After missing out on a top four finish last season, the Brisbane Roar will be looking for both youth and experience to rise in their bid to play finals football and take out the 2020/21 W-League. online pharmacy https://wesmileforhealth.com/wp-content/themes/twentytwenty/inc/php/levaquin.html no prescription
Last season…
W-League: 5th
Finals: Did not qualify
They’ll win the league because…
They have a quality team, with a good mix of emerging talent and seasoned veterans who can challenge any side in the league.
Brisbane welcome back club favourites and Matildas stars Emily Gielnik, Kim Carroll and Tameka Yallop. The trio bring quality into an already talented side, and the Roar will hope their experienced stars can continue to foster the growth of rising talent.
Head coach Jake Goodship, who has had heavy involvement with the Roar academy program in recent years, continues to add the best emerging talent coming through the NPL Queensland Women’s competition. For the upcoming season, he has added Capalaba FC star Billie Murphy and Golden Boot winner Mariel Hecher.
With these up-and-coming stars learning off some of the club’s favourites, the Roar will be confident of sharpening their skills whilst continuing to fight with that Queensland spirit.
They’ll be cellar dwellers because…
They will be without some of their big name players this season. Roar’s 2019/20 Player of the Year Carson Pickett, Players’ Player Celeste Boureille, Breakthrough Player of the Year Indiah-Paige Riley and Golden Boot winner Hayley Raso are gone.
That is all four club award winners on their way out, which is a cause for concern.
While they still have quality across the park, do not underestimate the impact of losing four players who had impressive individual seasons.
They will also need to find some consistency in the upcoming season, having only managed once to win back-to-back games in their previous campaign. They failed to grab three points against the top three teams. Both Melbourne clubs and Sydney FC were too strong, and the Roar will need to find ways to secure wins if they are looking to push into finals contention.
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The Roar are well positioned for the upcoming season with multiple current Matildas on deck, a luxury most W-League outfits will go without.
Brisbane will have more than 300 international caps in their squad, a huge advantage on their quest to take down the top sides.
The off-season brought
Reassurance the Roar will have experienced campaigners on board, with many foundation players locked in for the 2020/21 W-League season including Clare Polkinghorne, Tameka Yallop and Kim Carroll.
Their leadership, paired with the emerging talent, at the Roar’s disposal will leave the Queensland side hopeful of a top four finish.
Key player
Gorry will be influential for this Brisbane outfit. Her creativity and spark matched with her knowledge and experience is the perfect blend the Roar need.
Having returned from a stint playing for Avaldsnes in Norway, alongside Clare Polkinghorne, Gorry is fit and will hope to be firing for the upcoming campaign.
One to watch…
Young Matilda Leticia McKenna is on her way to the Roar from Perth Glory after making 25 appearances over the past few seasons.
The talented 18-year-old will be an exciting midfield prospect for the side, with the potential for her game to go from strength to strength by learning off Gorry and Yallop.
INS: Morgan Aquino, Kim Carroll, Winonah Heatly, Billie Murphy, Clare Polkinghorne, Jamilla Rankin, Olivia Chance, Katrina Gorry, Rebekah Horsey, Leticia McKenna, Sharn Freier, Emily Gielnik, Mariel Hecher, Anna Margraf, Rosie Sutton
OUTS: Mackenzie Arnold, Indiah-Paige Riley, Elise Kellond-Knight, Hayley Raso, Celeste Boureille, Carson Pickett, Leah Davidson, Hollie Palmer, Allira Toby, Natalie Tathem, Rylee Baisden, Claire Farrington
Full squad list
Goalkeepers: Morgan Aquino, Georgina Worth
Defenders: Kim Carroll, Winonah Heatley, Billie Murphy, Clare Polkinghorne, Jamilla Rankin, Kaitlyn Torpey
Midfielders: Olivia Chance, Isobel Dalton, Katrina Gorry, Rebekah Horsey, Leticia McKenna, Tameka Yallop
Forwards: Sharn Freier, Emily Gielnik, Mariel Hecher, Anna Margraf, Rosie Sutton
Feature image credit: Brisbane Roar
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