Brisbane player Kosta Barbarouses reacts after scoring a second half goal. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
Brisbane Roar’s achievements this season in the A-League have not received the recognition they deserve. Brisbane has passed every challenge thrown up them this year, and with style.
First of all, hats off to Ange Postecoglou for achieving one of the greatest feats of football coaching in the modern era.
Postecoglou has taken a team from second last to first in one season. With figures of 30 games played, 18 won, 11 drawn and one lost, with points totalling 65. This includes a 25-game unbeaten streak and a goal difference of plus 32.
These figures are the type often seen in Europe from teams such as Barcelona, Manchester United or Inter Milan. But the difference is that Postecoglou has achieved this on a shoestring budget, with no particularly high profile players.
While great coaches in Europe have great players to begin with, Postecoglou has taken decent, eager, professional players and transformed them into a great side.
Many believe his name is already engraved on the coach of the year award.
The Roar have also being strong in times when many other teams had faltered. Countless coaches and players from other clubs blamed scheduling for their poor performances during the year. Brisbane Roar certainly had their fair share of tough scheduling but came out trumps in almost all situations.
This was particularly evident in week 12 and 13 of the season. Brisbane played Sydney away and drew 1-1.
Then they were off to Wellington, winning 4-1.
Then, returning to Suncorp, they smashed Adelaide 4-0 in the battle of the top two. That week proved the team’s ability and professionalism. To claim seven from a possible nine points, in a week with 5000km of travel, is a pretty special achievement.
There have been countless other moments in the season which proved the worth quality of Brisbane, here are just a few:
1. Thumping Adelaide 4-0, week 13. As previously mentioned Brisbane came into this match off a hectic week of travel and matches. In the opening stages it looked like a very tight match with Adelaide defending very well. Then Reinaldo got the breakthrough four minutes before half-time.
But in the second half Brisbane went a man down as Reinaldo was sent off. Would Brisbane hold on for 40 minutes? How about those tired legs? The answer: Ange asked for an all out assault on the Adelaide goal, scoring three goals in 12 minutes. Simply stunning.
2. Roar vs Melbourne 3-3. A thoroughly entertaining match at AAMI Park on Friday 3rd of December. Brisbane leading 2-0, were looking very comfortable away from home.
Then Melbourne Victory stormed back into the contest with a sensational goal from Robbie Kruse, followed by a strike by Thompson and another from Kruse. The match was flipped on its head.
Most teams after leading so comfortably and letting it slip would have collapsed in a heap after going behind, but not Brisbane.
With seconds to go Michael Theoklitos claimed a ball near the edge of the box. Many claimed it was out of the box, no replays could offer a conclusive angle.
Theoklitos thumped the ball upfield, finding the noggin of Reinaldo, before McKay streaked away to net a dramatic equaliser.
It was Reinaldo’s final touch in Roar colours. Further proof of a relentless, mentally tough football side.
3. The floods. Brisbane lost their home ground right at the end of the season. This led many to question if the Roar would hang onto the lead at the top of the ladder, without their home fortress.
The Roar responded in style, with two wins at Skilled Park and another after a Fury match had to be rescheduled.
Upon their return to Suncorp, Brisbane were eager to put on a show for their adoring fans at Suncorp which included 5000 flood workers and victims.
Once again, they delivered when they needed to. With two goals showcasing their skilled shooting, and two displaying what they are famous for – delightful passing.
Sadly, despite this season of mind-blowing achievements, these actions weren’t considered good enough for The Courier Mail in Brisbane.
The morning after dismantling the Gold Coast 4-0 and holding the Premiership Plate aloft, it was a rugby league friendly match which dominated the sports news, with the Roar found several pages into the sports section.
It is a great shame that the media in Brisbane refuses to get behind a truly great sporting team.
Throughout the floods disaster there has often being talk about the Queensland spirit. The Courier Mail, however, is far from capturing such spirit. They need to have a long hard look at themselves if they are going to continue to ignore this fine bunch of Queensland heroes.
Well done to Brisbane Roar – the greatest team in Australian sporting history.
Nathan
Guest
I'd say yes, because they're sponsored by Coffee Club and I love those guys.
Evan Askew
Guest
Though I am aware that the VPL was the highest level of competition available to them at the time, it must be taken into account that the (a) it was only the vpl and they would't have played against Marconi, St George, Apia, Adealiade City Adealide Hellas or a host of ethnic based teams that hadn't yet being formed. (b) I'm guessing it was part time while the ROar have done what they did in a full time national competition. If Juventus are to be mentioned what about Brisbane CIty who I think won seven straight titles in Brisbane from 1970 to 1976 prior to joinng the NSL?
Griffo
Roar Guru
Actually, until recently, News Ltd had a 50% stake in the NRL. Any media company that owns a sport to that degree is going to support it with backpage news on the slightest sniffle with follow-up 10 pages in. Football will be that third child that has to work three-times as hard to get even the same attention and recognitiion as it's 'older' siblings. Eventually everyone will open their eyes and see the achievements of teams like the Roar, Socceroos, Matildas, but only after they have done something far greater than what they have done now.
David V.
Guest
Yada yada yada. League tables do not lie. Your bias is suffocating.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
I don't think anyone has ever claimed MVFC in 06/07 to be "great" in an absolute sense. Sure, we were very good - the best in Australia - in 06/07, but, quite frankly, man-for-man I consider our best 11 in 10/11 to be better than the best 11 in 06/07. If Brisbane has another good year, believe me, this season will be soon forgotten and the next 11 will be the superstars. Enjoy the moment; why worry about "best ever" badges that have no meaning, no substance and no relevance. PS: Brisbane drew more than 30% of it's games ... after 23 matches in La Liga, Barcelona has only drawn 2 and lost 1 .. for me, that's the sort of form that is required for GREATNESS!
Jack
Guest
Its foolish to suggest that Brisbane arent one of the greats because MV have "smashed 6 goals past them in 36 minutes"this year. One could argue MV 06/07 aint that great either cos the Jets smacked them 4-0 and also beat them at Etihad stadium that season. Hell when Ange coached South Melbourne they only lost 1 game at home over a 2 year period, and that defeat was 5-0! still one of the great teams though. When it comes to this season though and consistency, Brisbane a cut above the rest, made all the more impressive that it came over a 30 game schedule with plenty of midweek games.
Cat
Guest
Cheating is cheating. something Muscat needs to learn. Didn't he brake Henrique's arm in the 3 min of the game. Muscat then proceded to yell at Henrique without getting any card or punishment? This is not the only time he has done something like this, he does it every game. How many of the Victory players caused injury to other teams this season? That is the worst form of cheating in my opinion.
sydboz
Guest
The whole of the ball has to be inside the penalty area actually and the goalkeeper is the same as per any other player when he is outside the penalty box area, he was clearly outside but saying Brisbane Roar's streak is tainted is a joke as well.
dasilva
Roar Guru
To be fair Axelv/Fussball Even if the ball was over the line. It wasn't over the line by such a great margin that it would have been inconceivable for the goalkeeper to definitely know whether it was over the line or not and hence intentionally cheat. It could simply have been a case of the keeper misjudging the location of the ball rather than the keeper knew the ball was outside the box but grabbed it nevertheless. The comparison to Henry is a bit harsh.
Axelv
Guest
Brisbane Lions 2001-2004 (Triple Grand Final wins and a 4th Grand final runner up in 04) Essendon 2000 ( the single most dominating season ever?) Australian Cricket team 1998-2008 (world number 1 for approx 10 years including 2 massive winning streaks in Test Cricket, Had many greats to ever play the game) Guus's Socceroo's 2005-2006 (Broke 32 year drought, though it was lucky to qualify for the world cup (In place of Uruguay), it knocked out Japan, Croatia and lost controversially to eventual World Champions Italy, played every match with heart and style!) And this is only recent history that I have witnessed with my own eyes, Brisbane Roar is nothing to these Australian sporting team...yet!
Axelv
Guest
Michael Culina, your eyes deceive you as you are looking at a 2D image and have no depth perception. The whole ball was outside the box. Unfortunately you lost the debate and I suggest you find some footage if you cannot interpret a 2D image. :)
apaway
Guest
The Roar have done the unthinkable - they have converted a proud New South Welshman! Their 4-0 win over GCU last Saturday was the most thrilling football I've seen a side play at club level in this country. Sorry to fans of the other 5 sides in the final series, but I hope the Roar win it in front of a full house at Lang Park.
Rob McLean
Guest
Also, anyone heard the rumour that the Roar and GCU may merge? I have heard no evidence to back this up but it has been posted as a possibility on another forum I post on.
Rob McLean
Guest
Given that the headline to this article is 'Best team in Aussie sporting history', a fair argument could be mounted for New South Wales' Sheffield Shield team between 1946/47 and 1961/62 team to be considered. In that time the Blue Baggers won 12 titles and finished runner-up four times. From the 1953/54 season, NSW won nine straight titles. All of that in as national a competition as you could get at the time.
Ted Skinner
Guest
Don't blame the Courier-Mail for the prominence given to the RL game. The Free-to-Air ratings in South-East Queensland for that game was about a quarter of a million (& probably about a million Australia-wide). The Pay TV audience Australia-wide for the Roar game was less than 50,000. In fact it wasn't the most watched A-League for the week. http://assets.astra.org.au.s3.amazonaws.com/0cc3d03693227fe28351fc8f0a88a2c4/ASTRARatings20110206.pdf
Parkridge Panther
Guest
To answer the question posed, NO NO NO. Just to name one football club, the St George dragons who won 11 grand finals in a row. There are many other examples throughout Australain sport that surpass what the Roar have done. There is much work to be done before the Raor can be considered one of the great clubs in Australian sport.
gawa
Guest
This is precisely what sets this Brisbane team apart from the title winning Melbourne Victory teams (I can't comment on the NSL because I did not live here until 6 years ago). Brisbane unlike the great Brazil team of '82 have managed to be succesful by sticking to their pure football philosphy, albeit at a very different level There is no reasonable person can argue that even when Melbourne Victory won the A League several times that they played football in a style remotely comparable to Brisbane this season, they won plain and simply because they could afford to buy better players and fill their playing roster. Probably more importantly for the future of football in this country Brisbane have shown that it is possible to play football within the salary constraints that is attractive to watch. The first ever A League to do so in my opinion.
Australian Football
Guest
There is a short quick and simple answer to that and that is. NO!
NF
Guest
The CM treatment of the Roar has being disgraceful speaking from a rugby league's point of view as far as I'm concerned the Suncorp game should of being back page and overall football should be on the back page when the football season starts and when the league/afl season ends. I'm all for equity and equality for code coverage.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Wow, you guys just don't get it do you? The reason I am so upset, is the same reason I was so upset sitting in the stands of the Fritz-Walter Stadion when Grosso fell over - the timing of the incident meant there was no recourse available. In Kaiserslautern, Totti scored the penalty and the final whistle blew at the kick-off; exactly the same thing happened with the Brisbane goal. If Grosso had gone down in the 1st half, or even with 10 minutes to go I would have been upset but at least there was time to get back in the game. If Theo had handled in the 1st half or with 10 minutes to play, do you honestly think we'd care as much? Heck, we'd scored 3 goals in the space of 15 minutes - from 63' to 77' of the match - if we had another 5 minutes I have no doubt MVFC would have scored 1 ... perhaps, even 2 more goals.