ROAR REVIEW – ROUND 23

Round 23 sees Brisbane play the second in a tough run of four games through the month of March with a home clash against Melbourne Victory on Saturday.

The two enter the clash on the back of much needed wins with Brisbane getting a first win in a month after a later comeback against Western Sydney last week, while the Victory won in the league for the first time since January on the Central Coast.

Despite having to claw the result back in the final 10 minutes last week, Brisbane started extremely quickly with a high pressure, up tempo style of game which saw them gain the upper hand over the Wanderers.

Brisbane were in control of the game, but a couple of defensive blunders from Shane Stefanutto and Michael Theo let the visitors back into the game, forcing the Roar to dig deep. Eliminating those types of mistakes will be crucial for the Roar to finish in the top two and progress through the finals.

Last week he made some bold choices at the selection table by leaving out Broich, so it will be interesting to see what he decides to do this week. It’s almost a must win game for the Roar though if they’re to finish in the top two.

Melbourne meanwhile arrive in the midst of a hectic travel schedule due to their participation in the Champions League, and while they’ve been afforded the rare luxury of a six day break between games this week, it’s set to ramp up again this week with 3 games in 8 days.

In the league, Victory have been solid if unspectacular of late, with the win over the Mariners last Sunday their first since beating Sydney on Australia Day. Despite that Victory are still destined to be in the finals and loom as a dangerous side in the bottom half of the draw.

When these two sides met in round 15, Victory pounced on a sloppy Roar start to score twice in the opening 10 minutes, essentially wrapping up the game against a sloppy and shocked Roar side. Since that 4-0 result, both sides have struggled in terms of results, however it’s the Victory who’ve looked the better side since then for the most part.

Brisbane, who went to Melbourne top of the league at the time, looked to be spooked by the fast starting Victory and went on a run which saw them win just twice in 7 rounds since then, conceding 20 goals in that time before last weeks win over the Wanderers.

Rebounding from that and getting a result tomorrow will go a long way to finishing in the top two, with Brisbane entering the weekend equal on points with the Wanderers and just a point behind Adelaide.

Victory meanwhile sit 5^th, 5 points behind the Roar and a win could put them position for a late run at the top two. A loss however could see 7^th placed Sydney draw level with them, so Victory could yet go either way this year.

Bowles re-signs

Daniel Bowles is the latest Roar player to commit his future to the club, penning a new two year contract with the Roar.

Bowles, 24, has been an important part of the side this season, chipping in with five goals from 14 appearances this season while providing solidity and continuity down at the back.

Brisbane’s roster has undergone a bit of change recently with Bowles becoming the 4^th player to re-sign in the last few weeks, joining Brandon Borrello, Jack Hingert and Jamie Young recommitting themselves to the Roar. Add in the return of Tommy Oar and the acquisition of youngster Joe Caletti and that’s six players added to next seasons squad.

The list of players out of contract is still extensive with Jade North, James Donachie, Shane Stefanutto, Steven Lustica, Javier Hervas, Devante Clut, Henrique and Jean Carlos Solórzano all out of contract come the end of the season.

Brisbane Roar squad for 2016-17 as at 11/03/2016

Goalkeepers: Michael Theo, Jamie Young.
Defenders: Daniel Bowles, Corey Brown, Luke DeVere, Jack Hingert, Jerome Polenz (fgn).
Midfielders: Thomas Broich (fgn) (marquee), Joe Caletti (FT NYL), Corona (fgn), Matt McKay (marquee), Tommy Oar, Dimitri Petratos.
Forwards: Shannon Brady, Brandon Borrello, Jamie Maclaren.

Broich’s 150^th

This week marks Thomas Broich’s 150^th A-League appearance for Brisbane Roar, with the German maestro admitting that while the end of his career is closing in, he’s chasing more silverware before it arrives.

Broich becomes just the third Brisbane player to make 150 appearances in the league, following foundation duo Matt McKay and Massimo Murdocca in reaching the tally.

Since arriving in Brisbane Broich has won three Championships, two Premierships, two Johnny Warren Medals, one Joe Marston Medal and three Gary Wilkins Medals.

NPL

Last week Brisbane suffered their first loss of the new season, going down 3-1 to defending champions Moreton Bay on Saturday evening. Goals from Jordan Farina, Scott Stewart and Alex Janovsky cancelled out Joseph Champness’ goal for the Roar.

This week the Roar host SWQ Thunder down in Redlands on Sunday evening.

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