Head Coach Jake Goodship says the prospect of a home Semi Final is all the motivation his Brisbane Roar players need going into this Sunday’s big Westfield W-League final round game against Newcastle Jets.
The match has an extra emotional edge to it with club greats Emily Gielnik and Clare Polkinghorne to pull on the orange for the last time before their switch to Sweden.
Should they both take to the pitch as anticipated this weekend, the pair would depart Brisbane with a combined 248 appearances for the Roar.
“It’s a big occasion in terms of that, but the biggest driving force behind it is us getting a win and getting a home Semi Final,” Goodship said.
“And that’s pushed by Polks and Em. The biggure picture is the home Semi Final. Unfortunately at the back end of it we’re losing Em and Polks. But for their careers, it’s a good move.”
.@clarepolks89 and @EGielnik are all set for their final round farewell after being named in the squad for tomorrow's crucial clash with @NewcastleJetsFC ⚔️
Ins & Outs ? https://t.co/y3Hxj1KEz2#WLeague #ForTheCrest pic.twitter.com/RWqvm3XA5j
— Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroar) March 27, 2021
Despite the challenges posed by the weather earlier in the week, Goodship said the side had prepared extremely well for the clash with the Jets.
“The week has been fantastic,” he said “With the wet weather and venue closures, we’ve been at Mitchelton Football Club training on the artificial area.
“We also went offsite to a different gym space to change the environment and make sure the players are fresh mentally. That worked really well.
“The last two days we’ve been back at Lions on the main pitch, which is an absolute pleasure.
“We’re ready to go, no new injuries, no concerns. We’re in a good space.”
Getting set for Sunday 💪 #WLeague #ForTheCrest pic.twitter.com/6MtU8yVkII
— Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroar) March 26, 2021
Sunday’s game is also an opportunity for fans to show their support for former Roar defender Rebekah Stott, who is continuing her BEAT IT mission to overcome Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
The Roar Corps will be collecting donations for the Leukaemia Foundation and are raffling several fantastic prizes donated by Roar players and partners.
Items include a Westfield Matildas jersey signed by Tameka Yallop, a Football Ferns jersey signed by Liv Chance, a signed Roar shirt and goodies from BASE Compression, Fuel Your Life, Brisbane Red Box Dry Cleaning and SportsPlus Physiotherapy.
CLICK HERE to purchase a raffle ticket and enter the running!
MATCH DETAILS
Westfield W-League 2020/21 Round 14: Brisbane Roar vs Newcastle Jets
Lions Stadium, Richlands
Sunday, 28 March (5:05pm kick-off)
Brisbane Roar squad: 1.Georgina WORTH (gk), 2.Kaitlyn TORPEY, 4.Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 6.Winonah HEATLEY, 7.Kim CARROLL, 8.Mariel HECHER, 11.Sharn FREIER, 12.Larissa CRUMMER, 13.Tameka YALLOP, 14.Leticia MCKENNA, 15.Emily GIELNIK, 16.Jamilla RANKIN, 19.Rebekah HORSEY, 21.Morgan AQUINO (gk), 22.Anna MARGRAF, 23.Isobel DALTON, 25.Olivia CHANCE **one to be omitted**
Ins: 22.Anna MARGRAF (promoted)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: 9.Rosie SUTTON (knee)
Newcastle Jets squad: 3.Jemma HOUSE, 4.Chloe O’BRIEN, 5.Alisha BASS, 6.Cassidy DAVIS, 7.Gema SIMON (c), 8.Evelyn CHRONIS, 9. Tara ANDREWS, 10.Pana PETRATOS, 11.Rhianna POLLICINA, 12.Tessa TAMPLIN, 13.Lauren ALLAN, 14.Tiana JABER, 15.Sophie HARDING, 16.Sunny FRANCO, 18.Taren KING, 20.Claire COELHO (gk), 30.Nicole SIMONSEN (gk) **ne to be omitted**
Ins: 8.Evelyn CHRONIS (promoted), 9. Tara ANDREWS (returns from ankle injury)
Outs: 2.Hannah BREWER (unavailable)
Unavailable: Nil
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on Sky Sport 7 (New Zealand), Kayo Sports (www.kayosports.com.au) and MyFootball Live App, Live Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers
CLICK HERE to purchase tickets
