Roar Review – Round 18
Round 17- Sydney away
After a disappointing three weeks, Brisbane bounced back into form on Saturday with a convincing 3-1 win over Sydney FC. Two goals from star striker Jamie Maclaren and a third from captain Matt McKay were enough to send the Roar back into the top two and end a three game unbeaten run.
The game, playing in torrential rain for the first 45, emphasised the importance of Olyroos trio James Donachie, Brandon Borrello and Jamie Maclaren on the side. Donachie, who made his first start for the side since mid-August in the FFA Cup was commanding in shoring up a backline which had conceded eight goals in the previous two weeks.
Upfront, Maclaren emphasised his importance by scoring Brisbane’s first goal in open play for some 308 minutes when he opened the scoring on Saturday night, a run which was only punctuated by a penalty last week from Henrique and runs back to when he was substitutes against Perth Glory in round 13.
For Sydney FC it was a continuation of a frustrating spell which has seen the Sky Blues incapable of breaking down opposition defences, with just 22 goals scored this season – 3rd worst in the league-. Graham Arnold will no doubt be hoping the impending return to fitness for Alex Brosque and the arrival of David Carney from Newcastle will be enough to get things to click in the final third ahead of a busy second half of the season.
Round 18- Central Coast
This week Brisbane return to Suncorp Stadium to take on the bottom placed but improving Central Coast Mariners side on Saturday evening.
Last week Central Coast defending gallantly for the first half away to Wellington Phoenix, before the injection of marquee Spaniard Luis Garcia early in the second half turned the game in the visitors favour with a goal and an assist just minutes after entering the field of play. The win was just Central Coasts third of a turbulent campaign but should see them travel north in a confident mood.
The game is the first of two consecutive home games for the Roar, and the start of a run which will see Brisbane play six of their last ten regular season games at Suncorp Stadium.
Transfer Recap
The January transfer window has now officially slammed shut across the A-League, and while clubs are still able to sign players who were free agents prior to the closing of the window, it’s unlikely any moves will be made.
For Brisbane, it was a quiet month with Joeys captain and FFA Centre of Excellence midfielder Joe Caletti the only new addition to John Aloisi’ side. The young holding midfielder arrives on a full-time youth contract and will seek to continue his development as an understudy to Corona.
Brisbane were also able to ward off any potential European interest in young attacker Brandon Borrello, however with the winger out of contract at seasons end there is still a chance he could try his luck abroad in the near future.
Contract talk
Finally this week there has been some movement on the 11 remaining Brisbane players who are set to become free agents at the end of the season. Fresh off of last weeks announcement that goalkeeper Jamie Young has recommitted for a further two seasons, a handful of the Roars young defenders look like doing the same.
James Donachie, Daniel Bowles and Jack Hingert all look set to put pen to paper in the coming days based on media reports this week, with the trio likely to recommit for a further two years. Bowles and Hingert have been mainstays in the side this season, while Donachie was initially thought to be under contract for a further 12 months, but a bungling of his contract ensured it was up this season.
All three appear set to remain in Brisbane for the foreseeable future however, which is great news for John Aloisi as he begins to reshape the side in his image. Brisbane still have eleven players out of contract at the end of the season a list which includes some key contributors.
The full list of out of contract players includes Jade North, Daniel Bowles, Shane Stefanutto, James Donachie, Jack Hingert, Javier Hervas, Steven Lustica, Devante Clut, Henrique, Brandon Borrello and Jean Carlos Solórzano.
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