The A-League state of origin match-up offers the ideal platform for the 29-year-old German schemer to showcase his wares to a home gallery and underline Barbarouses’s claims that Roar have picked up an A-League gem.

Two weeks ago, in game week one of the A-League, it was Broich who caught the eye with a display of invention and vision on a day when the remodeled Brisbane Roar outshone their rivals Gold Coast United at Skilled Park.

The 0-0 draw hinted of better times under Roar’s new coach Ange Postecoglou who has dramatically reshaped the squad in the off-season with Shane Stefanutto, Erik Paartalu and Matt Smith part of the new-boy brigade.

Ahead of Roar’s first home game of the season at a vuvuzela-less Suncorp Stadium, Barbarouses is quietly confident the former German U/21 and Borussia Moenchengladbach player will again prove Roar’s go-to man.

“He’s a great player. Technically he’s very sound and a great touch. He’s the sort of player who can put through those killer balls,” Barbarouses, 20, told au.fourfourtwo.com.

“He’s really good to play with. He’s looking really good and he speaks perfect English, which really helps.

“Nicky’s sort of our Thomas [Broich]. He’s their matchwinner who’s going to put the killer pass through for guys like Brosque who’s obviously done so well over the years.”

Broich clearly suits the open, fluent brand of football Postecoglou is trying to institute in Brisbane after an off-season clear-out that included Danny Tiatto and Craig Moore.  

And the beneficiaries of Broich are a forward line that’s got pace, guile and power with the likes of Barbarouses, Reinaldo, Mitch Nichols and Henrique.

Barbarouses played down the effect of a bye on the squad so early in the season while stats suggest Roar might cause more damage to the winless sky blues.

Brisbane have lost only once to Sydney in the past 10 encounters between the clubs.

“We want to play a good brand of football. If you saw the first game against Gold Coast we like to pass the ball around and quickly and we want our full backs to push on," said Kosta.

“I hope we keep it up and keep getting better. There were encouraging signs in the Gold Coast and they [Sydney FC] haven’t had the best of starts.

"I think we’re in with a really good chance on Saturday – if we take our chances.”