTHER FOOT: Brittney Griner, in partnership with the Mercury and the Phoenix Rescue Mission collected nearly 500 pairs of shoes over the weekend for the Valleys homeless.I am so thankful and overwhelmed by everyones support, said Griner. The generosity from my teammates and the X-Factor is amazing. When I thought of this idea, I never would have dreamed we would have received so many pairs of shoes. This is just one of the many reasons the Mercury family, especially our fans, are known as the best in the WNBA. ' ' '
