@ Mr. B

C'mon, full season membership!

You know you want to.

😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

Tempting, just for Skapetis and Bautheac alone, still plenty of time to decide :)

Brisbane Roar defender Fahid Ben Khalfallah says he expects new signing Eric Bautheac will be a ‘top player’ in the A-League

MARCO MONTEVERDE, @marcothejourno, The Courier-Mail
September 11, 2017 8:00pm

FAHID Ben Khalfallah has tipped his new Brisbane Roar teammate Eric Bautheac to dominate the A-League.

Bautheac arrives in Brisbane arrives this week, with Ben Khalfallah saying the Roar were “very lucky” to have snared the winger from French top-flight club Lille.

“The club did a great job to get him,” said Ben Khalfallah, who played against Bautheac in France.

“He’s a really good player. His left foot is unbelievable, he works hard for the team and technically he’s going to be a top player in this league.

“I didn’t expect him to come here because he has just turned 30, was playing first division in France at a big club … he’s at his peak, so that’s perfect.

“He’s very happy and he’s coming here to win.”

Ben Khalfallah, who helped convince Bautheac to join the Roar, said Brisbane’s latest recruit would thrive in being expected to deliver each week in the A-League.

“Eric’s going to be one of the best players here ¬ I’m 100 per cent sure,” he said.

“My expectations are very high with him. I’m going to put him under pressure. That’s normal for him. He’s not scared about that.”

And neither is Ben Khalfallah in terms of his own contribution in his debut season at the Roar after helping Melbourne Victory to an A-League championship and an FFA Cup in his first three years in Australia.

That’s despite a calf injury having so far prevented him from donning the Brisbane jersey during the club’s FFA Cup/pre-season campaign.

“It’s a little frustrating not having been able to play yet, but it’s pre-season and we still have almost a month before the season starts,” said the former Tunisia international, who is unlikely to play in the Roar’s away trial against Sydney FC on Saturday.

“Physically I feel good … obviously now I need some games but I’ll be fine. I can’t wait to play.

“I love it here. There are really good people around, especially the staff and the players. The atmosphere is amazing, and we have a really good team.”

Well, maybe Ben Khalfallah has earned his keep in bringing in Bautheac to the club. I'm still underwhelmed by Khalfallah's signing in and of itself. I hope he proves me wrong, though.

@ foitballkingz

If he came in cheap and brought French Eric then job done - then it depends which Ben we get, looks and sounds motivated though.

CONFIRMED: Logan Lightning and Brisbane Roar join forces

Brisbane Roar are delighted to announce that another key Academy partnership has been agreed with Logan Lightning FC, as the club’s new training base edges closer to completion.

The Academy partnership agreement with Lightning FC will further strengthen the Roar's presence in Logan City and surrounding areas which will benefit junior footballers in the local community.

Continuing the close bond formed with the region, Brisbane plan to relocate into its state of the art training facility in Logan in early 2018.

Managing Director Mark Kingsman says he is delighted to secure an Academy partnership so close to the Roar’s new training base that will provide young upcoming footballers in the area another development pathway.
“This partnership is great news for the local community and we believe that through continued hard work, these programs will help develop future (Hyundai) A-League stars," Mark Kingsman said.

“We are excited about the strong relationship we have created within Logan City and can't wait for our new training complex to be completed."

The area between South Brisbane and the North Gold Coast will be covered strategically when the Academy Preparation Centre in Logan for kids aged between 5-12 years is developed.

Through this, Brisbane Roar will be able to help provide guidance for youngsters to start a professional career in football, as well as ensuring high-quality player development in Queensland.

With Academy partnership’s already agreed with a number of Queensland clubs, Brisbane Roar Academy Director Drew Sherman is pleased to see a further option for training and player improvement across the State become available.

“Our goal has always been to have Academy Preparation Centers across the whole of Queensland. The partnership with Logan Lightning FC is another step in that direction," Sherman said.

“We are pleased that more young footballers will have access to high-quality coaching in a professional environment."

As the only Queensland club in the Hyundai A-League, the Roar are thrilled to see further progression and another step forward in the club’s long-term plan of providing opportunity and progression for young footballers in the State.

Read more at http://www.brisbaneroar.com.au/article/confirmed-logan-lightning-and-brisbane-roar-join-forces/173kr8qjo153b1ahl60ht7dsmw#yCSuT6iff1jKc6eS.99

No Ben Khalfallah, Avraam Papadopoulos, Bowles, Thomas Kristensen or Brett Holman, although Gameiro got a 20 minute run out today v SFC. Eric Bautheac, supposedly arriving from France today. A bit worrying that Avraam remains unfit

And next month is the start of the season, great!

Poor preparation from a professional club as is the case with some others.

@ paulc

Avraam is the only one I'm worried about - he's key to our defence. New Eric's visa will be through soon if it isn't already and he's had a full preseason and some game time.

FBK just looks wrong when a new signing is injured from day 1, but it's possible he picked up the injury after he arrived. And Bowles looks to be on track for a R5 return if not sooner.

Battling for the wooden spoon. But that would lead to JA's dismissal.

Silver lining for this season I think.

Ricky on the move again, now signed in Iran - that's 4 clubs since leaving Roar poor kid.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1507201466001216&id=195917013796341

Some players look good when they play in the Roar system. Too many leave and don't get ahead eg Erik Paartalu (struggled in Korea, Qatar and last I heard India).

Avraam, Kalfhallah and Daniel Bowles came through full training today Holman was on light training but should be back later this week. No news on Kristensen though

Not the worlds best footage but the goals from the SFC game are here:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1508019009252795&id=195917013796341

There's a fan forum on after the Open Training Session at Suncorp on the 29th - 'The Coaches Call' with John and Mel. Open to everyone (including none members) but you will need tickets:

https://m.facebook.com/events/128867874510734/

Surely Eric must be close to arriving here?

Been nearly two weeks since we announced the signing. Hope something hasn't happened and it's just VISA issues

@ BRFC92

The delay was caused by a delay in the return of his passport in France. No news of when he gets here thin

Wellsmore, Duncan and Milner selected for the Kiwi U17 World Cup squad later this year. Didn't realise we had so many kiwis on the books:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155639691028536&id=78390538535

We have taken over from Hellbourne as the Exiles Capital Of New Zealand

@ footballkingz

True. Reds attendance would be dreadful if it wasn't for thousands of kiwis rocking up to games lol

Are you implying if we become a quasi-NZ team, we can raise our home attendance? (Yes, I know the difference between fans of HAL and Super Rugby)

@ hames

No. Unfortunately when Nix come to town we get the same number of away supporters as for mariners ... only shirtless.

Fahid Ben Khalfallah returns as Massimo Maccarone stars in internal Brisbane Roar trial

Marco Monteverde, The Courier-Mail
September 22, 2017 4:08pm

FAHID Ben Khalfallah made his first pre-season appearance as marquee man Massimo Maccarone ran rampant in an internal Brisbane Roar trial on Friday.

Veteran striker Maccarone scored five goals for the Roar first XI in their 8-1 demolition of a team made up largely of Brisbane’s second-string and youth players at Ballymore.

With the season starting in less than a fortnight, it was a much-needed hitout for ex-Melbourne Victory star Ben Khalfallah, who had not featured at all in Brisbane’s FFA Cup/pre-season campaign due to calf and hamstring problems.

The versatile attacking weapon got 45 minutes under his belt, and will enjoy more time when the Roar have another internal trial next Friday at Suncorp Stadium.

“Fahid’s a very intelligent player and even though he hasn’t been playing, you could see he was understanding of the way we want to play,” Roar coach John Aloisi said.

But while Ben Khalfallah finally got on the park, key defender Avraam Papadopoulos is still yet to taste any pre-season action after again being kept in cotton wool.

Others who didn’t play yesterday were midfielders Brett Holman and Thomas Kristensen, who are continuing their recoveries from respective calf and hamstring injuries, and attacker Corey Gameiro.

Aloisi said Gameiro ¬ who made his comeback from a third knee reconstruction in the Roar’s 2-0 trial win over Sydney FC last weekend ¬ had felt tight in his hamstring during the week.

“We’ve just got be careful with Corey,” the Roar coach said.

The Roar are still awaiting the arrival of latest signing, Eric Bautheac, from France.

With the visa process now in the hands of Australian authorities, Aloisi was hopeful the former Lille winger would arrive in Brisbane early next week.

The Roar open the A-League season on October 6 against Melbourne City at AAMI Park.

Little worried about papa, Holman, fkb and kristensen lack of time in preseason games. With gamerio still looks like he made of glass and the French bloke still yet to arrive we are looking a bit thin.

Any known reason why Avraam isn't playing? Thought he was fantastic last year and would be sad not to be able to watch him much this season.

@ lolitsbigmic

Well, we're out of time now. Whatever's wrong with Avraam he's not going to be match fit, same with new Frenchman but he'll probably make the bench. Gameiro I'm guessing our already cautious medical department is going to be super cautious. Holman is just a strain, so should be back. It's bloody frustrating that 2 new signings are injured from the get-go though

Apparently Kai Trewin from the CoE is close to signing with Roar - http://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/act-sport/canberra-united-coaches-want-to-produce-aleague-talent-in-national-youth-league-20170921-gym4gp.html.  Any word on other youth getting contracts? Know that Roar trialled a lot of COE boys. Are Rahmat Akbari and Aaron Reardon signed to scholarships? Akbari has featured pretty heavily in pre-season I believe so wouldn't be surprised if he is. 

@ zugzwang

No idea. But Akbari has played and impressed a fair bit preseason so expect to see him sign and play I recon

More evidence for me to consolidate my opinion that Roar will end up mid table this season

@ Paulc

If Roar struggle this year it will be because of one thing - the back 3. Aloisi is stubborn and will likely stick with it longer than he should if it's not working

The squad has real depth, more than it's getting credit for. The front three is so strong I don't see kalfhallah starting, Holman would be missed but Skapetis/Maccarone are on fire.

At the back Avraam would be missed but North or Bowles are adequate replacements.

Thank god we're nearly there though - in a month or so we'll be 2-3 rounds in and have some idea how it's working out for all teams. Certainly long overdue, I hate the length of the off season (we really should start the first weekend in September imo)