You're ever so optimistic Waz. Good onya!

Always am lol.

The main thing for me is JA has had everything he needs - he's got rid of players he doesn't want, he's got to sign who he wants, he's got money for two expensive marquees that he chose, he got to sign players early. There's been no money issues or other back office distractions. He's added to his coaching staff with two new full time coaches with EPL experience. He's even had a decent training pitch and moves to a better one in January. Preseason has been perfect for him and his mantra has been everything is being done to prepare for october 6th so ...

There's no excuse this season - this year we find out how good JA is (or isn't lol).

Yep agree. What keeps puzzling me is why does Roar assemble a squad so late which IMO is why we flunk in the FFA Cup and poor preseason results.

I know some other clubs do the same but I'm just interested in Roar's ability or inability to be proactive and be one step ahead for once.

We where earlier than normal this season, only late signing was the french guy. Just seems to be lots of niggling injuries.

@ paulc

But the squad wasn't assembled late, it was assembled very early - there's only French Eric to arrive but most of the squad were in place for preseason day one for a change.

There's a special W League Fan Forum coming up:

https://m.facebook.com/events/487849401589450?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%223%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&aref=3

(9 free tickets out of a maximum 30 issued for that one)

Which is in addition to the General Fan Forum on Friday the 29th at Suncorp Stadium with John, Mel & Kingsman):

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155637624878536&id=78390538535

(108 free tickets issued for that one)

So I guess the question remains, why do we not have the ability to get on the front foot for once? Excuses year after year by the club are wearing thin.

@ Paulc

Yeah but, what excuses?

As far as I can tell Aloisi is very happy with the way preseason has gone, he's very confident about the new season, he's happy with his squad .. so who's making excuses?

The only blip I can see is the lack of a front of shirt sponsor but that's the same as SFC and at least one NRL club

Surely we are on the front foot this season?

I would consider lack of preseason wins and crashing out of FFA cups constantly are the major blips.
JA's being happy about it all is the mother of all blips.

Shows signs of lack of ambition by the club as well. I don't like it.

@ paulc

Well preseason is preseason and if you're going to judge a team on that it's misguided - Roar have played just about everyone this preseason and given regular starts to kids. Not to mention trying out a new 3421 formation.

I have the usual jitters of any fan ahead of the season but they're way less than usual. Apart from that friggin back three thing.

The ffa Cup is just bloody annoying I agree; I don't believe Roar treat it seriously and won't until they go deep into the competition or at least get knocked out going down all guns blazing.

But I think you're looking for problems that aren't there - Aloisi is on the front foot and has no excuses ... the only question now is he and the squad he's assembled good enough?

IMO the squad is not good enough and not well prepared enough. Time will tell but we seem to get there at the end irrespective.

Well we'll soon see paulc, there's no excuses this year for JA as he's got everything he needs. Good luck with your search in Sydney, with 4 sides you won't be short of football to watch anyway lol

I imagine our membership should be out soon. Anyone know the time frame?

@ lolitsbigmic

Already got my memberships - big improvement on last year the card is better the scarf is better (not that you need it in brisbane lol), and there's a neat little year book plus the usual fridge magnet.

Unless you opted to pay for postage the bags are available for collection from Ballymore, or on Friday night at the members training session plus a couple of other future events. Or you can pick them up on match day at the stadium (I did that last year and it was easy as)

This is why the idea of a Sydney team as first expansion should be discounted. Melbourne and Brisbane are the way to go. Give us Queenslanders something to cheer about for a change!

@ footballkingz

You'd think right - having a team in Ipswich, The Gold Coast and two in the city would be perfect.

But I think Sydney south will get in based on Fox

The only bid worth a damn is Brisbane City and I hope they're in next expansion.

All the other bids are worthless.

ACADEMY NEWS: Grange Thistle becomes Roar's North Brisbane partner

Monday, 25 September 2017 -
@brisbaneroar

Brisbane Roar are pleased to announce that an Academy partnership has been agreed with North Brisbane’s Grange Thistle Soccer Club.

The agreement will see the North Brisbane based side become the hub of junior development for future Roar Academy players in the northern end of the city.
This new deal will allow the Roar to help provide all juniors at Grange Thistle the best possible chance to get the highest quality coaching while maximising development possibilities.

Grange Thistle Soccer Club President Craig Buerckner says the club is delighted to partner with Brisbane's Hyundai A-League side and sees an opportunity for players in the area to improve and fulfil their potential.
“As one of the region’s oldest clubs, we are continually looking for ways to improve and to help develop our resources and our players, and partnering with Brisbane Roar helps us to do just that,” Buerckner said.
“There will be a focus on advancing and training volunteer parents, coaches and players to help them to reach their maximum potential in the sport through a series of education programs.

“This partnership helps to ensure that Grange Thistle Soccer Club can provide players on the north side of Brisbane with a pathway into a Development Player Program.”

With the North Brisbane based club not in the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Queensland (PS4NPLQLD) or the recently formed Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL), the Roar will assist their new partner to create an outstanding and affordable platform for children to develop with a heavy emphasis on junior football and community engagement.

With similar long-term ambitions and goals for junior football in Queensland, Brisbane Roar Academy Director Drew Sherman is looking forward to working closely with Grange Thistle Soccer Club to provide an inclusive environment for boys and girls to progress into future Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League stars.
"Working with a club that took the decision not to enter the FQPL or PS4NPLQLD allows us together to create a high-quality and affordable program for children to develop," Sherman said.

"This partnership is another positive step forward in our goal of helping as many young players across Queensland reach their footballing potential.
"We're really keen to develop a program that caters for both talented young boys and girls and give them access to our top teams."

Players in the Academy Preparation Centre will receive memberships to access Roar games and will be able to participate in a personalised program of fixtures against teams from clubs who are partnered with Brisbane in addition to their regular season games.

With partnerships already being agreed with a number of local clubs, Brisbane Roar looks forward to continually striving to do its part and assist young boys and girls in the footballing communities across Queensland.

Read more at http://www.brisbaneroar.com.au/article/academy-news-grange-thistle-becomes-roars-north-brisbane-partner/1bcqa7p1g0dmf1499o7x95o5oo#ISBr864yDeLMfsQl.99

With the new season just days away from beginning it’s time for our annual season preview where we take a look at the 2017-18 team. Today in part 1 we’ll look at how the off-season played out with plenty of changes to the playing group along with a mixed bag of results on the field.

Off-Field Stability

In recent years the off-season has been plagued with off field distractions however in 2017 things have been much smoother allowing for the focus to be on the field and the preparations for the new season.

There’s also been limited turnover with the arrival of Danny Tiatto as Football Operations Manager the only change over the closed season as coaching duo John and Ross Aloisi re-committed to the club. W-League head coach Mel Andreatta will also return for a second campaign when the new season starts in November.

Transfers Out

April 19th- Thomas Broich announces decision to leave
May 17th- Manuel Arana, Cameron Crestani, Joey Katebian & Nathan Konstandopoulos released
May 19th- Jamie Maclaren joins Darmstadt 08
May 27th- Brandon Borrello joins 1.FC Kaiserslautern
June 19th- Tommy Oar joins Apoel FC
June 26th- Kye Rowles departs Brisbane and joins Central Coast Mariners

Brisbane’s biggest name departures were known in advance when Thomas Broich flagged his intention to leave the Roar in the build-up to the Elimination Final against Western Sydney, while attacking duo Brandon Borrello and Jamie Maclaren confirmed their departures in the aftermath of the Matchday 6 Champions League loss to Ulsan Hyundai.

The June departure of Tommy Oar to Cypriot champions Apoel FC was more of a surprise, however the wingers departure did free up a valuable marquee position which would prove crucial in the recruitment efforts.

Re-Signings

June 22nd- Michael Theo and Avram Papadopoulos re-sign
June 30th- Jacob Pepper and Joe Caletti re-sign

As pre-season training drew closer, announcements surrounding the remaining out of contract players were made; firstly with the news that experienced first team duo Michael Theo and Avram Papadopoulos had re-signed for the 2017-18 season.

Following on from that was the news that breakout midfielder Joe Caletti had re-signed for a new season, with back-up utility Jacob Pepper set to join him for a second season in Brisbane.

Transfers In

May 26th- Fahid Ben Khalfallah joins Brisbane Roar
June 4th- Corey Gameiro joins Brisbane Roar
June 6th- Dane Ingham promoted from youth team
June 17th- Massimo Maccarone joins Brisbane Roar
August 4th- Mitchell Oxborrow joins Brisbane Roar
August 6th- Emilio Martinez joins Brisbane Roar as scholarship player
August 9th- Peter Skapetis joins Brisbane Roar, upgraded from injury replacement contract
September 9th- Erik Bautheac joins Brisbane Roar

Brisbane’s first signing for the new season was announced in late May as Fahid Ben Khalfallah joined Brisbane Roar on a one year deal, and he joined James for his first interview as a Roar player on the Brisbane Football Review podcast.

The signing of Ben Khalfallah was followed up by the arrival of former Wellington, Sydney and Melbourne City striker Corey Gameiro, and the promotion of young full-back Dane Ingham to a three year senior deal.

Brisbane’s biggest off-season move was confirmed on June 17 however when the club announced it had signed former Italian international Massimo Maccarone as a marquee player for the 2017-18 season to fill the boots of German bound striker Jamie Maclaren. While the signing of the 37 year old has been questioned by many, his experience in what is an otherwise youthful striking department should prove valuable over the season.

Attention then turned to rounding out the squad as midfield duo Mitchell Oxborrow and Emilio Martinez signed on to provide additional depth. Oxborrow arrived following a brief stint with NPL Northern NSW side Broadmeadow Magic after his departure from Perth Glory was confirmed, while Martinez signed as a scholarship player after impressing for the Young Roar in their NPL Queensland campaign after arriving from Western Sydney.

While Peter Skapetis was initially signed as an injury replacement for Daniel Bowles, his stellar pre-season form forced the hand of John Aloisi as the former Stoke City junior signed a permanent one year deal in early August.

Brisbane then rounded out their recruitment with a second high profile arrival from Europe in the form of 30 year old French winger Erik Bautheac from French Ligue 1 side Lille. While Bautheac’s arrival has been held up due to visa issues, the French winger figures to play a big part in Brisbane’s 2017-18 campaign and is reportedly set to arrive by the end of the week.

Pre-Season and FFA Cup Games

July 26th- Lions FC 0-2 Brisbane Roar
August 6th- Peninsula Power 2-4 Brisbane Roar
August 9th- (FFA Cup) Brisbane Roar 1-5 Melbourne Victory
August 18th- Western Sydney Wanderers 4-0 Brisbane Roar
August 27th- China u-22 XI 1-2 Brisbane Roar
September 1st- Melbourne Victory 3-1 Brisbane Roar
September 9th- Olympic 0-3 Brisbane Roar
September 16th- Sydney FC 0-2 Brisbane Roar

Pre-season games began at Lions Stadium in Richards as the Roar paid homage to their roots in the first edition of the Heritage shield, with second half goals from Shannon Brady and Rahmat Akbari giving John Aloisi side a first up win as they experimented with a new 3-4-3 formation.

Up next was another hit out against Brisbane Premier League opposition in the form of Peninsula Power and after Dean Briggs gave the hosts an early lead Peter Skapetis got the first of many goals over the pre-season to level the scores. Power took the lead again through Thomas Strickland with Brisbane cancelling out that advantage midway through the second half with a Nick D’Agostino strike. D’Agostino was then replaced as Massimo Maccarone made his first appearance in Roar colours and scored less than five minutes after entering the game after he sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot, before an expert second goal just before the final whistle rounded out the scoring.

Attentions then turned to the FFA Cup Round of 32 where the Brisbane were at home for the second straight year and once again they failed to capitalise on that advantage. Victory proved far to good on the night with a Besart Berisha brace, in addition to goals from Mitch Austin, James Troisi and Mark Milligan proving more than enough. Peter Skapetis continued his goalscoring form with a late consolation for the Roar.

Another big loss to an A-League side soon followed with Western Sydney running out 4-0 winners at the tail end of a week long camp on the Gold Coast, before Brisbane returned to Robina to take on a Chinese u-21 side and after a niggly encounter they ran out 2-1 winners thanks to a late Massimo Maccarone penalty.

A trip to Ballarat for a second pre-season clash against Victory followed just days later and despite the score being closer this time around, Melbourne were still too good for an undermanned Roar with Skapetis continuing his form in front of goal.

That form continued as the Roar returned to Brisbane to take on NPL Queensland side Olympic FC and that goal scoring form continued as Skapetis opened the scoring for Brisbane before late goals from Maccarone and Shannon Brady rounded out the win.

Brisbane’s final pre-season hit-out before round one took them to Sydney for a clash with the defending champions and further goals from Maccarone and Skapetis netted John Aloisi’ side a much needed win over A-League opposition ahead of the new season.



https://theroarreview.wordpress.com/2017/09/26/season-preview-part-1-off-season-recap/

Roar launched their first ever, standalone W League membership today - 5 double headers plus a stand alone for $130, kids $45, pretty good value 👍

This years 5th and 6th Fan Forums are on today and tomorrow. 6.30 today at Suncorp Stadium with John, Mel and Kingsman's and 1030 tomorrows (Saturday) at Ballymore with Mel.

Details: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1619913241407675&substory_index=0&id=1361064053959263

For anyone that can't make it but has a burning question they want to ask submit it to the Roar Review boys at:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1517928161595213&id=195917013796341

Live feed/recording on tonight's forum:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1620314711367528&id=1361064053959263

@Waz

How did the inter-club game go? Any suggestions as to what the team will look like next Friday night? Any word on the Frenchman?

@ mightyroar

The inter-club game: was ok, younger players played like they wanted a place, senior players like they had a place and didn't want to get injured.

Kalfhallah played really well, and Avraam looked like he was back to normal and put in some brutal challenges. Maccarone just looks a class finisher - the blokes got some nice touches/passes but it's his finishing that stood out, twice he was put through on goal and twice he had a quality finish (one was disallowed for an infringement mind).

The frenchmans visa - that was stuck in France for two weeks for reasons unknown and it's been with Australian immigration for a week now. No explanation as to why the delay.

Clues to the formation next week?

Theo didn't play yesterday but Theo over Young.

The back 4 picks itself - Hingert, DeVere, Avraam, Brown

DM is not going to be Kristensen and likely to be Mackay based on yesterday (later JA was asked who was the fittest player in the squad and said it was Matty who out-performed most players in the HAL even).

From then on it gets a bit murky - Maccarone is a shoe-in and should be on preseason form (11 goals in 7 games) , but who the remaining 4 will be probably depends on who is fit and what the best combos are. Holman didn't play but is close to returning.

I thought the young lads did pretty well yesterday , considering they copped a flogging last week , couple of interesting position changes yesterday in first half otoole played CB with brown at LB , maybe otoole been groomed to replace north as a left sided cb
Further up the park I thought Dagastino and Martinez looked decent and did give Devere and Hingeart a few problems in first half .
Caletti looked sluggish yesterday passing was off , FBK also looks like touch and go for next Friday .

@ Jonsnow

Agree on Dagastino and Martinez looks to be a real find - waiting for the catch as to why he was let go by his previous club lol??

Interesting to see who starts v city
Could be a few surprises

@ Jonsnow

Aloisi seemed very confident in the depth of the squad this season; he said he felt the squad lacked balance over the last two seasons but this year defence, midfield and attack had depth and competition in all areas.

He was very dismissive of the age question as well, seemingly a little irritated by it, said every player in the squad was there based on ability and restrictions the cap imposed.

Don't know about the midfield. Not enough engine power there any more.

@ paulc

Depends what you mean by engine power but I know what you mean, if there's an area in the squad that's weakest it's midfield with:

Joe Caletti, Brett Holman, Thomas Kristensen, Matt McKay(c), Mitchell Oxborrow, Jacob Pepper so with two injured we've got Mckay, Caletti and one from Oxborrow or Pepper? I'm not sure who'll line up instead of Kristensen on Friday and I think he's vital to Roars defence.

If anything we've got two many attackers this year lol.

Although he's being coy on the formation let's assume he sticks with 4231 then at the moment Fridays starting line up is probably:

Young;
Hingert, DeVere, Avraam, Briwn;
Mckay, Caletti;
Skapetis, Oxborrow, Kalfhallah;
Maccarone;

That assumes Theo, Kristensen, Holman and Bauthec are unavailable.