The Roar Women return to Brisbane this weekend for their first home game of the season, nearly nine months since their last fixture on Queensland soil.
The Roar Women return to Brisbane this weekend for their first home game of the season, nearly nine months since their last fixture on Queensland soil.
Roar fans may well remember that February game, the Westfield W-League Semi-Final clash against Canberra United, which they won on penalties to put them through to their third consecutive Grand Final.
But for one player this weekend-s homecoming is just that little bit more special.
Roar striker Emily Gielnik will step onto the field at the Cleveland Showgrounds feeling very much at home having played much of her junior football career for Redlands United.
The homecoming is one of mixed emotions for Gielnik, who is well-known at the club.
“I feel like I have a bit of a reputation to uphold, so I-m a bit nervous but more than anything just excited,” Gielnik said.
“I grew up playing there so it-s one of my favourite places to be so I-m really happy and excited to be back playing there”.
Standing in the way of a fairytale return for the striker is the Newcastle Jets squad, who have recruited well over the break and will be feeling confident after a 3-0 win over Adelaide United last weekend.
“Talk throughout the team is that they-re the team to beat, they-ve got some really good players, some Matildas, and on paper they-re really strong,” Gielnik said.
“So we-ve just been working on playing out from the back and our finishing on counter attacks, plus we have a really big pitch at Cleveland so hopefully we can get the ball wide and get good distribution into the front third and hopefully finish well”.
There will be a few familiar faces in the new-look Newcastle side – one particularly known to the Roar is Lisa De Vanna who has moved clubs this season after starring in Brisbane-s Championship winning team last year.
But the thought of facing off against De Vanna is a welcome one to Gielnik and her team mates.
“I think that-s another thing that-s exciting about this game, not only is it our first home game but Lisa is one of the best in the world, so the fans are in for a treat,” she said.
“On a team level, we played with her last year, so we know her style and how she plays so hopefully that will be an advantage for us.
“She is very quick off the mark but because we played with her last year, we can hopefully read her moves and anticipate her runs”.
A not-so-familiar (but definitely not unknown) face on the pitch will be Westfield W-League newcomer and German national team defender Ariane Hingst.
A two-time FIFA Women-s World Cup winner, Hingst will no doubt bring a dominant presence to the defence line of the Jets, a fact not lost on Gielnik.
“I haven-t seen her play yet but I-ve heard good things.,” she said.
“I-m a bit nervous but I-m just going to play my game and can hopefully latch onto some through balls over the top and be a bit quicker than her and finish some off.
“Technically she will be very strong but hopefully my speed will be able to give me a bit of an advantage”.
Brisbane Roar Women will be in action this weekend, Saturday 5th November against Newcastle Jets, kicking off at 4:00pm at Cleveland Showgrounds, Waterloo Street, Cleveland. Gates open at 3:00pm.
Tickets are available at the Football Queensland office or at the gate. Adults $5, Concession $2, Brisbane Roar Members and children 14 and under free.
