Brisbane Roar are back at Perry Park this weekend on the hunt for three points against Newcastle Jets in Pride Round.
After an interrupted game week last weekend due to Cyclone Alfred, the squad are raring to go and will be determined to put on a show in front of home support.
WHAT WAS SAID
Mariel Hecher looks forward to getting back into the swing of things with Round 19 against the Newcastle Jets for Pride Round.
“It was a bit scary in a sense but in a physical perspective the staffing group made sure we had something to do at home,” Hecher said.
“It was kind of sad that we didn’t get to play last weekend, we’re always excited to be in front of our fans. Brisbane always shows up and play the extra player for us.”
“It’s always a physical fight, they’re a great team. Even though we had a good result against them, we know it’s not going to be a simple game.”
LAST TIME WE MET
In their last meeting, Brisbane Roar defeated Newcastle Jets in a massive 6-1 victory on the road at No.2 Sportsground in Round 7.
17-year-old striker Grace Kuilamu opened the scoring, after an electric run saw her strike the back of the net in just the second minute of the match.
In the 32nd minute, Newcastle Jets’ Cass Davis equalised but just moments later Tamar Levin snatched back the lead with a header off Laini Freier’s corner.
In her first start for the club, Laini Freier scored her debut goal in the 42nd minute via a low driven pass from her sister, Sharn Freier.
Midfield powerhouse Momo Hayashi scored an absolute worldie from a long range free kick to make it 4-1 after both sides returned from the break.
20-year-old Young Matildas striker Tanaye Morris made her debut for Brisbane Roar in the 62nd minute and made an instant impact off the bench by crossing the ball in for Laini Freier to score a brace.
Laini Freier secured a hat trick in the 72nd minute after her sister, once again, crossed it in for her to nestle it into the top of the net to make it 6-1 away from home.
TEAM NEWS
Evdokia Popadinova has been named in the extended squad after overcoming a hamstring injury that has kept her sidelined since Round 16 against Western United.
Goalkeeper Emma Gibbon returns to the 18-player squad with Olivia Sekany returning to the States earlier this week after being recalled by her parent club, Racing Louisville FC.
The club’s newest recruit, Amali Kinsella, will look for more valuable match minutes after making her Brisbane Roar debut in Round 17 against Sydney FC.
Brisbane Roar Squad: 1. Keeley RICHARDS, 3. Deborah-Anne DE LA HARPE, 5. Amali KINSELLA, 6. Holly MCQUEEN, 7. Momo HAYASHI, 8. Mariel HECHER, 9. Danelle TAN, 10. Grace KUILAMU, 13. Tameka YALLOP, 14. Zara KRUGER, 17. Evdokia POPADINOVA, 18. Emily PRINGLE, 19. Laini FREIER, 20. Tanaye MORRIS, 22. Ruby CUTHBERT, 23. Isabela Hoyos 32. Alicia WOODS, 99. Emma GIBBON
Ins: 17. Evdokia POPADINOVA, 99. Emma GIBBON
Outs: 12. Tamar LEVIN, 33. Olivia SEKANY (departed the club)
Unavailable: 4. Kijah STEPHENSON (ACL), 11. Sharn FREIER (ankle), 16. Chelsea BLISSETT (leg injury)
MATCH DETAILS
Ninja A-League 2024/25 – Round 19: Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets
Perry Park, Bowen Hills
Sunday, 16 March (5:30pm AEST KO)
TICKETS
