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Ayesha Norrie ready for milestone match

It will be a full circle moment for Brisbane Roar’s Liberty A-League captain Ayesha Norrie when she takes to AJ Kelly Park for her 50th match for the club on Saturday.

The 25-year-old made her debut on 9 November 2013 against Canberra United at AJ Kelly Park.

Norrie, who was just 16 at the time, came on for current teammate and Matildas midfielder Katrina Gorry in the 60th minute.

On Saturday, Norrie will return to the Kippa-Ring venue as she pulls on the Roar jersey for the 50th time.

It has been quite the journey for the talented midfielder who went on to make six more appearances for Roar in her first season at the club.

She’d then make 19 more appearances over the next two seasons including playing in an empathic penalty shootout semi-final against Melbourne City during the 2015/16 season.

While Norrie has also had stints at Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory, the two-time NPL Women’s Team of the Season recipient decided to return home ahead of the 2021/22 Liberty A-League season.

“Well, Brisbane is home,” she said. “I feel very lucky to have a club here that is supportive and feels like home with the players and coaching staff.”

Reaching the 50 game milestone for Roar, wasn’t one Norrie had seen approaching leading into this weekend’s match.

“It is very special because I started here as a youngster,” Norrie said.

“To get this milestone is huge and I’ve played at other clubs but to come home and achieve it here, it is special,” she added.

Norrie has enjoyed many memorable moments with the Brisbane side including winning the 2017/18 Premiership at Suncorp Stadium and also reminisced about playing in the 2013/14 Grand Final against Melbourne Victory.

“Those were two pretty big games I played in and got to be a part of,” she said.

“It’s actually pretty humbling that when I was younger, I looked up to players like Mini (Katrina Gorry), Polk (Clare Polkinghorne) and Kim Carrol, and now I get to captain alongside Katrina for a second time.

“It feels like a full circle moment,” Norrie added.

With attention on this weekend’s match, Roar is looking to get back into form when they take on the Wanderers after two losses on the road.

For the captain, she has her eyes firmly set on leading the team to finals football.

“We want to make the top four and be up there to make finals,” Norrie said. “My goal this year would be obviously to win it,” she laughed.

Brisbane Roar would like to congratulate Ayesha Norrie on her milestone.