Brisbane Roar is excited to announce the re-signing of Brazilian forward Mariel Hecher for her third Liberty A-League season.
Since joining the Roar for the 2020/2021 campaign, Hecher has become a mainstay and creative outlet for the club, registering 26 appearances and scoring 6 goals in that time.
Hecher is excited to return to the Liberty A-League for another season and take on an increased leadership role with Head Coach Garrath McPherson’s Queensland based squad.
“I’m always excited to go back to the Roar. It’s where everyone wants to play so I’m really grateful for another opportunity,” Hecher said.
“I feel like last year I had a bit more of a senior role just because we had such a young squad even though it was just my second season, but I’m always keen to help the young players and help the team as much as I can.”
Hecher is also looking forward to a second season working with McPherson
“It was amazing to work with him last season, he’s such a patient and really nice guy.”
Introduced to the 11-a-side game by local club Lions FC, Hecher has been a key factor in the side’s success since 2019.
In her time at Lions FC, Hecher has won multiple team and individual honours as one of the most dynamic players in the NPL Queensland competition.
To date she has been a part of 3 Premierships, 3 Grand Final wins and a Kappa Women’s Super-Cup title with a Lions side on the verge of another Premiership and in the Cup final next month.
“We were playing good football, and the results weren’t coming early but I feel like we clicked at the end of the year, so we can hopefully build upon that with some of the same players back again,” Hecher said.
Hecher will be reunited with several familiar faces in the Liberty A-League squad, including Roar captain and Lions teammate Eash Norrie and Hecher will be counting that familiarity to help the side get off to a fast start.
“The longer you play together the more you know the players and the easier it is to play with them.”
“So, if you gel on and off the field you can bring the outside relationships into the team and it makes it a lot easier to adapt. It’s quite exciting to have them back for sure!”
Brisbane Roar Head Coach Garrath McPherson is eager to welcome Hecher back into the fold for what she can offer the team both on and off the pitch.
“Mariel showed last campaign her positive, competitive mindset allows her to contribute to the teams’ success in a variety of positions,” McPherson said.
“Her work rate was an asset in the midfield and her creativity was on show as a wide striker.”
“She is a wonderful person who contributes to the culture of our environment. I really value her humility and her ability to have a laugh at herself.”
CONFIRMED LIBERTY A-LEAGUE SQUAD FOR 2022/2023:
Eash Norrie (Lions FC)
Hollie Palmer (Capalaba FC)
Shea Connors (APIA Leichhardt)
Larissa Crummer (Capalaba FC)
Sharn Freier (Moreton Bay United)
Mariel Hecher (Lions FC)
