For any aspiring Australian football coach it is a dream to work in the A League, as there are only 12 head coaching positions available and approximately 30 assistant coaching positions.
While household NPL coaches like Mark Crittenden, Ben Cahn & Paul Pezos are forever linked to the professional level, they continually miss out on making the step up – no matter the success they have in NPL competitions. That is why it was a refreshing change in 2020, when Brisbane Roar took a chance on Warren Moon – who was lauded for his work in youth development at NPL level.
Across a decent period, Brisbane has in my opinion, been run negligently by its owners, the Bakries group – who have treated the club almost like a tax write-off.
(Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
But even with all the behind the scene issues that the embattled club had been experiencing, hiring a coach like Moon to oversee one of the A-Leagues’ best clubs at producing talented youth, seemed like a perfect match
However, after two and a half seasons of mediocracy, Moon was finally relieved of his duties – in a hastily worded press release earlier in the week.
It wasn’t a shock to see Moon become the A-Leagues’ first coaching casualty this season, he was incredibly lucky to retain his position after narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon in season 21/22. 28 victories in 83 matches for a winning percentage of just over 33% would be enough to sack any coach, even the besieged Brisbane Roar.
Moon’s time will be highlighted by a heavy emphasis on a resolute defensive structure at the detriment of attacking output, formations that did not get the best out of a very talented squad, poor Visa signings and much disharmony in the dressing room.
The playing group will rightly take some share of the blame, but there are several extremely talented individuals who would start at many other A-League clubs.
For suffering fans of the Roar, the question on everyone’s lips was – who takes charge next?
We now have the answer. Nick Green is well known in Queensland football circles for taking Brisbane City FC to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
The coach had only been in charge of a few matches before the pandemic hit, and then was terminated a few months later via email. The tribunal ruled in his favour, awarding Green the remaining $15,000 of his contract. In the past few years, Green has been concentrating on his role as director and head coach with the Pro-Player Football program while attaining his UEFA A Licence & UEFA Youth coach badges.
Green has coaching experience in England with Lincoln City & Hartlepool United – taking charge of both clubs Under 18’s all the way through to the Under 23’s.
Brisbane may be second to bottom and currently seven points off qualifying for the finals – but with nine games left to play, they mathematically still have a chance. In recent away matches against Adelaide and Sydney the side looked semi-functional going forward, the new coach must try to find the right formation to get the best out of the many attacking weapons available to him.
When the campaign wraps up, the Roar will be posed with another problem – what to do with several players coming off contract? Yet another off-season of upheaval will be expected for the dwindling fanbase, which seems to have deserted the club in a critical time when support is needed.
Green has the unenviable task of trying to restore a former A-League powerhouse to an acceptable level.
With all the background noise continuing at the club, the lion on the club’s badge should be roaring loudly – instead it’s still like a newborn cub whimpering under the Bakeries reign.
Sheffield WesDay
Roar Rookie
True, they would have some 15s and up in the 23s team. To be fair, FQ have a talent strategy for the state in their TSP ( I think they just call it FQ Academy now) that my son is involved in, and it has been fairly good. A weekly training session with regular tournaments most holidays. You could argue that it is better than just leaving the elite development to the A League or NPL Clubs. It also gives a co-ordinated and wider spread of players the time and chance to develop without the Roar picking their favs at the age of 13 and not really seeing the rest of the talent out there. Time will tell.
BennoFootball
Roar Rookie
Please CHANGE THAT ACRONYM …. To Aplc, please!!! APL stands for Aerial Pingpong League …. Aussie Rules Rugby!!! …. anything played with an elliptical object is a Code of Rugby Union ???? …. NO F for Football in it!!! So, change that name to PLA Professional Leagues Australia …. Nuf said!!! FORZA BRISBANE ROAR FOOTBALL CLUB!!!
BennoFootball
Roar Rookie
8k+ and 9k+ to both games at Lang Park …. The Original ground of Football in Brisbane ( Bardon Football Club ) WHY do all Non Brisbane Residents ALWAYS UNDERSTATE our attendances in Brisbane but ALWAYS OVERSTATE their own Attendances …. Always Blows my mind!!! And why is Redcliffe not in Brisbane when from the Redcliffe Esplanade CLEARLY see every building in the City on a Clear Day only 28km away as the crow flies …. The only problem is that it has only ONE Train Line and a 2km walk to the stadium if you are coming from the Southside of the City!!!
coolncold
Roar Rookie
Ha ha
Bill the Dill from Rooty Hill
Guest
Here I am on the hill howling at the dark side of the blue moon with the satisfaction I feel after a good apple turnover with fresh cream and strawberry jam. My frustrations have now all been relieved and I have to say my sympathies go out to all those people who had to endure the company, dictates and sorry decision-making of the coach. The carnage of players turned over this season hopefully is over. The players retained need to be made accountable for their performances and not let off the hook based on seniority and resumes. I sincerely hope that the new coach develops the players, especially the young ones, and makes the team and the club roar with the fuel injected success of a 1958 565 cubic inch big block V8 Chevy sooner rather than later. I can now see my over 70s, buxom, slightly over weight mates Feral Cheryl, Thirty Bob Betty and Effie the Greek cousin giving up the mixed pole dancing classes and returning to Roar home games happy and giving quick flashes to the TV cameras celebrating every Roar goal.
chris
Guest
Brains you need to understand that the print media is a shrinking phenomenon. The only people who buy it are the old over 55s who don't like the sokkah. It's tough on the print media. They need to satisfy their ever shrinking market, and if the try to appeal to a broader market, they will only accelerate their demise. Lose lose situation really.
Beach
Roar Rookie
Instant cardiac arrest
Beach
Roar Rookie
Mori in the mix?
Beach
Roar Rookie
Long time since Ange.
Beach
Roar Rookie
Hat!
Beach
Roar Rookie
I'll accept that acclaim. You need a huge hate and a lot of water.
Beach
Roar Rookie
Yes the concerts are such a problem at Suncorp.
Beach
Roar Rookie
Tbh, SS, I can't see the fans coming back until the Bakries have gone.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
no way would I leave a doll where those nrl fans might find them
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
think you mean you were not impressed then
jbinnie
Guest
SS - You mention Parson's leaving of Roar as a money motivated move. If true I would think you would be coming around to giving us a lecture on the young Aussie players who have been lured by money when in fact they, and their advisers, should be looking at how a club is run from top to bottom, that is from management down to kit steward ,before making a decision based on a few dollars. An examination of young Aussie players now playing in our A-League will find numerous examples of youngsters who have (1) ventured overseas for a year or two, then returned to from whence they came, the A-League. then (2) we have the "gypsy' players who have moved from club to club in the hope of first team exposure. then (3) we have young players who are praised to the high by coaches and then find themselves sitting on a bench week after week. As examples in (1) I could mention McLaren, Chapman ,Mileuesnic ,Kruse,& Zullo etc; in (2) Ivanovic , Parsons, and Milinaric all at multiple A-League clubs; or in { 3) Mister Moon's "Ferrari in the garage" and "super sub", that he has sitting on the bench but rarely, if ever, starting a game. These are just a few names but I am sure you will be able to add considerably to the list . If you don't consider these practices as a 'brake' on our football development then so be it. Personally I feel it is a constant drag on our improvement. Cheers jb..
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
parsons was offered a sizeable wage increase by sydney - brissy were never going to match it (i doubt whether the mariners/adelaide or newcastle would've matched it either if the roles were reversed. he hasnt played much for sydney (i know he got that goal) but so far, brisbane made the right decision to not match the wage - you cannont have teenagers on that sort of money in australia. jelacic is a really interesting one for me, if you remember correctly id mentioned on here over 18 months ago that he has the potential to be starting player - but you have to give him 6-7 games in a row in his preferred position. he looked 2 or 3 steps above everyone at QNPL level and it was surprising that moon (who knew jelacic reasonably well) didnt play him more often. from what i am aware, jelacic was not tearing down the house at training (its not as though brissy had a locked in starting XI at that point in time) hes shown what he can do in perth but he needs to continue with the consistency - brissy may yet rule letting him leave the nest
TK
Guest
Agreed. The return to Suncorp with only the eastern stand open is another slap in the face to club and fans. What if we just took one blow up dolls in orange each and put them in the eastern stand for TV then just walked round to the western side to watch the game? End of the match, deflate your doll and store it at the ground for the next home game.
TK
Guest
We saw enough of Ross when he was last mixed up with roar on the coat tails of JA. I was impressed then and would be less than impressed if the club thinks he is the answer to Roars problems. Looking forward to heading to Redcliffe this Sunday to watch v Perth
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
so we let locally developed players like Parsons and Jelacic go, and recruit underdone players from SA. Yep, it's the owners wot done it.