If the quickest way to get over a tough defeat is to get back up and face your next opponent, then Michael Valkanis’ men will no doubt be ready and raring to go against the Central Coast Mariners in Redcliffe.
It’s safe to say results haven’t exactly gone Brisbane Roar’s way in recent weeks.
Which is somewhat ironic, given some of the football we witnessed in that 3-2 defeat to Adelaide United at Suncorp Stadium a fortnight ago was some of the best we’ve seen since the days of Ange Postecoglou.
Sam Klein was absolutely immense in that loss to the Reds, driving home the opening goal with an unerring strike into the bottom corner, linking up superbly with Jay O’Shea and Noah Maieroni throughout, and refusing to take a backwards step against an Adelaide side that wasn’t averse to getting stuck in themselves.
But there’s no denying football is a results-driven business, and two defeats from the last two – including last weekend’s 4-1 loss at the hands of the Newcastle Jets – certainly stings.
Here’s the good news. Just six points separates the men in orange from the league-leading Novocastrians, meaning a second win of the season over the Central Coast Mariners could catapult the Roar straight back into the top six.
And if Michael Valkanis and his men needed any extra motivation for what is a pivotal clash at Kayo Stadium, they got it in the reverse fixture in Gosford on New Year’s Eve.
That was the game where former Roar coach Warren Moon – who remains a popular figure in Brisbane, it must be said – labelled his old side “a disgrace” after a half-time dust-up in the tunnel.
Exactly what Moon was referring to remains a mystery, but it’s safe to say both sides will be fired up for the return fixture in Redcliffe.
And with back-to-back away games against Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC to come over the coming weeks, it’s not a stretch to say this a crunch game for Brisbane Roar.
But given there are still 30 points to play for over the closing weeks of the season, there’s also no reason to hit the panic button just yet.
No particular side has managed to dominate the competition thus far – including the table-topping Jets, who lost five of their opening seven fixtures.
So there is plenty of time to set a course for finals football, and with any luck it will start in front of another passionate crowd in Redcliffe.
We know the last visit didn’t go quite to plan, after Wellington Phoenix ambushed the home team with a clinical display of finishing in a shock 3-0 win.
But what made that game so memorable was the backing of a full house of passionate home fans roaring their side on.
That’s something Michael Valkanis and his men will no doubt need as they look to mastermind a seventh win of the season against a Mariners side coming off an impressive win of their own.
The stage could be set for Nick D’Agostino to make a real impact as he looks to find his feet on loan from Norwegian club Viking, while the likes of Michael Ruhs and the fit again Ben Halloran could provide a much-needed X-factor in attack.
Whoever steps up on Saturday afternoon has the chance to draw Brisbane Roar one step closer to finals football.
It won’t be easy against a Central Coast Mariners side aching for revenge for that New Year’s defeat in Gosford, but that’s what makes the A-League so compelling.
A grudge match against a noisy rival in the fight for finals football?
Bring it on!
Mike Tuckerman
About Mike Tuckerman: Mike is a freelance football journalist and long-time Brisbane Roar watcher. He has written for the ABC, The Guardian, Australian Football Weekly, Football Australia and theroar.com.au.
