We are finally here. After 105 days of pre-season training, which included 67 training sessions, your Brisbane Roar Men will run out on Friday night against Macarthur Bulls FC to kick off their 25/26 campaign.
Having played 14 pre-season matches, which included community fixtures, matchups against A-League opposition and a trip to the Solomon Islands, Michael Valkanis will no doubt be aiming to begin his reign as Head Coach with three points.
Standing is his team’s way, is a Macarthur Bulls FC side who will be wanting to ruin the party at home, who currently boast a nine game unbeaten run against the Roar.
WHAT WAS SAID
“Michael knows what he wants. He has a real presence around the group. He is very detailed in his approach to football and it’s because of this that everyone is really on the same page.
“You’re going to have a team that works hard, that’s going to give everything for the badge, for Brisbane and leave nothing left on the pitch.
“That comes from the top, from the Board (Zac and Kaz) pushing that environment, the Boss pushing it everyday and the group buying into it.”
TEAM NEWS
Brisbane Roar has locked in its Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s squad for Friday night’s season opener against Macarthur FC at Suncorp Stadium.
Since taking the reigns in May, new Brisbane Roar Head Coach Michael Valkanis has overhauled the squad bringing in no less than 11 new faces as he aims to bring ‘the roar back into Brisbane’.
Off season signings Dean Bouzanis, Youstin Salas, Dimitri Valkanis, Chris Long, Georgios Vrakas, Matthew Dench, Justin Vidic, Michael Ruhs, James McGarry, Jordan Lauton, Milorad Stajic and B Team graduate Noah Maieroni are all in the mix to make their competitive debut for the club in Friday’s season opener.
Austin Ludwik, Ben Halloran and Nathan Amanatidis will unfortunately be sidelined for Round 1 due to a groin injury and leg injury respectively.
Brisbane Roar Squad: 1. Dean BOUZANIS (GK), 2. Youstin Delfin SALAS GOMEZ, 3. Dimitri VALKANIS, 7. Jacob BRAZETE, 8. Samuel KLEIN, 9. Christopher LONG, 10. Georgios VRAKAS, 11. Macklin FREKE (GK), 12. Lucas HERRINGTON, 13. Henry HORE, 15. Hosine BIILITY, 16.Matthew DENCH, 17. Justin VIDIC, 19. Michael RUHS, 21. Antonee BURKE-GILROY, 23. James McGARRY, 26. James O’SHEA (C), 31.Noah MAIERONI, 44.Jordan LAUTON, 77. Milorad STAJIC (two to be omitted)
Ins: Nil
Out: Nil
Unavailable: 6.Austin LUDWIK (groin), 22. Nathan AMANATIDIS (quad), 27. Benjamin HALLORAN (knee)
MATCH DETAILS
Isuzu UTE A-League 2025/26 – Round 1: Brisbane Roar FC vs Macarthur FC
Suncorp Stadium, Milton
Friday, 17 October (8:05pm AEST KO)
TICKETS
