Brisbane Roar are back at Perry Park for their Round 15 clash against Melbourne Victory this Saturday evening as they look to secure another three points in front of home fans.
Brisbane are on a run of strong results after holding out a then second-placed Perth Glory to a 0-0 draw and dominating a then fourth-placed Western Sydney Wanderers in a 3-1 victory last week. This will fuel their determination for another three points, especially in front of home support.
WHAT WAS SAID
Head Coach Alex Smith is pleased to finally see his side’s hard work paying off after a 3-1 win over Western Sydney last weekend. Although some strong results, Smith believes there is still work to be done as his squad look for a big three points at home this Saturday.
“It was very pleasing for us, a great result away from home against a team that was in red-hot form. I thought we got what we deserved out of the game, these things take time and starting to see some of the results come through in the last three/four games so that’s pleasing from a coaching standpoint,” Smith said.
“Still plenty of work to do and looking forward to giving Victory a run for their money this weekend,” he added.
“They’ve got a lot of really good quality players; I think their team has changed a bit since round 1 as well. Jeff is an experienced man; he’s been in the league a long time. A lot of quality players across the pitch but very confident in our girls as a team that we can get the job done on Saturday.”
LAST TIME WE MET
Last time Roar were up against Victory was back in Round 1 where they displayed an entertaining 2-1 win over the hosts in Melbourne.
16-year-old Grace Kuilamu scored a stunner on debut after a cross from Sharn Freier to open the scoring in the 49th minute.
In the 70th minute, Jenna McCormick scored a strong header off a free kick from Hollie Palmer to make it 2-0.
Ella O’Grady managed to get Victory on the scoreboard in stoppage time to snatch the clean sheet from Brisbane.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Games: 17
Brisbane win: 7
Victory win: 5
Draws: 5
KEY STATS – brought to you by Opta
- Brisbane Roar FC are undefeated in their last four A-League Women games against the Melbourne Victory (W2 D2) despite not keeping a clean sheet in that period; they were held to a 1-all draw in their last meeting at Perry Park.
- The Melbourne Victory have won only one of their last six A-League Women games (D2 L3) after winning four of their six previous games in the competition (D2); each of their last two wins in the competition have come against Canberra United.
- Brisbane Roar FC will be aiming for back-to-back wins in the A-League Women in Queensland for the first time since March 2021, following their 2-1 win against Wellington Phoenix in their last game in their home state (7 January 2024).
- Tameka Yallop (Brisbane Roar FC) has been directly involved in five goals across her last five A-League Women matches (2 goals, 3 assists); she’s scored one goal in each of her last two games in the competition against Melbourne Victory.
- Rachel Lowe (Melbourne Victory) has scored exactly one goal in each of her last four A-League Women matches; although, she’s not scored a goal across her last nine games in the competition against Brisbane Roar FC.
INS AND OUTS
- Keeley RICHARDS, 2. Rebecca KIRKUP, 3. Deborah-Anne DE LA HARPE, 4. Kijah STEPHENSON, 5. Jenna MCCORMICK, 6. Holly MCQUEEN, 7. Ayesha NORRIE (C), 8. Mariel HECHER, 9. Mia CORBIN, 11. Sharn FREIER, 12. Tamar LEVIN, 13. Tameka YALLOP, 14. Sarah O’DONOGHUE, 18. Teagan THOMPSON, 19. Hollie PALMER, 20. Bonnie DAVIES, Ruby CUTHBERT, 23. Ashlee BRODIGAN, 29. Jordan SILKOWITZ (GK), 32. Alicia WOODS
INS: 23. Ashlee BRODIGAN
OUTS:
UNAVAILABLE: 10. Grace KUILAMU 15. Hannah HOLGERSEN 16. Chelsea BLISSETT
MATCH DETAILS
Liberty A-League Women 2023/24 – Round 15: Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory
Perry Park, Brisbane
Saturday, 3 February (5:00pm AEST KO)
