Dean Heffernan among four players released by Perth Glory Perth Glory veteran Dean Heffernan has been released by the club. PERTH Glory has dumped veteran utility Dean Heffernan less than a fortnight after his starring role helped the club qualify for the A-League finals. Glory has announced the axing of Heffernan, midfielders Nick Ward and Evan Berger and back-up goalkeeper Lewis Italiano. Playing as a makeshift striker in the absence of Shane Smeltz, Heffernan was influential in Glory's 1-1 draw with Adelaide United in the final regular season match, before coming off the bench in the elimination final loss to Melbourne Victory. The futures of out-of-contract players Liam Miller, Steven McGarry, Ryo Nagai and Matias Cordoba are still up in the air. Glory coach Alistair Edwards said it was a tough decision to let Heffernan, Ward, Berger and Italiano go. "All four players are quality people and good professionals," Edwards said. Unfortunately though, we need to make the necessary changes as we continue to implement our long term plan.