Roar Media Release:
"The Ninja A-League Women return to pre-season this week and look forward to connecting with the local football community through three matches against local opposition in the coming weeks.

Roar kick off their pre-season fixtures with a clash against the Queensland State Team on Tuesday 30 September, before facing NPL outfit Caboolture Sports FC on Saturday 4 October, and finally, a showdown against this year’s FQPL1 Champions Olympic FC on Saturday 11 October.

These fixtures will be focused on engaging with the community, involving pre-match junior clinics with the players, half-time entertainment, signing sessions, a merchandise tent and the opportunity to register for a 25/26 Brisbane Roar membership.

Please see below the current confirmed fixture list for Brisbane Roar’s Ninja A-League Women’s pre-season:

Queensland State Team vs Brisbane Roar – Tuesday, 23 September at Imperial Corp Stadium, kick-off 7:30pm. Grab your tickets HERE

Caboolture Sports FC vs Brisbane Roar – Saturday, 4 October at Caboolture Sports Complex, kick-off TBC

Olympic FC vs Brisbane Roar – Saturday, 11 October at Goodwin Park, kick-off 6:30pm AEST"

We had a tough battle against the Qld State Team tonight.

Basically we had a different 11 to the Saturday line-up and still not our first team - although Long did start having only played the first half last game and Ruhs played the bulk of the game having come on late in the first game.

The State side had the better of the play taken across the whole game, despite us yet again pinching the win 1-0.

They played another close physical game, perhaps with the assistance of an on-field ref who did not think a lot of things were really worth a card when they really were. The game became more and more willing as it progressed as a result.

We seemed more than a bit aimless and wasteful through the middle - without much presence through the middle as we pushed high and deep and left the middle, or dropped all our forwards back to win the ball and left nobody forward. Klein was getting annoyed by regular knocks and fouls that only resulted in free kicks or nothing and it limited his usual effectiveness severely.

We had players in midfield throughout the game (when they did not drop back to defend or push forward too far) and they challenged for the ball all game but never got on top.

Ben Warland started the game, and captained the team. As far as I know it was the first time he has played competitive football since he did his ACL last season. He did well in a defensive group that saw him sometimes defending past halfway when his opponent was looking for space to attack through. I am looking forward to seeing how he is played amongst our numerous centreback options to be able to rate him fairly.

Brazete had one of the best games I can recall. He was fast, strong and effective and won a lot of challenges that he was not entitled to and often loses.

Long showed his absolute class in one moment; running down the right wing with a defender keeping pace then cutting inside and behind his opponent with a smooth and skilful change of direction. He then drove in towards goal and fired off an excellent, powerful, left footed strike across the keeper that Matt Acton (in goals for the State team) managed to deflect with a good save.

Ruhs did not seem to play his usual high line with accompanying drops back to halfway to bring the ball forward - probably due to all the forwards tending to drop back at the same time and leaving no option to go forward at speed.

Valkanis did play another son this game but not enough to gauge how far skill and quality overrides my nepotism concerns.

The State side put more pressure on our 18 yard box and had more chances that could have been - but our scrambling defence did its job and either blocked shots or forced a shot wide with pressure. Still an element of luck in our clean sheet though.

Have to say, AJ Kelly Park has the most uncomfortable stands I have sat on. Hard aluminium, with the same space for legs that you have for a seat - so your knees are always in the back of the person in front or you contort your leg to avoid that. Other than the seats, the loudspeaker was clear and useful, and the staff friendly and helpful.

Glad to see all the new faces, whoever they all may be, and to get another game under my belt.

It was a tough but enjoyable night of live football.

Roar Media Release:
"Brisbane Roar are proud to announce that defender Lucas Herrington has been selected in the final 21-man Australia U20 National Team squad for the upcoming FIFA U20 World Cup Chile 2025™.

Unfortunately, Roar attacker Nathan Amanatidis sustained an injury during the pre-camp preparations and has since returned home to Brisbane to begin his rehabilitation.

The FIFA U20 World Cup Chile 2025™, scheduled from 27 September to 19 October 2025, features 24 teams from across the globe, with the CommBank Young Socceroos sealing their place in the 24th edition of the bi-annual tournament courtesy of their history-making victory at the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025™.

Australia begin their FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign against European heavyweights, Italy at the Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander in Valparaíso on Monday, 29 September.

Their Group D schedule will see the CommBank Young Socceroos stay in Valparaíso to tackle their second opponents, Argentina, on Thursday, 2 October before travelling to Santiago to end the group phase against Cuba on Sunday, 5 October at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos.

The CommBank Young Socceroos will represent Asia alongside Saudi Arabia and former U-20 silver medallists Japan and Korea Republic.

The Group Stage of the tournament will see the top two teams advance to the round of 16 alongside the four best third place finishers.

The knockout phase starts with the Round of 16 (7-9 October), followed by the quarterfinals (11-12 October), semifinals (Wednesday, 15 October) and the final on Sunday, 19 October 2025. From everyone at Brisbane Roar, we wish Lucas and the U-20 CommBank Young Socceroos all the very best.

MATCH SCHEDULE | FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP CHILE 2025™

Italy v Australia
Date: Monday, 29 September 2025 (AUS)
Time: 6.00am (AEST)
Venue: Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander, Valparaíso, Chile

Argentina v Australia
Date: Thursday, 2 October 2025 (AUS)
Time: 9.00am (AEST)
Venue: Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander, Valparaíso, Chile

Australia v Cuba
Date: Sunday, 5 October 2025 (AUS)
Time: 10.00am (AEST)
Venue: Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos, Santiago, Chile "

Roar Media Release:
"Brisbane Roar are proud to announce that NPL product Kade Kerry has been selected in the CommBank Joeys 30-player squad for their upcoming domestic training camp in Canberra.

With the move to an annual FIFA U-17 World Cup™, the camp forms a crucial part of the team’s preparations for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Qualifiers this November, where Australia will face Jordan, Bhutan, Philippines and Iraq in Group E. All matches will take place in Prince Mohammed Stadium, Jordan with qualification offering a pathway to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026™.

Australia kicks-off its AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers on Monday, 24 November 2025, with the Joeys opening its campaign against hosts nation Jordan. The group winners advance to the finals.

AFC U-17 ASIAN CUP SAUDI ARABIA 2026™ QUALIFIERS | GROUP E 

Jordan v Australia
Date: Monday 24 November 2025 / Tuesday 25 November 2025
Time: 4.00pm (local) / 12.00am AEDT
Venue: Prince Mohammed Stadium, Zarqa

Australia v Bhutan
Date: Wednesday 26 November 2025 / Thursday, 27 September 2025
Time: 7.00pm (local) / 3.00am AEDT
Venue: Prince Mohammed Stadium, Zarqa

Philippines v Australia
Date: Friday 28 November 2025 / Saturday, 29 November 2025
Time: 4.00pm (local) / 12.00am AEDT
Venue: Prince Mohammed Stadium, Zarqa

Australia v Iraq
Date: Sunday 30 November 2025 / Monday, 1 December 2025
Time: 7.00pm (local) / 3.00am AEDT
Venue: Prince Mohammed Stadium, Zarqa"

Roar Media Release:
"Brisbane Roar are pleased to welcome American defender Marianna Seidl from Czech side SK Slavia Praha ahead of the Ninja 25/26 A-League Women’s season.

Born and raised in Colorado, Seidl joined SK Slavia Praha last season, where she scored one goal from the backline and contributed to winning the Czech Cup and Czech League to qualify for the Champions League.

Prior to her time in Prague, the 23-year-old was at the University of Alabama for two years, where the squad won the Southeastern Conference (SEC). During her time here Seidl registered four goals to her name.

“I’m so excited to be with the Brisbane Roar and grateful for the opportunity to play professional soccer in the A-League,” Seidl said.

“The group has been really great so far and I can’t wait to get started. Let’s get the league title back in Brisbane!”

“It is very exciting news welcoming Mari to the club,” Head Coach, Alex Smith said.

“She is another proven winner with European experience. Mari has fantastic technical ability and is always looking to get forward. She is a great fit for our program, and I can’t wait to see her on the pitch.”

25/26 Ninja A-League Women’s Contracted Players: Chloe Lincoln, Ruby Cuthbert, Leia Varley, Momo Hayashi, Isabela Hoyos, Alicia Woods, Zara Kruger, Amali Kinsella, Daisy Brown, Ava Piazza, Grace Kuilamu, Tameka Yallop, Kijah Stephenson, Kiera Meyers, Tahlia Franco, Kyla Hanson, Sharn Freier, Bente Jansen, Marianna Seidl and Ashlyn Miller."

JS96 said:

The centre of the AFL universe will always be the MCG on the last Saturday in September, but the game is exploding in Brisbane’s western suburbs and further afield in the southeast corner of Queensland – what does it mean for the NRL? Read more: https://bit.ly/46UUQ0S

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Why the Roar thread instead of AFL/NRL threads?

It is behind the paywall if there is anything specific to the Roar so I can't see it.

Reminder:

Solomon Islands v Brisbane Roar
5pm AEST today
Meant to be streamed live on the Roar Youtube channel.

Then you can watch the Australia Cup final straight after.

Excerpt from BrisbaneRoar.com.au news article:
"Preparation for Saturday’s main fixture has now begun for Michael Valkanis’ men, who as of Thursday night have already completed two training sessions and a 60 minute match against the U23’s team, which ended in a 1-0 win for a Roar side comprising of a number young squad members.

Prior to Saturday’s historic fixture, the team will also be immersed amongst the football mad community, where they will deliver skills sessions and motivational talks, with the hope of inspiring a nation who well and truly breathes football.

On Saturday, their opponents from the senior national team are set to be another stern test for the Roar. A premier national team from the Pacific region, Solomon Islands will no doubt be aiming to put their best foot forward as part of their preparations for next month’s Prime Minister’s Invitational Cup, set for Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Speaking on the trip so far, club captain Jay O’Shea said, “It’s perfect preparation, if I’m honest.”

“It’s not often you get the opportunity to be part of an event like this, in a country that is obsessed with football.”

“The conditions are tough but the facilities are world class. You can tell they take their football very seriously. We can’t wait for the days ahead, the match in front of what will be an incredible atmosphere and just continuing to ready ourselves for round 1.”

There are few better experiences so close to home that will help the boys prepare for the upcoming season, so that ‘energy’ mentioned by Valkanis will be crucial come Saturday."

An odd game to watch - with no sound on the youtube channel I was watching and the game seemingly halted around 20 minutes for a long time when the lights went out.

Found a second youtube listing and it picked up from when the lights came back on - but no idea how long the break was. Second feed had sound and commentary which made such a difference.

Lots of close contact fouls throughout had some frustrations showing - Vrakas again showing a lack of control and getting a yellow for mouthing at the ref. He has been carded twice now for stupidity.

A very obvious late handball in the box by a Solomon Islands defender completely missed by the ref - would have been a 1-2 victory if you can count your chickens before the eggs are even laid.

Tough game in both physicality and what I took to be high heat/humidity - they seemed to have drinks breaks anyway.

Good to see and a bonus to have something so different in pre-season.

Solomon Island team played well.

Roar92_ said:

Looking forward to the season ahead, hopefully a few things for us to celebrate this season.

Just had a look at the seats available for Round 1, looks like they’ll be closing off most of the stadium including the TV side.

It looks absolutely awful on TV, surely for night games at least they can open the side which shows on TV? I recall they did for games during the season, hopefully again?

View attachment 3539

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301 and thereabouts are season ticket holders I think and may not show up when you look at buying tickets.

They may have a camera or two on the far side for some shots including the crowd, but I don't remember them showing games with the benches in the background - my memory is always of emptier seats with the big shirts. Also of cameras always between the coaching boxes trying to avoid balls that come flying that way.

It does lessen the impact on tv when they make it look like no-one turned up.

We can hope that our football improves and attendances follow that trend.

zimbos05 said:

Granted I haven't followed the Roar too closely this off season, but there seems to be a lot of buzz about the team and that we could do well. Am I missing something?

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I doubt you are missing any one big thing as such.

We have the new coach and Valkanis has us playing proper football in a seemingly well balanced fast, attacking style.

We have had quite a lot of signings, and from our pre-season games we are finishing a lot more of the chances that in previous years we have failed to capitalise on.

There have not been anywhere near the sort of big-top events in the off season to detract from football - which is no small thing for the club, the players and the fans.

And the biggest one in my eyes - we haven't played an aleague game for ages and I am hungry for kickoff.

Roar Media Release (Women's Roar):
"Brisbane Roar continue their pre-season fixtures with a clash against Olympic FC on Saturday evening at Goodwin Park.

The club looks forward to engaging with the local football community on Saturday evening in collaboration with Football Queensland. Here’s everything you need to know:

Football Queensland will be running their junior clinics at 4:00pm, that will see Brisbane Roar players involved in co-coaching small-sided games and skills drills. A signing session with the players will follow at 4:30pm.

Brisbane Roar will have their tent set up for membership information and merchandise.

Fans are encouraged to stay around after the match for photo opportunities and another signing opportunity with their favourite players.

The canteen will be operating to provide food and drinks throughout the night.

Olympic FC v Brisbane Roar FC – Saturday, 11 October
Goodwin Park, Yeronga
Gates open: 5:30pm
Kick-off: 6:30pm "