Brisbane Roar make the trip to Ironbark Fields to face Western United in their final match of 2024 in Isuzu UTE A-League Round 10 action on Sunday afternoon.
Roar look to kickstart their 2024/25 campaign with three points in their first A-League Menās match at Westernās new home ground.
Western United, start the weekend in sixth position on the league table and come into Sundayās clash after handing league leaders, Auckland their first defeat with a 4-0 win at Go Media Stadium in their last outing.
Conversely Roar aim to head into 2025 on a high after suffering a defeat at the hands of Perth Glory last weekend.
One bright spark from Saturdayās match was another strong performance from 17-year-old central defender, Lucas Herrington on his home debut.
Ruben Zadkovich will be forced into a defensive reshuffle for Sundayās match after it was confirmed Herringtonās partner in the heart of defence, Ben Warland suffered a season ending ACL injury in the first half against Perth.
Another youngster looking to put in a big shift for Brisbane will be Thomas Waddingham, whose return of four goals is only bettered by Kosta Barbarouses and Brandon Borrello (five goals) this season.
Sundayās match kicks off at 4pm AEST and is part of a double header which sees Roarās A-League Women also go up against Western from 6:45pm AEST.
WHAT WAS SAID
“Obviously, the boys are disappointed with the recent results and we’re looking forward to getting back out there and trying to put things right on Sunday.
It’s a massive game for us and we all know in this league, it can quickly change when you get a few wins on the board.” – Jay O’Shea
TEAM NEWS
Roar have been dealt a blow with Ben Warland unfortunately ruled out for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign after suffering an ACL injury in the first half of last weekendās clash against Perth Glory.
The club will be supporting Ben in every way possible throughout his rehabilitation period.
Coming into the extended squad for Saturdayās trip to Tarneit is Ben Halloran, who missed last weekendās match with Perth through illness as well as Joe Caletti and Sam Klein.
Western United captain Ben Garuccio is poised to return for the home side after missing their last four outings with a calf injury.
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Macklin FREKE (GK), 6. Joe CALETTI, 8. Walid SHOUR, 10. Florin BERENGUER, 11. Neicer ACOSTA, 12. Lucas HERRINGTON, 15. Hosine BILITY, 16. Thomas WADDINGHAM, 17. Harry VAN DER SAAG, 18. Jacob BRAZETE, 19. Jack HINGERT, 21. Antonee BURKE-GILROY, 23. Keegan JELACIC, 24. Sam KLEIN, 26. Jay OāSHEA (C), 27. Ben HALLORAN, 29. Matt ACTON (GK), 30. Quinn MACNICOL, 35. Louis ZABALA, 43. Adam ZIMARINO (Two to be omitted)
Ins: 6. Joe CALETTI, 24. Sam KLEIN, 27. Ben HALLORAN
Outs: 4. Ben WARLAND (knee)
Unavailable: 4. Ben WARLAND (knee)
Western United squad: 1. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (gk), 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Ramy NAJJARINE, 9. Hiroshi IBUSUKI, 10. Matthew GRIMALDI, 13. Tate RUSSELL, 14. Jake NAJDOVSKI, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 19. Noah BOTIC, 20. Abel WALATEE, 22. Kane VIDMAR, 23. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 24. Michael RUHS, 29. Charbel SHAMOON, 30. Dylan LEONARD, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Matthew SUTTON (gk), 34. James YORK, 44. Jordan LAUTON, 77. Riku DANZAKI (Two to be omitted)
Ins: 17. Ben GARUCCIO (returns from injury), 34. James YORK
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 4. James DONACHIE (injured), 21. Sebastian PASQUALI (injured), 43. Khoder KADDOUR (injured)
LAST TIME WE MET
A 91st minute Jonas Markovski equaliser saw Brisbane take a share of the spoils in 2-2 draw when the sides last met at Suncorp Stadium in February.
Thomas Waddingham was also on target for Roar as they fought back against a Western side who lead twice through strikes from Nikita Rukavysta and Noah Botic.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Played: 11
Brisbane Roar wins: 3
Western United wins: 6
Draws: 2
MATCH DETAILS
Isuzu UTE A-League Men 2024/25 – Round 10: Western United v Brisbane Roar
Ironbark Fields, Tarneit
Sunday, 29 December (4:00pm AEST KO)
