A-League: Brisbane Roar Focus

Brisbane Roar will be looking to return to the A-League finals in the 2024/25 season under the leadership of Ruben Zadkovich.

Roar have found themselves struggling at the wrong end of the A-League ladder in recent seasons, but hope to have some stability with Zadkovich at the helm.

They have chopped and changed coaches, with Warren Moon, Ross Aloisi and Ben Cahn all having spells in the hot seat over the last two years.

Zadkovich was appointed in April 2024 following a positive run of results and will now get the chance to take Roar into the future after being handed a two-year deal.

A return to the top six would be seen as a big achievement in the season ahead and Roar can be backed at 4.50 to get there.

Let’s take a look at how Brisbane Roar are shaping up for the new season.

. What: 2024/25 A-League season
. Where: Venues across Australia and New Zealand
. When: October 2024 to May 2025
. How to watch: Paramount+, Channel 10
. Odds: Brisbane Roar 19.00 to win grand final

Zadkovich to lead the way

Brisbane Roar will be hoping for some stability over the next couple of seasons after Ruben Zadkovich penned a two-year deal with the club.

Zadkovich initially arrived at Brisbane in January 2024 as an assistant to then coach Ben Cahn.

After Cahn parted ways with the club, Zadkovich took the job on an interim basis and immediately started picking up results.

Wins over Melbourne Victory, Melbourne City and Western Sydney Wanderers helped Brisbane climb the A-League ladder.

They finished in ninth place on the ladder, nine points away from finals, but will be hoping to get even closer in the campaign ahead.

Zadkovich has some credentials after taking a struggling Perth Glory to within one win of finals in the 2022/23 season.

He now has a big challenge with Brisbane but is determined to bring the glory days back to the club.

New signings

Roar have been busy in the transfer market as they look to build a side capable of challenging for the top six.

One of the biggest signings of the off-season has been the capture of Indonesian international forward Rafael Struick.

The versatile 21-year-old, who can play as an out-and-out striker or on the wing, has arrived from the Dutch side ADO.

Standing at just over 6ft, Struick will add a different dimension to the Roar attack and will have a key role to play in the season ahead.

Meanwhile, Ecuadorian youth international Neicer Acosta is another exciting addition to the Roar squad after penning a one-year deal.

The winger has represented Ecuador at U17 and U20 level and will be looking to take the A-League by storm in the season ahead.

Opening fixtures

Roar will get their season underway with a tricky trip to New Zealand to take on the A-League’s new boys Auckland FC.

It is a tough start to the season as next up is a home clash against Sydney FC and a trip to Melbourne Victory, two sides who hope to be challenging for the title this season.

Roar wrap up November with a home game against Macarthur FC, who will also be hoping to break into the top six this season.