Opinion
It is always dangerous to mess with a strong culture and a winning formula. Brisbane Roar are finding that out the hard way this season.
The Roar finished second in the W-League in 2020-21 under Jake Goodship, with the best attack in the league and one of the stingiest defences. They lost only one game all season.
Brisbane scored 29 goals last season in 12 games and conceded only 12 (four coming in their only loss to Canberra).
For still unexplained reasons, Goodship was moved on and replaced with Garrath Mcpherson for this season. Goodship had apparently turned down roles to coach men’s teams to continue a project he was enthusiastic about finishing, possibly with a championship.
But a decision was made at the top to change things and the results so far in 2021-22 have been a disaster. The Roar sit well outside the top four, three points from the bottom with two wins and seven losses, including today’s humiliating 8-2 drubbing at the hands of Adelaide United in Brisbane.
After last season, Emily Gielnik and Tameka Yallop had moved overseas to England after both had excellent campaigns in the orange jersey.
(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)[/caption]Brisbane fans must be questioning what has happened and the moves made after a successful season. While last season there was accountability from the playing group, this season has been somewhat haphazard, with ill-discipline and disinterest costing the team.
Before today they had conceded 18 goals in nine games, which has blown out to 26 in ten. This is the second-worst defence after new club Wellington Phoenix, who are finding their feet in their first season and are playing away from home all season.
A young team will always struggle in the A-League Women’s competition, but players like Gorry, Tathem, Jamilla Rankin, Larissa Crummer and Mariel Hecher are no mugs. They will be fuming after today’s result.
While Mcpherson will undoubtedly be under the pump – especially after today’s result – it is unfair to blame a coach who came into an environment that was disrupted by decisions made above.
Changing a positive culture is never a good move. Brisbane are finding that out now.
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