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2016/17 BRFC A-League Men Season Review

Agonisingly close to the Grand Final for a second straight season, Brisbane Roar will look back on the 2016/17 campaign with a feeling of what might have been. 

John Aloisi’s side finished in third position at the end of the regular season before defeating Western Sydney Wanderers on penalties in the Elimination Final at Suncorp Stadium.

Roar’s season came to an end in the Semi Finals where they were defeated 1-0 by Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park courtesy of a goal from former Roar frontman, Besart Berisha.

For a second successive season, Jamie Maclaren notched 20 goals, becoming the first player to achieve the feat and also picking up the competition’s Golden Boot.

The forward, who departed Roar for Germany’s SV Darmstardt 98 at the conclusion of the campaign was equally potent off both feet, hassled and harried defenders and showed an eye for the spectacular, best demonstrated by his winning goal against Victory in round 24, when he fashioned a dipping volley over Lawrence Thomas from outside the box.

2016/17 was Thomas Broich’s final season in Brisbane brining to a close an era which saw the German midfielder make 181 appearances for the club, win two A-League titles, two Johnny Warren Medals and three Gary Wilkins Medals.

Fullback, Corey Brown was crowned as the club’s Gary Wilkins Medallist after playing a key role in the backline throughout the season.

In his first A-League season, former Australian under-17 captain, Joe Caletti was thrust into the starting side after injury forced Matt McKay to the sidelines. He impressed greatly in his ten appearances (including half an hour off the bench in the semi-final against Victory), showing composure beyond his years.

Caletti was one of a number of youngsters to enjoy a breakthrough campaign, with the likes of Connor O’Toole, Kye Rowles and Dane Ingham debuting throughout 2016/17.

Roar competed in the AFC Champions League for the fourth time with arguably their finest moment of the season coming in a 2-0 qualifying round win over a Shanghai Shenhua side who contained Carlos Tevez in China.

Roar went on to finish fourth in Group E behind Kashima Antlers, Muangthong United and Ulsan Hyundai.

In the Australia Cup Roar were eliminated in the Round of 32 by Perth Glory at Ballymore Stadium.

Brisbane Roar 2016/17 A-League Men Season
Position: 3rd
Wins: 11
Losses: 7
Draws: 9
Goals scored: 43
Goals Conceded: 37
Captain: Matt McKay

Top Goalscorers:
Jamie Maclaren: 20 goals
Brett Holman: 5 goals
Thomas Kristensen: 4 goals
Brandon Borello: 4 goals
Thomas Broich: 2 goals
Nicholas D’Agostino: 2 goals

BRFC 2016/17 A-League Men’s squad:

Goalkeepers: 1. Michael Theoklitos, 21. Jamie Young

Defenders: 3. Luke DeVere, 4. Daniel Bowles, 5. Corey Brown, 6. Avraam Papadopoulos, 13. Jade North, 19. Jack Hingert, 24. Connor O’Toole, 25. Kye Rowles,

Midfielders: 7. Thomas Kristensen, 8. Jacob Pepper, 10. Brett Holman, 11. Tommy Oar, 15. Manuel Arana, 16. Nathan Konstandopoulos, 17. Matt McKay, 22. Thomas Broich, 29. Joe Caletti

Forwards: 9. Jamie Maclaren, 20. Shannon Brady, 26, Nicholas D’Agostino, 28. Brandon Borrello, 33. Joey Katebian

Head Coach: John Aloisi

Award Winners:
Gary Wilkins Medal: Corey Brown
Player’s Player of the Year: Jamie Maclaren
BRFC Breakthrough Player of the Year: Joe Caletti
A-League Golden Boot: Jamie Maclaren
A-League Young Player of the Year: Jamie Maclaren