Christian Montegan 
Brisbane Roar 2024/25 A-League Women's season preview. Photo: Provided by Football Australia. Design: Round Ball Australia.
Where to begin with Brisbane? A team that promised so much last season after defeating Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC in the first two rounds before dramatically capitulating.
Two rounds later, CEO Kaz Patafta announced a stunning decision to part ways with coach Gareth McPherson in what was a real head-scratcher.
From then on, the instability and disconnect showed throughout the season to the point where Brisbane were uncompetitive for large spells.
A disappointing ninth-place finish a few months ago highlighted the reality that serious work is required to get the Roar back to challenging for championships.
Many aspects need to fall in Brisbane’s favour to have any chance of finals football, but is that a realistic goal for a youth-driven project?
The Manager: Alex Smith
You have to give Alex Smith credit. He walked into a club having sacked previous coach Gareth McPherson and was handed a massive responsibility in, let’s face it, not the best conditions compared to other teams in the competition.
But now, Smith has no excuses with a full pre-season under his watch. Can he get the best out of the group?
“It’s been a really solid four weeks of pre-season,” Smith said ahead of their opener against Canberra United. “Probably not quite long enough, but we’ve made a lot of progress [in the last] two weeks.”
A former assistant under Dario Vidošić at Melbourne City, the former Wellington Phoenix and Gold Coast United midfielder understands the Australian football culture and what to expect.
Last season, Smith was a fan of playing a 3-4-3 formation, but often the defensive frailties were exposed out on the wings with pockets of spaces left behind.
How Smith attempts to improve his team’s defensive discipline and solidity is a question that will drag on in the coming weeks.
That being said, an open brand of attacking football is also on the agenda. It’s just about finding the right balance.
The Squad
American striker Mia Corbin was one of Brisbane’s few bright sparks last campaign, notching up eight goals and four assists – always grabbing the chance to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
The 27-year-old has since departed for a spell in the USL Super League at Carolina Ascent FC, leaving behind a physical presence and ability to bring others into play which will be tough to replace.
After captaining the club for three seasons, midfielder Ayesha Norrie is another vacancy that will hurt Brisbane with a lack of leadership personnel to transmit amongst the squad.
The other two exits involve two 23-year-olds Hollie Palmer and Leah Scarpelli.
The new signings column doesn’t jump out as overly ambitious, but one player who could prove to be a promising addition is Danelle Tan.
Tan, 20, made history for the Singapore national team by becoming the youngest player and goalscorer for her country, and she is looking forward to a new adventure in Australia.
“For me, it felt like the right step for my career playing with high calibre players and in a very good league,” said Tan. “I think it’s the environment that I want to put myself in and develop as much as I can.”
Brisbane’s transfer strategy has emphasised youth as their long-term project, acquiring Laini Freier (23), Emily Pringle (22), Tanaye Morris (20), Zara Kruger (18) and Isabela Hoyos (16).
Sharn Freier is arguably considered Brisbane’s most important player having made her Matildas debut in April this year. Her precise movement and attacking threat out wide in midfield will be a key asset for a side that scored the third-fewest goals in the league last season (28).
Holly McQueen is another important re-signing to guarantee much-needed defensive stability, but 123-time capped Matilda Tameka Yallop is just as crucial.
Yallop was asked to play in a more attacking role out wide last season. However, Norrie’s exit could pave the way for her to slot back in midfield consistently. You know what you’re getting.
Expectations
The Roar have failed to make a finals appearance since 2020/21, but if they do so this season, it would be an incredibly unexpected accomplishment.
This team lacks depth and a well-rounded squad that can lift the side when they experience an inevitable rough patch.
Reaching the 30-point mark should be deemed as the club’s goal, while any table position from ninth or higher should be the pass mark.