A season average of 7.32 at an age when most of his year group are still in the youth team. Brisbane Roar know what they have, and so, by now, does everybody else.
“I did not go to Melbourne City to sit and watch. I want to come back to Brisbane Roar and fight for my place.” 0 appearances in 10 matches say the rest.
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 7 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Brisbane Roar they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
A player who expected to start watched it instead. The manager will call it a decision for the team; Jordan Lauton will call it something else in private.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A window away with the national side, and a shirt at Brisbane Roar that briefly doubles as an advertisement. A call-up flatters the player and the club that built him in the same breath.
3 wins on the spin now, and the question has changed from whether the run ends to who ends it. Confidence like this cannot be bought; it has to be earned exactly this way.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Nishan Velupillay and Brisbane Roar agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. Joshua Enaholo knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.
Wellington Phoenix will want this one forgotten quickly: 4-1, every duel lost, and a long ride home. Brisbane Roar were ruthless in the way good sides are ruthless.
“I did not go to Melbourne City to sit and watch. I want to come back to Brisbane Roar and fight for my place.” 0 appearances in 6 matches say the rest.
Terms are settled between the clubs and the rest is paperwork and a photograph. Around Brisbane Roar they have already started talking about him in the past tense.
A 3-1 win over Melbourne City, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.
“I am grateful for the games, but I did not become a footballer to be somebody else's spare part.” He wants to be at Brisbane Roar, and 0 appearances in 5 say he has earned the hearing.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A season average of 7.19 at an age when most of his year group are still in the youth team. Brisbane Roar know what they have, and so, by now, does everybody else.
He found out with everybody else, an hour before kick-off, from a sheet of paper on a wall. Nobody at Brisbane Roar pretended it was anything other than a decision about him.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Brisbane Roar can pretend not to have heard.
He is the name in every column and on every phone-in, which is a heavy thing to carry at any age. Some footballers thrive on it; others are quietly finished by it.
The name of Matthew Millar keeps appearing in other people's back pages. Brisbane Roar say nothing, which says plenty.
Market7 Feb 2028
The window shut and Isaac Twum is still in the building
Brisbane Roar spent a month trying to move him and nobody rang back. He trains with a squad that has told him where he stands, and both sides start counting down to the next one.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Brisbane Roar can pretend not to have heard.
A season average of 7.06 at an age when most of his year group are still in the youth team. Brisbane Roar know what they have, and so, by now, does everybody else.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Brisbane Roar have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A season average of 7.09 at an age when most of his year group are still in the youth team. Brisbane Roar know what they have, and so, by now, does everybody else.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at Brisbane Roar has been clear about where Dean Bouzanis stands, which is more than many ever get.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Brisbane Roar can pretend not to have heard.
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 7 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
A season average of 7.01 at an age when most of his year group are still in the youth team. Brisbane Roar know what they have, and so, by now, does everybody else.
The name of Emin Duraković has come up in conversations Brisbane Roar were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 9 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Central Coast Mariners are out and Brisbane Roar go through, 1-0 the final word. The bracket opens up a little, and everyone allows themselves a look at it.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Brisbane Roar have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Brisbane Roar have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Brisbane Roar have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A 2-1 win over Adelaide United, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
The shirt still fits. Chris Thomas is back at Brisbane Roar, and half the ground remembers him in these colours already. Some signings need selling to the town; this one sold itself.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
He left as a boy and has come back still knowing where the away end is. Most signings have to be explained to a town; this one needed a photograph and nothing else.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Brisbane Roar have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
He wheeled away like a man who had been carrying it for months, because he had. Brisbane Roar have their signing off the mark and one press-conference question retired.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Joel King has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.
What was said behind closed doors has now been said in front of a microphone. Everybody at Brisbane Roar can do the arithmetic, including the man it is aimed at.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Brisbane Roar can pretend not to have heard.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A new face in his position, and Nishan Velupillay suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Brisbane Roar have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Brisbane Roar have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. Joshua Enaholo keeps the shirt for now, at Brisbane Roar's convenience rather than his own.
Market13 Sep 2027
The window shut and Isaac Twum is still in the building
Brisbane Roar spent a month trying to move him and nobody rang back. He trains with a squad that has told him where he stands, and both sides start counting down to the next one.
What was said behind closed doors has now been said in front of a microphone. Everybody at Brisbane Roar can do the arithmetic, including the man it is aimed at.
Joel King joins up with his country. Brisbane Roar lose him for the window and would like him back in one piece.
Market6 Sep 2027
The window shut and Milorad Stajić is still in the building
Brisbane Roar spent a month trying to move him and nobody rang back. He trains with a squad that has told him where he stands, and both sides start counting down to the next one.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
He is 20, and nobody at Brisbane Roar signed him for this season. Deals like this are judged in four years, by people who may not still be in the building.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
The competition arrived without a word said to him about it. Nishan Velupillay keeps the shirt for now, at Brisbane Roar's convenience rather than his own.
A new face in his position, and Nishan Velupillay suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Brisbane Roar have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
The board have said in public what they had been saying in private. Results between now and the next meeting decide it, and everybody in the building knows the arithmetic.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Brisbane Roar can pretend not to have heard.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.
The board have said in public what they had been saying in private. Results between now and the next meeting decide it, and everybody in the building knows the arithmetic.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Brisbane Roar can pretend not to have heard.
The name of Justin Vidic has come up in conversations Brisbane Roar were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Brisbane Roar can pretend not to have heard.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
A new face in his position, and Marius Lode suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Brisbane Roar have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Brisbane Roar have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
The fee is $360.0K, the contract is signed, and the argument about whether he is worth it can begin. Perth Glory drove a hard bargain; time will say who won it.
A window away with the national side, and a shirt at Brisbane Roar that briefly doubles as an advertisement. A call-up flatters the player and the club that built him in the same breath.
The board have said in public what they had been saying in private. Results between now and the next meeting decide it, and everybody in the building knows the arithmetic.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Leverton Pierre plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Joel King has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Jay O'Shea has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
What was said behind closed doors has now been said in front of a microphone. Everybody at Brisbane Roar can do the arithmetic, including the man it is aimed at.
At 28, Isaac Twum has come through every age group this club has, and now watches a borrowed player of much the same level start every week. An academy notices these things, and so do the parents in the stand.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Brisbane Roar have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Nick D'Agostino plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Brisbane Roar have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.
In brief
SquadThe selectors could not leave Jordan Lauton out
He found out with everybody else, an hour before kick-off, from a sheet of paper on a wall. Nobody at Brisbane Roar pretended it was anything other than a decision about him.
The board have said in public what they had been saying in private. Results between now and the next meeting decide it, and everybody in the building knows the arithmetic.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Brisbane Roar have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
The crowd waited for a goal that never came. Central Coast Mariners defended in numbers and left with what they came for, and the two sides could be playing still without troubling a scorer.
A player who expected to start watched it instead. The manager will call it a decision for the team; Justin Vidic will call it something else in private.
“I will know when it is time. I am not there yet.” Jay O'Shea is 38, with 258 appearances behind him, and Brisbane Roar will have to plan for whichever answer comes.
“I did not go to Newcastle Jets to sit and watch. I want to come back to Brisbane Roar and fight for my place.” 0 appearances in 25 matches say the rest.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 8 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
The name of Milorad Stajić has come up in conversations Brisbane Roar were not part of. Nothing formal, nothing signed — but nothing about it accidental either.
The fee is $56.0K, the contract is signed, and the argument about whether he is worth it can begin. Macarthur FC drove a hard bargain; time will say who won it.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.
“The easiest signature of my career.” Nouhoum Kamissoko and Brisbane Roar agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
0-1 to Melbourne Victory, and no complaints worth printing. The performance asked for nothing more than it got.
Boardroom28 Dec 2026
93% of the income goes out in wages at Brisbane Roar
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Brisbane Roar can pretend not to have heard.
A 2-0 win over Central Coast Mariners, earned rather than given, and the sort of afternoon that sends everyone home talking about next week instead of this one.
“I did not go to Newcastle Jets to sit and watch. I want to come back to Brisbane Roar and fight for my place.” 0 appearances in 17 matches say the rest.
An error at the back is a moment; an error in goal is a goal. George Plusnin knows it, the crowd knew it instantly, and there was nobody behind him to make it anything else.
Some afternoons a goalkeeper is the team. 9 saves, several of them the sort nobody expects to see stopped, and a scoreline that flatters everybody in front of him.
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Brisbane Roar have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
The terracesThe press cannot get enough of Marius Lode
14Edition
The Brisbane Roar Chronicle
2 Nov 2026
From our football correspondentUneasy
Boardroom2 Nov 2026
85% of the income goes out in wages at Brisbane Roar
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
He is 16, and nobody at Brisbane Roar signed him for this season. Deals like this are judged in four years, by people who may not still be in the building.
He is 15, and nobody at Brisbane Roar signed him for this season. Deals like this are judged in four years, by people who may not still be in the building.
He is 16, and nobody at Brisbane Roar signed him for this season. Deals like this are judged in four years, by people who may not still be in the building.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Jay O'Shea has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
A window away with the national side, and a shirt at Brisbane Roar that briefly doubles as an advertisement. A call-up flatters the player and the club that built him in the same breath.
There is a figure at which a wage bill stops being ambitious and becomes the reason nothing else is possible, and this club has reached it. Nothing is left over for a transfer, a stand or a rainy afternoon.
Public backing, and the sort that costs a manager something if it turns out to be wrong. Noah Maieroni has been told in front of everybody that the shirt is his.
Another week, another link, another denial nobody quite believes. Brisbane Roar know the market decides these things, not the back pages — but the back pages are louder.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.
Brisbane Roar spent a month trying to move him and nobody rang back. He trains with a squad that has told him where he stands, and both sides start counting down to the next one.
The message was aimed at the stands as much as the dressing room: Jay O'Shea plays, and the argument is closed until the manager decides otherwise.
6Edition
The Brisbane Roar Chronicle
7 Sep 2026
From our football correspondentSteady
Boardroom7 Sep 2026
85% of the income goes out in wages at Brisbane Roar
Every club in football pays most of what it earns to its players. Paying nearly all of it is a different arrangement, and it has ended the same way every time somebody has tried it.
A new face in his position, and Jay O'Shea suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Brisbane Roar have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
A new face in his position, and Jay O'Shea suddenly has to win back what he thought he owned. Brisbane Roar have promised nothing — clubs rarely do at this stage.
The list is a quiet document with a loud meaning. James Durrington may talk to anybody who asks, and everybody at the club understands what that means.
“I was told straight, and I would rather have it straight.” The manager at Brisbane Roar has been clear about where Oscar Page stands, which is more than many ever get.
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Brisbane Roar, and both men came out saying it was fine.