WPM R11 @ Brisbane Roar | Sat 3rd Jan | 7:00pm | SS1

Roar are taking this game to Redcliffe. Sounds like a good crowd expected.

Western Grandstand all but sold out.

Den numbers looking very strong + Nix away section too.

With the Eastern stand continuing to sell and the weather looking favourable 🤞, we're in for an elite afternoon. pic.twitter.com/K6IdcccTZH

— Joseph Esposito (@josephesposito_) December 28, 2025

Have we played at this ground before?

Procrastinixing

Have we played at this ground before?

Yep. P4 W2 D1 L1

It is the stadium where the Roar moved to during 20/21 - 22/23 seasons.

TWO yellow cards in THREE seconds and Michael Valkanis is sent off 🔴

The Brisbane Roar boss gets a second yellow after ironically clapping his first.

Watch #CCMvBRI live and exclusive on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/lgQ1oOiKDn

— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) December 31, 2025

No Valkanis on the bench for Saturday.

RR

TWO yellow cards in THREE seconds and Michael Valkanis is sent off 🔴

The Brisbane Roar boss gets a second yellow after ironically clapping his first.

Watch #CCMvBRI live and exclusive on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/lgQ1oOiKDn

— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) December 31, 2025

No Valkanis on the bench for Saturday.

Lesson: A-League refs will turn a blind eye to holding and dangerous tackles, but don’t try irony on them.

Simon B

RR

TWO yellow cards in THREE seconds and Michael Valkanis is sent off 🔴

The Brisbane Roar boss gets a second yellow after ironically clapping his first.

Watch #CCMvBRI live and exclusive on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/lgQ1oOiKDn

— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) December 31, 2025

No Valkanis on the bench for Saturday.

Lesson: A-League refs will turn a blind eye to holding and dangerous tackles, but don’t try irony on them.

They have all different predilections. 

Alex King as VAR has a zero tolerance policy on holding Auckland players. You can tell him to F- off if you are from NSW or a Socceroo and he’ll call you mate and put an arm on your shoulder, but if you’re coaching a Qld team don’t be sarcastic. 

Anyone new with a 1970s p&¥n moustache confuses kicking crap out of playmakers with letting the play flow. They also have liberal vocabulary policy. That’s Keevers and Danaskos. 

Sean Evans and Adam Kersey are inconsistent. Sometimes they’re really good. Other times they decide the game is about them. Or they make a mistake and have to make make up calls. Still, fair play, both are refs I’ve seen go to the VAR screen and tell the guys in the booth no thanks. That’s unusual and in both cases iirc, was good refereeing.

IIRC Ben Abrahams and Alireza Faghani are probably two if the better refs at the moment? My favourite piece of reffing in recent times is Faghani’s ability to give a yellow for dragging down a player and letting the free kick be taken in 10 seconds or less. Almost no advantage accrues to the infringing team. 

So seems like Chief is committed to the Ramy Eze Piper front 3, leaving no space up front for Armiento and no space in the team for Edwards.

Edwards seemed to get dropped due to the pen he conceded against AFC or due to Piper reaching full fitness but I would still like to see Armiento closer to the opposition goal so would give Edwards another chance. I'd drop Najjarine, doesn't do enough for me to justify a starting place. 

Though fully expecting the exact same XI again tomorrow unless Rufer is not fit to start 

Where are you getting this from, I haven't seen any pre-match interviews? Edwards  was on the injured list for the last game.

Oh my bad, I didnt realise Edwards was injured.

Sorry a novice question, but am visiting Wellington and am here tomorrow! 

With the holidays wondering where would a good place to watch the game be? 

nixiefan

Sorry a novice question, but am visiting Wellington and am here tomorrow! 

With the holidays wondering where would a good place to watch the game be? 

There are two games to watch!

Confirmed still no Oluwayemi.


Brisbane Roar v Wellington Phoenix
Saturday, January 3 – Kayo Stadium – 5:00pm AEDT

Brisbane Roar Squad: 
1.Dean BOUZANIS (GK), 2.Youstin Delfin SALAS GOMEZ, 3.Dimitri VALKANIS, 6.Austin LUDWIK, 8.Samuel KLEIN, 9.Christopher LONG, 10. Georgios VRAKAS, 11. Macklin FREKE (GK), 12. Lucas HERRINGTON, 13.Henry HORE, 15.Hosine BILITY, 16.Matthew DENCH, 17. Justin VIDIC, 19. Michael RUHS, 23. James McGARRY, 26. James O’SHEA, 30.Quinn MACNICOL, 31.Noah MAIERONI, 35.Mikael EVAGOROU-ALAO, 44.Jordan LAUTON, 

Ins: 31.Noah MAIERONI (promoted), 35.Mikael EVAGOROU-ALAO (promoted)
Outs: N/A
Unavailable:  5. Marcus FERKRANUS (quad), 21.Antonee BURKE-GILROY (foot), 22. Nathan AMANATIDIS (quad), 77. Milorad STAJIC (leg)

Wellington Phoenix squad:  
3. Corban PIPER, 4. Manjrekar JAMES, 5. Fin ROA CONCHIE, 7. Ifeanyi EZE, 8. Paulo RETRE, 11. Carlo ARMIENTO, 14. Alex RUFER (c), 15. Isaac HUGHES, 17. Gabriel SLOANE-RODRIGUES, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 20. Ramy NAJJARINE, 24. Xuan LOKE, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA, 27. Matt SHERIDAN, 29. Luke BROOKE-SMITH, 30. Alby KELLY-HEALD (gk), 31. RYAN LEE, 37. Anaru CASSIDY, 39. Jayden SMITH, 40. Eamonn MCCARRON (gk).

(Two to be omitted)
Ins: Nil.
Outs: Nil.
Unavailable: 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk) (injured), 6. Tim PAYNE (injured), 9. Hideki ISHIGE (injured), 10. Nikola MILEUSNIC (injured), 12. Dan EDWARDS (injured), 19. Nathan WALKER (injured),23. Luke SUPYK (injured).

does Italiano stick with McCarron or nring in AKH?
would be tough to drop the young keeper, but the comms between him and the CB's was clearly lacking

McCarron simply cannot start tomorrow night.

I have nothing against the kid, but he is clearly not at the required level to be stepping into a starting spot in our XI in Oluwayemi's absence.

Fenix

nixiefan

Sorry a novice question, but am visiting Wellington and am here tomorrow! 

With the holidays wondering where would a good place to watch the game be? 

There are two games to watch!

Yes! Just did the math. Perfect.

Hopefully the Featherston is open 🤞

nixiefan

Fenix

nixiefan

Sorry a novice question, but am visiting Wellington and am here tomorrow! 

With the holidays wondering where would a good place to watch the game be? 

There are two games to watch!

Yes! Just did the math. Perfect.

Hopefully the Featherston is open 🤞

I’m pretty sure the Featherston doesn’t re-open until Monday, so best bet is likely Four Kings (not sure how late they’ll stay open though, which could impact watching the women’s game).

Thunder Road at the other end of Courtenay Place might be another option, could be worth giving the pubs a call to confirm.

Apparantly only about 500 tickets left for tomorrows double header. 
Not sure what ground capaciry is

YoungHeartHM

McCarron simply cannot start tomorrow night.

I have nothing against the kid, but he is clearly not at the required level to be stepping into a starting spot in our XI in Oluwayemi's absence.

Absolutely this, should be no where near the first XI if either Josh or Alby KH are fit.

ballane

Apparantly only about 500 tickets left for tomorrows double header. 
Not sure what ground capaciry is

That prompted me to get organised!
Bought one of the last tickets in the Away Bay. See you tomorrow Simon!

Capacity about 11K. So seems the 3rd placed Roar are getting the fans back with a successful season. The A League needs some crowds returning good news stories.

A win for them tomorrow will take Brisbane 1st, and likely keep them there if SFC lose later tomorrow at Melb City.

Forecast 29 degrees and partly cloudy. May still need drinks breaks in each half.

so why was he? What does this say about Chiefy?

WanderingSheep

YoungHeartHM

McCarron simply cannot start tomorrow night.

I have nothing against the kid, but he is clearly not at the required level to be stepping into a starting spot in our XI in Oluwayemi's absence.

Absolutely this, should be no where near the first XI if either Josh or Alby KH are fit.

Chiefy went off McCarron's half game against Wrexham, plus coming on for Oluwayemi against the Mariners.

And also no doubt watching McCarron and AKH daily in training. Chiefy obviously got it wrong. But some blame must also fall with the Nix GK coach Dylan Cope. 
Cope coming from the Glory to replace Ruben Parker this season. 

Presumably Cope advised that young Eamonn was ready to start.

Did Reuben go to Brisbane? 

Procrastinixing

Did Reuben go to Brisbane? 

Yes

coochiee

ballane

Apparantly only about 500 tickets left for tomorrows double header. 
Not sure what ground capaciry is

That prompted me to get organised!
Bought one of the last tickets in the Away Bay. See you tomorrow Simon!

Capacity about 11K. So seems the 3rd placed Roar are getting the fans back with a successful season. The A League needs some crowds returning good news stories.

A win for them tomorrow will take Brisbane 1st, and likely keep them there if SFC lose later tomorrow at Melb City.

Forecast 29 degrees and partly cloudy. May still need drinks breaks in each half.

Nah I'm pretty sure this game is a sugar-hit game. The stadium is in Redcliffe, not in Brisbane. 40mins away, so it's the equivalent of a game in Napier.

I know they used to play there before they went back to Suncorp, but still a different crowd nonetheless.

McCarron will start again tonight - and this is how you will know the coach has no clue

At least Rufer is not listed as injured

observer

McCarron will start again tonight - and this is how you will know the coach has no clue

Or they just dont have anyone better fit enough to play.

ballane

observer

McCarron will start again tonight - and this is how you will know the coach has no clue

Or they just dont have anyone better fit enough to play.

exactly, AKH s the only other option adn he either hasnt flly recovered from his injury or hasnt come backas ready as he should be.

If AKH who was supposed to have a slight chance of recovering from his injury to play at the u20 world cup is still so hampered by that injury that he is worse than McCarron then the Nix should surely have tried to get some emergency signing in as cover by now. Negligence to be one Oluwayemi injury from this situation.  

If they follow Italiano‘s instructions for 90min and not making comical errors, it will not matter which goalie is playing. It’s a new year time I’m also optimistic for Piper is score a one on one. Happy new 2026!

it's pretty obvious from watching national league games and from what ive seen of the two of them at a-league level that both back up keepers are well below the standard and have massive gaps in their technical capability. that's not to say that they won't both be excellent in the future because they both also have outstanding attributes for young keepers.

of the two AKH is definitely the better one, but Italiano made it clear before last week that McCarron is ahead of AKH in his thinking.

like i said in the last game thread, this shows poor squad planning. we used to have keepers like spoonley, mcpeake and imray as squad options. all would easily be full time pros right now. there are plenty of excellent keepers in new zealand who could fill the backup role well. most are aged at least 25 and have had nothing to do with the academy however, which appears to be a sticking point.

WhoStoleMySock

coochiee

ballane

Apparantly only about 500 tickets left for tomorrows double header. 
Not sure what ground capaciry is

That prompted me to get organised!
Bought one of the last tickets in the Away Bay. See you tomorrow Simon!

Capacity about 11K. So seems the 3rd placed Roar are getting the fans back with a successful season. The A League needs some crowds returning good news stories.

A win for them tomorrow will take Brisbane 1st, and likely keep them there if SFC lose later tomorrow at Melb City.

Forecast 29 degrees and partly cloudy. May still need drinks breaks in each half.

Nah I'm pretty sure this game is a sugar-hit game. The stadium is in Redcliffe, not in Brisbane. 40mins away, so it's the equivalent of a game in Napier.

I know they used to play there before they went back to Suncorp, but still a different crowd nonetheless.

I doubt it. As you say 40 mins not 4 hours
It’s the equivalent of a game in Rimutaka or Paraparaumu. 

Is a train station nearby. The hard core fan base turn up, some curious locals, holiday makers, Nepalese community and the casuals who are back with the Roar finally having a successful season

hey coochie, wear something distinctive, so we know which one is you :-)

Assuming Matt Foord would have been in their thinking before he got picked up by OFC pro league?  Piper wasn't from the academy and we signed him so not sure we are only looking at players that come through the academy.

Anyway, to appease the football gods, I've made a donation to Forest & Bird.  Because not only our native birds, but mythical ones too need rescuing and looking after.  If the football gods are good we'll get 6 points today.  If not, well the silver lining is that aUcKlAnD wont' be on top.

How about a Hurricanes top circa 1997? Though it maybe a bit too warm for that 

Perhaps the Peru strip which is now dad bod snug 

If/when we lose this game tomorrow (UK time), will that be the end of the current regime?

Obviously I want them gone. Ideally replaced by a kiwi/someone whose done their time in our game, not sure who that is mind (certainly not Hay).

Alot will depend on the nature of the performance. Doubt a narrow loss would see his job threatened. Not with that injury list, and the Nix being the club they are.

But another limp 5-1 shellacking, for sure the pressure goes right on.

Remember when we had Sail as our #1 and his back up was some unknown, untried kid by the name of Paulsen? How did that turn out?
For some clubs carrying two #1's isnt feasable, or is an easy way to save money, cos why would you pay someone starting money when they are gonna warm the bench all season. Better to have a younger keeper or two on academy wages who cna hang around the first team and learn and develop into hopefully the next Paulsen.
Clearly this is the approach the Nix have taken, unlike say AFC with arguably two
 # 1's

I hope McCarron has stayed away from social media for the week and the squad has rallied round him.

It’s tough going up against Roar as an inexperienced keeper, but even tougher going up against them as an inexperienced keeper whose confidence has taken a beating.

Really need the experienced CB to step up and take charge, referring to James to Hughes. Neither helped their keeper last game and you cant do that to an 18 yr old keeper in his second start.