Academy graduate George Plusnin headlined nine players making their Brisbane Roar A-League Men debut as a new-look Roar opened their 2026/27 A-League Men campaign with a 2-1 win over Perth Glory at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
The 18-year-old goalkeeper was handed the gloves for the season opener, lining up alongside Nam Tae-hee, Joel King, Tate Russell, Sabit Ngor, Tyrese Francois and Virgiliu Postolachi, who all started. Marko Ilic and Jacob Nasso made their Roar A-League Men debuts off the bench, as the club handed out caps 248 to 256.
Justin Vidic opened the scoring in the 28th minute and Nam doubled the lead with a spectacular volley three minutes before half-time. Matt Ellis pulled one back for the Glory on the hour, but the Roar held on in front of 6,497 fans.
“I was really happy with the first half,” Head Coach Michael Valkanis said. “We worked a lot on that part of the game. We want to be pressing, aggressive, but play good football and create more opportunities than we did last season.”
Plusnin’s big night
Plusnin’s debut as cap #252 was the culmination of a journey that began as a Brisbane City junior and ran through several seasons in the Roar B Team set-up.
He made his NPL Queensland starting debut in goal for the B Team at just 16, and this year represented the Australian U20s at the AFF Championships in Indonesia. Ahead of the new season he signed a four-year scholarship deal with the club he grew up supporting.
“I’m super grateful to sign with my childhood club,” Plusnin said at the time. “It’s something I’ve always dreamed of and means a lot to me.”
On Friday night he was composed throughout as the Roar kept Perth at arm’s length for long periods. Glory’s best openings came from Pieter Jacobsz, who fired into the side-netting in the first half, and Stefan Colakovski, who missed the target when through one-on-one in the 75th minute.
The only goal he conceded came when a back-pass was cut out by Ellis, who finished with his first touch seconds after coming off the bench.
Six more new faces from the start
Nam Tae-hee (cap #250) stole the headlines with the goal of the night. The 35-year-old South Korean international, who has 54 caps and won bronze at the London 2012 Olympics, volleyed into the top corner from the edge of the box in the 42nd minute. “This guy was what we were missing last season,” Valkanis said.
Tate Russell (cap #254) made the opener. The right-back, who joined on a two-year deal after spells at Western Sydney Wanderers, Western United and Wollongong Wolves, raced down the right and slipped a low cross across for Vidic to tap home.
Joel King (cap #249) brought Socceroos and FIFA World Cup experience to the left side of defence. The former Sydney FC defender made more than 125 A-League appearances for the Sky Blues, winning two Championships and a Premiership.
Sabit Ngor (cap #251) was a constant threat on the wing. The former Central Coast Mariners attacker, who scored six goals in 25 appearances last season, created a string of chances before making way in the 75th minute.
Tyrese Francois (cap #248) went close to a debut goal when Tom Aldred teed him up, only for his strike from outside the box to fly just wide. The Campbelltown-born midfielder came through the Fulham academy, made his Premier League debut for the club and most recently played for Wigan Athletic.
Virgiliu Postolachi (cap #253) led the line in the number nine shirt for 65 minutes. The Moldova international has 37 caps and came through the Paris Saint-Germain academy before joining from Romanian Superliga club Universitatea Cluj.
Two more off the bench
Marko Ilic (cap #255) replaced Postolachi in the 65th minute for his Roar A-League Men debut, and Jacob Nasso (cap #256) came on for Russell in the 79th minute. Emin Durakovic was named on the bench but is still waiting for his debut.
Tom Aldred also marked his return to the club by leading the side as captain, after two seasons in India.
The Roar return to action against Auckland FC on Friday 30 October and you can buy your tickets here NOW.
Match details
A-League Men, Matchweek 2: Brisbane Roar 2 (Vidic 28′, Nam 42′) Perth Glory 1 (Ellis 60′)
Suncorp Stadium, Friday 23 October 2026. Attendance: 6,497.
Brisbane Roar: George Plusnin (GK), Tom Aldred (C), Noah Maieroni, Tyrese Francois (Nathan Amanatidis 75′), Virgiliu Postolachi (Marko Ilic 65′), Nam Tae-hee, Tate Russell (Jacob Nasso 79′), Joel King, Justin Vidic, Sabit Ngor (Emmett Shaw 75′), Milorad Stajic (Hosine Bility 65′).
Unused substitutes: Dean Bouzanis (GK), Emin Durakovic.
