This time last year I did the exact same thing. I went through the Roar roaster and picked through the bones of the worst season in the clubs A League history. There weren't many positives from a season that included the demise of a drink driving coach, the dismantling of the squad as we limped to the end of the season finishing second last. It was a difficult challenge trying to find positives but I remained unwavering in my support for the Roar and the new regime.
This year it is with great delight that I review the squad's performance after a campaign of unprecedented success and revolutionising the league in terms of tactics, style of play and domination that lead Brisbane Roar to winning the league and anything else that was on offer. It truly was a season to savour and left all the Roarites lamenting a long offseason as we crave more exciting football the likes of which that was provided in Version 6 of the A league.
Thus here is part one of the season review, which is going to be a more joyous affair than last season.
1 - Michael Theoklitos - GK - Theo's time at Norwich is just a distant memory now as he has easily erased that nightmare with a beautiful dream that was his latest season with the Brisbane Roar. Theo was part of a league best defence and highlighted his season with two astonishing saves in the penalty shootout in the Final at Suncorp. In my opinion he is solid and more than anything the team benefited from his organisational expertise and shouting instructions from the keeper's box. However another reason we had such a great defensive record was because Brisbane kept control of the ball for the majority of the games. This in no way should diminish Theo's record as when he was called upon he stood tall and thoroughly deserves his Keeper of the year award and being part of the PFA team of the year. In addition he broke the record by going 876 minutes without conceding a goal and has equalled the clean sheet record with Matt Ryan from the Mariners. Theo appeared in 33 games in a campaign that will remember for a long time as one of the greats.
Roar Rating - 8.5 / 10
20 - Andrew Redmayne - GK - I kind of feel sorry for Andrew as he was one of the first signings for the Roar and looked like a solid choice as number 1 keeper, until we signed Theo. That signing limited him to a cameo appearance in the last game of the regular season against GCU which managed to raise the ire of Michael Thwaite. The under 23 Olyroo rep is under contract until the end of next season, but he finds himself warming the bench at another a league club behind a great number 1 goal keeper.
Roar Rating - 2.5 / 10
2 - Matt Smith - Def - I remember watching Matt Smith play for the Fury in the previous A League campaign. He was hungry desperate and made a swathe of last ditch tackles to save North Queensland on numerous occasions. He was playing for the Strikers and at the time was cursing Frank Farina for dropping the ball and not picking him up. A drink driving charge and North Queensland dropping the ball later Matt came back to Brisbane to wear Oranje and has not looked back. 33 games and 2 goals for the Roar this season as well as a PFA Centre back in the A League all star team. He is the rock at the back for the Roar and has continued to play solidly all campaign. I can not speak more highly of his contribution to our outstanding season, and he has filled the shoes of Craig Moore easily.
Roar Rating - 9 / 10
3 - Luke Devere - Def - It was a sad occasion when Luke played his last game for the Roar at Skilled Stadium. Ange subbed him off towards the end, and the small amount of spectators at the stadium gave him a standing ovation for his short but prominent stint at Brisbane Roar. Before Luke's departure he was continually improving as a player, progressing every season as a Roar player. This season he added the skill and the will to take the ball forward setting up some goals with his Beckenbauer-esque jaunts up the field. He played 26 games and scored 1 goal as well as securing a place in the PFA all star team. Along with Matt Smith the formed a formidable combination in central defence that help bring trophies to Brisbane's once empty cabinet.
Roar Rating - 8.5 / 10
4 - Shane Stefanutto - Def - One of the prominent characteristics of the Roar's game plan was the attacking nature of the wing backs used by Ange. Getting Steff during the offseason was a major coup. Not only getting a left sided player but also getting a ton of experience and a leader at the club. Steff ended up playing the bulk of the games missing a few through injury. At times Steff was a little slow but was always hard working and a calming figure on the field. He combined to form one of the most feared left sides of the field in the league, Steff, Mckay and Broich.
Roar Rating - 7 / 10
5 - Ivan Franjic - Ivan showed glimpses of potential when Farina first brought him to the club. This year Ange's structure and discipline has turned him into the premier wing back of the league as he made the PFA all star team. People often mused if he was playing as a left winger rather than a full back, but who cares when he gets forward quickly and gets back just as quick. One of the highlights of the year was Franjic's rocket of a goal against the Mariners at Suncorp as he unleashed a thunderbolt that cut through a pack of players and almost burst through the back of the net. Ivan did miss some games through injury, but he is still relatively young and his future is bright as many people talk about him as a Socceroo possibility.
Roar Rating - 8.5 / 10
12 - Matt Mundy - Def - Continued to fill the roster as a substitute and bit part player, but when required was not out of place on the field. Matt played some games at right back when Franjic was injured and in my opinion has improved this year compared to previous campaigns. I would be quite happy for him to continue to fill the roster as a capable back up.
Roar Rating - 6 / 10
16 - Daniel Bowles - Bowles was drafted into the squad to replace Luke Devere towards the end of the season. He played no part in the senior squad but was a valued and integral part of the youth team. Bowles represented the under 19 Socceroos at the AFC under 19 championships where the came in 2nd to North Korea.
Roar Rating - 3 / 10
23 - Milan Susak - Milan was first person off the bench initially for defensive duties. As the season went on however he filled in a right back and centre back as was required. When Luke Devere departed Milan was set to start in his more customary centre back roll. Initially I was worried that we would lose something with Luke leaving, but Susak soon put those fears to rest as he more than ably deputised at the end and into the finals. He played 29 games for the Oranje and his contribution was immense at the business end of proceedings. After the season ended he left to go to the IPL in Indonesia to Minangkabau fc and continues his unbeaten streak at 31.
Roar Rating - 7.5 / 10
TBC
