Brisbane Roar has historically been one of A-League Women’s powerhouse teams, having won three premierships and two championships. The most recent of these was back in the 2017-2018 season, so they will be looking to get back to winning ways in 2022-23.
Last season
The Roar had to wait until nearly the halfway mark of the campaign for their first win. 2021-22 was the debut for a number of NPL players and after the slow start, the team started to look more competitive towards the end of the season. A number of the same players will be returning and they will be hoping to find that form a lot sooner this time around. Brisbane finished sixth on the table.
Key facts
| Coach: | Garrath McPherson |
| Captain: | Ayesha Norrie |
| Last Season: | 6th |
| Venue(s): | Perry Park – 5 A. J. Kelly Park – 4 |
| Membership: | Full season membership
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Lineup
The Coach
Garrath McPherson took the head coaching role at Brisbane Roar in the 2021-22 season after being head coach of the Queensland Academy of Sport team in NPL Queensland. Prior to that, he was an assistant coach with Brisbane Roar women for three seasons. His experience gives him knowledge of the players that will hopefully translate to some finals football this season.
Ins and Outs
INS
| Hensley Hancuff | Goalkeeper | Gotham FC |
| Talitha Kramer | Defender | Wellington Phoenix |
| Margot Robinne | Forward | Canberra United |
| Sharn Freier | Forward | Moreton Bay United |
| Kajsa Lind | Defender | Vittsjö GIK |
| Holly McQueen | Defender | Future Matildas Program |
OUTS
| Georgie Worth | Goalkeeper | Newcastle Jets |
| Anna Margraf | Forward | SV Meppen |
| Cannon Clough | Defender | Newcastle Jets |
| Ellen Gett | Forward | Canberra United |
| Natalie Tathem | Defender | Melbourne Victory |
| Rie Kitano | Midfielder | Not retained |
| Nia Stamatopoulos | Midfielder | Not retained |
| Meaghan McElligott | Forward | Not retained |
Key players
It comes as no surprise that Katrina Gorry should be mentioned here. Mini has been in exceptional form for the Matildas and is the undoubted star of the lineup. Gorry has already played ten seasons with the Roar and has expressed excitement at being back again for 2022-23.
You can’t look past the chemistry that she had with Ayesha (Eash) Norrie. Together with Mariel Hecher, the Roar midfield was arguably one of the best in the competition last season, and all three are back to combine again.
Hensley Hancuff will hopefully provide some stability in the back line after injuries meant Roar used three goalkeepers last season. Hensley is with the Roar on loan from Gotham FC, looking to get some good game time in the US off-season.
One to watch
Larissa Crummer will be wanting to impress given that a possible spot in the Matildas’ World Cup 2023 squad is on the line. Crummer took Brisbane Roar’s Golden Boot last season and will be looking to do the same in 2022-23.
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Prediction
If the team quickly finds the cohesion they developed towards the end of last season, they will be in the top four.
One significant hurdle will be overcoming the stigma of playing at A. J. Kelly Park. The team has played five fixtures there since December 2017 for five losses. With four games scheduled there this season, they’ll need a better result to keep them in the running.
Fixture
Brisbane Roar plays their opening game against Newcastle Jets in front of a home crowd.
| Date: | Saturday, November 19th |
| Venue: | Perry Park |
| Full Brisbane Roar fixture |
