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The Orange Army. (Brisbane Roar Official Thread)

Pasquali said:
Click to expand...

1.5 million seems so small compared to the budgets of these a league clubs

probably one of those things where they forgot to pay or were the sort of personality that deludes themselves into believing that if you delay paying bills it is some how cheaper
 
I missed a couple of departures.

Jack Hingert to Wynnum Wolves
Asumah Abubakar gone without a club yet
 
I know some think Hingert was here for a couple of seasons too many, but I always liked him in the side. Time to move on and good luck to him at Wolves.

Funny that he leaves after representing Sri Lanka - when playing for a national team is normally when players are showing their best form.

Abubakar is a loss that can be replaced - as long as we replace him. The Roar confirmed they offered him a multi year improved contract but he obviously wanted to try somewhere else.
 
Our squad as we know so far:

Goalkeepers
Macklin Freke
Dean Bouzanis

Defenders
Ben Warland
Marcus Ferkranus
Austin Ludwik
Lucas Herrington
Pearson Kasawaya
Hosine Bility
Antonee Burke-Gilroy
James McGarry

Midfielders
Henry Hore
Samuel Klein
Jay O'Shea
Quinn MacNicol
James Durrington
Milorad Stajic

Forwards
Nathan Amanatidis
Jacob Brazete
Ben Halloran
Ivan Ozzi
Michael Ruhs
 
Match 1: Caboolture Sports FC vs Brisbane Roar – Tuesday, 15 July at Moreton Bay Central Sporting Complex, kick-off 7:30pm AEST

Looking forward to our game tonight to see who Valkanis is trying out and how he will have us playing this early.

Warland, Bility and Halloran are all carry overs from Zadkovich who I am particularly keen to see under Valkanis.

Warland tore his ACL in December 2024 and missed the rest of the season. I had questions personally about his effectiveness under Ruben alongside Van Der Saag, and our brittleness and mistakes on that side. If/when he plays he will be lining up with a better defensive team than he had alongside him last time and it will be a good chance to see what he can really do.

Bility improved over the season despite being error prone. I wonder if Valkanis will still have him as a first choice defender and how his development will continue under him. With guidance, exposure and experience he has the potential to improve his decision making and become a good defender.

Halloran was largely ineffective for us last season with us rarely using him in the one role that he is best at - using his pace to get in behind wide and go from there with a run or a cross.

O'Shea's role is an interesting thing too. I always like him playing further forward where his vision, intelligence and execution create some of our best opportunities. He may not have the legs to play how he would want to in a defensive midfielder role so I am hoping he will be moved forward again to receive and hold the ball, apply positive pressure on his opponents, and deliver passes that set us up.

I expect Bouzanis to start in goals for all the preseason matches to build familiarity in our defensive structure.

And will we have 4 or 5 at the back - with 'plenty' of centrebacks to hold the middle in Herrington, Ludwik, Bility, Warland and Ferkranus.

Burke-Gilroy and McGarry may be our only two starting fullbacks as such with Hingert, Brown and Zabala all gone. Pearson Kasawaya is a left footed fullback but I do not remember anything about him from his few games last season or his Australian U20 appearances. I have found Burke-Gilroy to play best on the left so we seem to have three left fullbacks and no right fullbacks at this stage.

We are unlikely to learn much tonight really but it is going to be a good first look at the upcoming season prep and plans.
 
An excellent first hit out.

Very good crowd with the stand packed and the usual 'smart enough to bring my own seat' brigade sitting behind the top row and standing watchers behinds them. Kids running madly around with footballs and the young ones madly racing to get high fives off any Caboolture player who left the ground during warmup.

The score was meaningless in the sense that both sides basically put out two different teams throughout the game. Very hard to work out who was who with lots of distant faces and no big screen to check against - so apologies for the very loose and vague reporting that follows.

We scored in the opening 10 minutes or so with Caboolture playing high intensity football both with and without the ball. We played controlled football in the first half, patiently building and recycling the ball through our backline but trying to do it fast rather than the slow side to side we have been known to fall back on in the past.

Lots of probing attacks, with the goal coming off the back of a long, lofted diagonal pass out wide to probably Halloran, who looked like he one touched it forwards on the full to a wide forward. The forward ran onto the ball and crossed to the goal scorer. It was well executed and went up the far side at the far end of the pitch leaving me clueless about who had actually done what - but it was a fast and cleverly executed series of passes. Unusual for us to use the one touch volley forward up the sideline when we normally bring it under control then try to progress.

The game was an arm wrestle to begin with, goal aside, and both teams put cohesive attacks together and backed it up with determined and structured defensive groups. Many times we had players tracking back fast to disrupt and outnumber the Caboolture ball carriers. As the half progressed, we held more of the ball but could not score again.

Still 0-1 our way at half time with both sides playing some fluent attacking football but Roar clearly the dominant side as you should expect.

A few of the faces I could see and recognise in the first half...

McGarry was very fast, skilful and industrious. Looked really good with the ball at his feet and showed some very quick and neat touches to get round his opponents. Looks like a very good addition early on.

I think Freke started in goals but all I could really tell is that it didn't look like Bouzanis. Herrington, Bility and someone who looked a bit like Ludwig but may not have been played 3 across the back. Halloran was right wing, Klein in an attacking midfielder, O'Shea played as an involved box to box midfielder, and maybe Stajic in DM. Pretty sure we had Hore up front along with another face I could not pick but tall and rangy.

Second half and we brought out a completely different side.

I think it may have been Bouzanis in goals but again that is a guess. Throughout the half we had Brazete, MacNicol, and Ruhs, maybe Ferkranus, Amanatidis, Ludwig and Durrington, and a whole bunch of young looking players come on. Ozzi came on later at some point.

Fresh and driven we had another two goals in the opening 10 minutes or so with a swarming attack - overrunning the 45 minute old legs from Caboolture. Somewhere maybe around the hour mark 8 or so of the Caboolture players came off and were replaced by their second lineup.

We continued to press and goals came regularly - ending up (from a sofascore check) at 0-9.

The second half looked like a fresh side playing a tired/less experienced side, but more importantly it looked like a group of players who wanted to make sure that Valkanis kept them in mind as starters next time. A good thing to have competition like that for positions.

Edit: Ruhs looked fast, skilful and dangerous too. We seem to have picked up some pretty decent players in the off season.

Watching last night, I did not intend to provide a comprehensive guide to our team and our play (lucky that eh) but more to sit back and just see how we are playing. I was very pleased with our cohesion, creativity and overall play and I think we are in a great place for game one of pre-season.

I encourage anyone who is thinking about it to come to game two next week.

Match 2: Holland Park FC vs Brisbane Roar – Wednesday, 23 July at Whites Hill Reserve, kick-off 7:30pm AEST
 
RIMB said:
An excellent first hit out.

Very good crowd with the stand packed and the usual 'smart enough to bring my own seat' brigade sitting behind the top row and standing watchers behinds them. Kids running madly around with footballs and the young ones madly racing to get high fives off any Caboolture player who left the ground during warmup.

The score was meaningless in the sense that both sides basically put out two different teams throughout the game. Very hard to work out who was who with lots of distant faces and no big screen to check against - so apologies for the very loose and vague reporting that follows.

We scored in the opening 10 minutes or so with Caboolture playing high intensity football both with and without the ball. We played controlled football in the first half, patiently building and recycling the ball through our backline but trying to do it fast rather than the slow side to side we have been known to fall back on in the past.

Lots of probing attacks, with the goal coming off the back of a long, lofted diagonal pass out wide to probably Halloran, who looked like he one touched it forwards on the full to a wide forward. The forward ran onto the ball and crossed to the goal scorer. It was well executed and went up the far side at the far end of the pitch leaving me clueless about who had actually done what - but it was a fast and cleverly executed series of passes. Unusual for us to use the one touch volley forward up the sideline when we normally bring it under control then try to progress.

The game was an arm wrestle to begin with, goal aside, and both teams put cohesive attacks together and backed it up with determined and structured defensive groups. Many times we had players tracking back fast to disrupt and outnumber the Caboolture ball carriers. As the half progressed, we held more of the ball but could not score again.

Still 0-1 our way at half time with both sides playing some fluent attacking football but Roar clearly the dominant side as you should expect.

A few of the faces I could see and recognise in the first half...

McGarry was very fast, skilful and industrious. Looked really good with the ball at his feet and showed some very quick and neat touches to get round his opponents. Looks like a very good addition early on.

I think Freke started in goals but all I could really tell is that it didn't look like Bouzanis. Herrington, Bility and someone who looked a bit like Ludwig but may not have been played 3 across the back. Halloran was right wing, Klein in an attacking midfielder, O'Shea played as an involved box to box midfielder, and maybe Stajic in DM. Pretty sure we had Hore up front along with another face I could not pick but tall and rangy.

Second half and we brought out a completely different side.

I think it may have been Bouzanis in goals but again that is a guess. Throughout the half we had Brazete, MacNicol, and Ruhs, maybe Ferkranus, Amanatidis, Ludwig and Durrington, and a whole bunch of young looking players come on. Ozzi came on later at some point.

Fresh and driven we had another two goals in the opening 10 minutes or so with a swarming attack - overrunning the 45 minute old legs from Caboolture. Somewhere maybe around the hour mark 8 or so of the Caboolture players came off and were replaced by their second lineup.

We continued to press and goals came regularly - ending up (from a sofascore check) at 0-9.

The second half looked like a fresh side playing a tired/less experienced side, but more importantly it looked like a group of players who wanted to make sure that Valkanis kept them in mind as starters next time. A good thing to have competition like that for positions.

Edit: Ruhs looked fast, skilful and dangerous too. We seem to have picked up some pretty decent players in the off season.

Watching last night, I did not intend to provide a comprehensive guide to our team and our play (lucky that eh) but more to sit back and just see how we are playing. I was very pleased with our cohesion, creativity and overall play and I think we are in a great place for game one of pre-season.

I encourage anyone who is thinking about it to come to game two next week.

Match 2: Holland Park FC vs Brisbane Roar – Wednesday, 23 July at Whites Hill Reserve, kick-off 7:30pm AEST
Click to expand...
Great news and excellent summary brother... I hope Valkanis can get the team sorted for ya...
 
RIMB said:
An excellent first hit out.

Very good crowd with the stand packed and the usual 'smart enough to bring my own seat' brigade sitting behind the top row and standing watchers behinds them. Kids running madly around with footballs and the young ones madly racing to get high fives off any Caboolture player who left the ground during warmup.

The score was meaningless in the sense that both sides basically put out two different teams throughout the game. Very hard to work out who was who with lots of distant faces and no big screen to check against - so apologies for the very loose and vague reporting that follows.

We scored in the opening 10 minutes or so with Caboolture playing high intensity football both with and without the ball. We played controlled football in the first half, patiently building and recycling the ball through our backline but trying to do it fast rather than the slow side to side we have been known to fall back on in the past.

Lots of probing attacks, with the goal coming off the back of a long, lofted diagonal pass out wide to probably Halloran, who looked like he one touched it forwards on the full to a wide forward. The forward ran onto the ball and crossed to the goal scorer. It was well executed and went up the far side at the far end of the pitch leaving me clueless about who had actually done what - but it was a fast and cleverly executed series of passes. Unusual for us to use the one touch volley forward up the sideline when we normally bring it under control then try to progress.

The game was an arm wrestle to begin with, goal aside, and both teams put cohesive attacks together and backed it up with determined and structured defensive groups. Many times we had players tracking back fast to disrupt and outnumber the Caboolture ball carriers. As the half progressed, we held more of the ball but could not score again.

Still 0-1 our way at half time with both sides playing some fluent attacking football but Roar clearly the dominant side as you should expect.

A few of the faces I could see and recognise in the first half...

McGarry was very fast, skilful and industrious. Looked really good with the ball at his feet and showed some very quick and neat touches to get round his opponents. Looks like a very good addition early on.

I think Freke started in goals but all I could really tell is that it didn't look like Bouzanis. Herrington, Bility and someone who looked a bit like Ludwig but may not have been played 3 across the back. Halloran was right wing, Klein in an attacking midfielder, O'Shea played as an involved box to box midfielder, and maybe Stajic in DM. Pretty sure we had Hore up front along with another face I could not pick but tall and rangy.

Second half and we brought out a completely different side.

I think it may have been Bouzanis in goals but again that is a guess. Throughout the half we had Brazete, MacNicol, and Ruhs, maybe Ferkranus, Amanatidis, Ludwig and Durrington, and a whole bunch of young looking players come on. Ozzi came on later at some point.

Fresh and driven we had another two goals in the opening 10 minutes or so with a swarming attack - overrunning the 45 minute old legs from Caboolture. Somewhere maybe around the hour mark 8 or so of the Caboolture players came off and were replaced by their second lineup.

We continued to press and goals came regularly - ending up (from a sofascore check) at 0-9.

The second half looked like a fresh side playing a tired/less experienced side, but more importantly it looked like a group of players who wanted to make sure that Valkanis kept them in mind as starters next time. A good thing to have competition like that for positions.

Edit: Ruhs looked fast, skilful and dangerous too. We seem to have picked up some pretty decent players in the off season.

Watching last night, I did not intend to provide a comprehensive guide to our team and our play (lucky that eh) but more to sit back and just see how we are playing. I was very pleased with our cohesion, creativity and overall play and I think we are in a great place for game one of pre-season.

I encourage anyone who is thinking about it to come to game two next week.

Match 2: Holland Park FC vs Brisbane Roar – Wednesday, 23 July at Whites Hill Reserve, kick-off 7:30pm AEST
Click to expand...
Thanks for the sumary

Hope we finally have a year which is not miserable for a roar fan haha
 
Roar Media Release:

"Brisbane Roar is happy to confirm their pre-season fixtures for the month of August, as excitement continues to grow ahead of the 26/26 Isuzu UTE A-League Men season.

The first of the three fixtures will see Michael Valkanis’ men face 24/25 A-League Men Premiers, Auckland FC, on Sunday, August 3 before a trip to New South Wales to face the Newcastle Jets on Saturday, August 9. The last match for August will see the men face Queensland NPL heavyweights, Moreton City Excelsior on Tuesday, August 19.

The evening against Moreton City Excelsior will be deeply focused on engaging with an incredibly passionate football community, involving pre-game coaching sessions with the current playing squad and a signing session along with half-time entertainment, a merchandise tent and availability to register for a 25/26 Brisbane Roar membership.

Please see below the current confirmed fixture list from Thursday, 17 July for Brisbane Roar’s Isuzu UTE A-League Men pre-season, with more fixtures to be announced soon;

- Holland Park FC vs Brisbane Roar – Wednesday, 23 July at Whites Hill Reserve, kick-off 7:30pm AEST

- St George Willawong FC vs Brisbane Roar – Tuesday, 29 July at St George’s Park, kick-off 7:45pm AEST

- Brisbane Roar vs Auckland FC – Sunday, 3 August at Venue TBC, kick-off 12:00pm AEST

- Newcastle Jets vs Brisbane Roar – Saturday, 9 August at Oakes Oval, Lismore, kick-off 3:00pm AEST

- Moreton City Excelsior vs Brisbane Roar – Tuesday, 19 August at Venue TBC, kick-off 7:30pm AEST"
 
Roar Media Release:

"Brisbane Roar trio Grace Kuilamu, Isabela Hoyos and Zara Kruger have been selected as part of the CommBank Young Matildas for the upcoming AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ Qualifiers this August.

This call-up follows Kuilamu’s senior national team debut in the CommBank Matildas’ two-game series against Panama earlier this month, and outstanding performances from both Hoyos and Kruger throughout the 24/25 Ninja A-League season.

Australia is due to face Tajikistan, Palestine, and Chinese Taipei in Group C, with all the matches to take place at Pamir Stadium in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. As the reigning bronze medalists from the 2024 tournament, the CommBank Young Matildas will need to finish in the top two positions of the group with the eight group winners and three best runners up advancing.

Qualification at the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ will also mean a direct pathway to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026™.

The AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers will kick off on Wednesday, 6 August 2025, with Australia opening its campaign against host nation Tajikistan, before facing Palestine on 8 August and Chinese Taipei on 10 August.

AFC U-20 WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP THAILAND 2026™ QUALIFIERS | GROUP C

Australia v Tajikistan
Date: Wednesday, 6 August 2025 / Thursday, 7 August 2025
Time: 10.00pm (local) / 3.00am AEST
Venue: Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Palestine v Australia
Date: Friday, 8 August 2025/ Saturday, 9 August 2025
Time: 7.00pm (local) /12.00am AEST
Venue: Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Australia v Chinese Taipei
Date: Sunday, 10 August 2025/ Monday, 11 August 2025
Time: 7.00pm (local) /12.00am AEST
Venue: Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan"
 
Pre-season game 2 cancelled.

"A little bit of mud on the boots! Brisbane Roar fans, unfortunately due to adverse weather our fixture tonight against Holland Park Hawks FC has been called off. We apologize for any inconvenience. Great to get the clinic in before it really hit us!"
 
Roar Media Release:

"Brisbane Roar is excited to announce the signing of English striker Christopher Long, who has joined the club on a one-year deal with an option to extend his time at the club a further season contingent on performance.

A product of Everton FC’s youth academy, Long initially secured a two-year professional deal with his boyhood club in 2013. From here, loans at Milton Keynes Dons and Brentford followed before Long made the permanent move to Burnley FC in 2015.

During his three years at the club, the number nine helped them gain promotion into the Premier League as well as enjoying spells at Fleetwood Town, Bolton Wanderers and Northampton town.

From 2018 to 2021, Long spent time at Fleetwood Town, Blackpool FC and Motherwell FC before joining Crewe Alexandra FC where he has been until now. During his time at the club, Long produced 35 goal contributions in 105 matches, becoming a key figure in the squad over that period.

The England youth international has become the sixth signing of the transfer window as Michael Valkanis continues to bolster his squad ahead of the 25/26 Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s season.

Speaking on joining the club, Chris Long said: “I’m excited for the move Down Under and the challenge of playing in the A-League with Brisbane Roar.

“I know I’m joining a club that has big ambitions for the upcoming season. I can’t wait to get going, meet my teammates and most importantly, pull on that jersey and give my all for the fans.”

Head Coach Michael Valkanis said: “It is fantastic to have secured Chris’ services and have him in Brisbane Roar colours this season.

“Chris is a highly experienced footballer who boasts a keen eye for goal, creativity in the box and a strong turn of pace that will make him an extremely strong addition to the squad.

“We look forward to welcoming Chris to the club and squad as we continue to build for the new campaign.”
 
RIMB said:
Roar Media Release:

"Brisbane Roar is excited to announce the signing of English striker Christopher Long, who has joined the club on a one-year deal with an option to extend his time at the club a further season contingent on performance.

A product of Everton FC’s youth academy, Long initially secured a two-year professional deal with his boyhood club in 2013. From here, loans at Milton Keynes Dons and Brentford followed before Long made the permanent move to Burnley FC in 2015.

During his three years at the club, the number nine helped them gain promotion into the Premier League as well as enjoying spells at Fleetwood Town, Bolton Wanderers and Northampton town.

From 2018 to 2021, Long spent time at Fleetwood Town, Blackpool FC and Motherwell FC before joining Crewe Alexandra FC where he has been until now. During his time at the club, Long produced 35 goal contributions in 105 matches, becoming a key figure in the squad over that period.

The England youth international has become the sixth signing of the transfer window as Michael Valkanis continues to bolster his squad ahead of the 25/26 Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s season.

Speaking on joining the club, Chris Long said: “I’m excited for the move Down Under and the challenge of playing in the A-League with Brisbane Roar.

“I know I’m joining a club that has big ambitions for the upcoming season. I can’t wait to get going, meet my teammates and most importantly, pull on that jersey and give my all for the fans.”

Head Coach Michael Valkanis said: “It is fantastic to have secured Chris’ services and have him in Brisbane Roar colours this season.

“Chris is a highly experienced footballer who boasts a keen eye for goal, creativity in the box and a strong turn of pace that will make him an extremely strong addition to the squad.

“We look forward to welcoming Chris to the club and squad as we continue to build for the new campaign.”
Click to expand...
One year deal isn't very .... long......

Ok, Ill get me coat....
 
His career is dotted with short appearances. As you so subtly draw our attention to it - funny given his surname.

30 years old and represented England from U16 to U20.

He has sort of averaged about 1 goal in every 4 games but has done better and worse in different places. The good thing is he has scored in every game for the Roar so far.

I was very disappointed last night's game got cancelled. Really looking forward to seeing the group play more and now with another attacker to try out and hopefully bear fruit.
 
RIMB said:
Roar Media Release:

"Brisbane Roar is excited to announce the signing of English striker Christopher Long, who has joined the club on a one-year deal with an option to extend his time at the club a further season contingent on performance.

A product of Everton FC’s youth academy, Long initially secured a two-year professional deal with his boyhood club in 2013. From here, loans at Milton Keynes Dons and Brentford followed before Long made the permanent move to Burnley FC in 2015.

During his three years at the club, the number nine helped them gain promotion into the Premier League as well as enjoying spells at Fleetwood Town, Bolton Wanderers and Northampton town.

From 2018 to 2021, Long spent time at Fleetwood Town, Blackpool FC and Motherwell FC before joining Crewe Alexandra FC where he has been until now. During his time at the club, Long produced 35 goal contributions in 105 matches, becoming a key figure in the squad over that period.

The England youth international has become the sixth signing of the transfer window as Michael Valkanis continues to bolster his squad ahead of the 25/26 Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s season.

Speaking on joining the club, Chris Long said: “I’m excited for the move Down Under and the challenge of playing in the A-League with Brisbane Roar.

“I know I’m joining a club that has big ambitions for the upcoming season. I can’t wait to get going, meet my teammates and most importantly, pull on that jersey and give my all for the fans.”

Head Coach Michael Valkanis said: “It is fantastic to have secured Chris’ services and have him in Brisbane Roar colours this season.

“Chris is a highly experienced footballer who boasts a keen eye for goal, creativity in the box and a strong turn of pace that will make him an extremely strong addition to the squad.

“We look forward to welcoming Chris to the club and squad as we continue to build for the new campaign.”
Click to expand...
I'm not getting excited by this yet, I'll see what he can do first. I've got to say I'm sceptical, a 30 year old League 1/2/Scottish Prem journeyman striker with a so-so scoring record does not fill me with confidence.
 
Keeper66 said:
I'm not getting excited by this yet, I'll see what he can do first. I've got to say I'm sceptical, a 30 year old League 1/2/Scottish Prem journeyman striker with a so-so scoring record does not fill me with confidence.
Click to expand...
I am excited that we are selecting players for positions we need bolstered.

At this stage I am trusting in Valkanis to make good choices and to make the best use of whoever we have.

Early days yet - I don't care I just enjoy seeing us play positive football as a starter.
 
RIMB said:
His career is dotted with short appearances. As you so subtly draw our attention to it - funny given his surname.

30 years old and represented England from U16 to U20.

He has sort of averaged about 1 goal in every 4 games but has done better and worse in different places. The good thing is he has scored in every game for the Roar so far.

I was very disappointed last night's game got cancelled. Really looking forward to seeing the group play more and now with another attacker to try out and hopefully bear fruit.
Click to expand...
Thats a pretty poor resume to be honest
 
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