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Opinion
After only losing three games from after Round 11, the Roar had a fantastic 2020 and will be looking to continue their form under new coach Warren Moon.
The Roar have retained a large core of of their 2019-20 squad adding a few new players, with the side hoping to take it up a notch from last season.
Goalkeepers
Former A-League goalkeeper of the year, Jamie Young continues his stint at the club entering his seventh season at the Roar.
The shot stopper has another solid season in 2019-20 keeping seven clean sheets. He will be looking to stay, and will most likely start as, the number one goalkeeper at the club. He will no doubt however face pressure, from young goalkeeper Macklin Freke who will be looking for a senior debut.
After winning the Youth League with the Roar’s youth side, Freke has a chance to break into the squad after being given a senior contract.
What kind of season will the Roar have? (Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Defenders
The Roar will continue to have then ever reliable Macaulay Gillesphey and captain Tom Alfred. The pair were instrumental in the side last year with the centre back duo playing a big part in the Roar conceding the second least amount of goals in the league with 28.
While they have full backs Jack Hingert and Corey Brown remaining at the club, who be looking to be the starting teams right and left backs. While youngsters Izak Powell, Jordan Courtney-Perkins and Kai Trewin will look be looking to continue their development with each of the young trio making appearances for the senior side last year.
While the Roar have signed experienced Lions FC left back Josh Brindell-South who will be looking to put pressure on fellow left back Corey Brown. Brindell-South played under coach Moon at Lions FC is Brisbane’s NPL, and in my view could be one to watch if he gets his chance.
The Roar may be looking to add one more experienced centre back in my view to provide depth and cover to Gillesphey and Aldred.
Midfielders
The Roar midfield will continue to be led by attacking midfielder and winger Jay O’Shea. The Irishmen provided seven assists last season and will be looking to add to that by adding more goals to his game after only scoring the one goal last season.
A class player and will need to be in form for the Roar to contend this year. While former Lions FC player Danny Kim joins the club permanently after five appearances last season after joining the Roar on loan. A defensive midfielder, Kim will be looking to make more appearances and make a name for himself as a starting Roar player. George Mells will me looking to break into the squad and make his debut for the Roar.
After being a fringe player for Adelaide United in their 2016 championship winning squad, the former Chelsea and Southampton youth player will be looking to break into the A-League, and show that potential he had at those English clubs.
Jesse Daley rejoins Brisbane after a stint with Seattle Sounders 2 and Tacoma Defiance in the USL Championship. Daley played over 70 games in the US second tier and will be looking to make his debut in Australia’s top flight.
While attacking youngster Rahmat Akbari will look to gain more time in senior football and add goals to his game which will no doubt give him some confidence.
(Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Japanese youngster Riku Danzaki joins the Roar and he’s a player I believe Roar fans should be excited about. He’s only played a handful of games in Japan’s top flight and in their cup competition but he looks like an exciting attack who can add a spark to the game.
While only 18, the youngster will be looking to show Roar fans what he’s made of. As a bonus for the Roar as well, he qualifies as an Asian player in the import 3 + 1 rule which allows clubs to use four imports in the AFC Champions League as long as one is from a AFC Member Nation, which will come handy when they start their ACL qualifying stage in January.
Attackers
For me, one of the surprises of last season was the excellent form, Scott McDonald had after joining the Roar. Scoring 6 goals in 14 appearances, he was a huge factor in the Roar’s push for finals last season. For Roar to be successful, he will need to be on his top game and continue to score goals.
Dylan Wenzell-Halls will be looking to become a mainstay in the team after making several appearances off the bench. A fantastic shooter and one whose not afraid to if he’s in range, he will be looking to become a start and score more goals next season.
Jai Ingham will be looking to add goals and game time in this up coming season, with the Kiwi having lots of potential, he needs to add scoring goals on a more consistent level to become a starting winger. While Joe Champness joins the club on loan from Newcastle.
JOWIC as he is known in the music scene has made a comeback to soccer after a year off. While we know what he is capable the question will be for him, whether this year off has impacted his ability and fitness.
In my view, the Roar just possibly need one traditional number 9 striker, to add extra depth and provide goals as combined last season, this list of attackers scored nine goals combined last year majority of those from McDonald (7 goals all up including his one for Western United.
Verdict
Another group with experience and exciting youngsters. The Roar will be looking to add a couple of names with only 20 names on their list.
A couple of extra experienced names will see this side potentially looking to continue their solid form in the backend of last year. They will be wanting to not have a slow start as they did last season which hampered them from finishing higher.
Their depth will be tested if they qualify for the Asian Champions League with the Roar having many youngsters in the squad. Off the field, I am personally excited to see how Dolphin Stadium in Redcliffe goes for the Roar.
While the Roar had little issues getting over 10 000 people at Suncorp, it looked largely empty due to its 50 000 capacity, with Dolphin Stadium being a boutique stadium, it fits the Roar perfectly looking just about 100per cent capacity for both of Brisbane’s games there last season.
Hopefully more full house games at Redcliffe will convince the club and the government to build a proper boutique soccer stadium more appropriate than Suncorp, or upgrade Perry Park which is much closer to the city than Dolphin Stadium.
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