An emotional night awaits at home as Brisbane Roar not only aim for back-to-back victories but also prepare to bid farewell to club legend Scott Neville on Friday, 31 January, in a milestone match that will mark the end of his illustrious 18-year career. Roar vs Western Sydney Wanderers kick off 6:35 p.m. at Suncorp Stadium.
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Milestone Match
The 36-year-old defender is set to become just the eleventh player in A-League history to reach the prestigious 300-game milestone. Earlier this month, Neville celebrated his 100th appearance for Brisbane Roar, an achievement made even more remarkable by his resilience in returning from an eleven-month ACL injury layoff. His farewell fixture adds another layer of significance to what is already a crucial contest for the Roar.
Roar vs Western Sydney Wanderers
Brisbane enter the clash with renewed confidence after securing a thrilling 4-3 victory over Sydney FC, their first away triumph against the Sky Blues since 2018. The performance highlighted the team’s attacking prowess, with Ben Halloran, Henry Hore, Adam Zimarino, and Lucas Herrington all finding the net in a memorable display. That win ended a five-game winless streak and injected fresh momentum into the squad ahead of Neville’s farewell.
Head coach Ruben Zadkovich’s squad could see an exciting addition, with Young Socceroos forward Nathan Amanatidis in contention to make his Roar debut. The 19-year-old, awaiting domestic transfer clearance, is known for his sharp attacking instincts and could provide an immediate boost to Brisbane’s frontline. Meanwhile, Hore’s return to Suncorp Stadium following his K League stint with Gangwon FC adds another dimension to the team’s attacking options.
The ninth-placed Wanderers arrive in Brisbane determined to spoil Neville’s farewell after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to league leaders Auckland. With the A-League table still tightly contested, they will be eager to turn their fortunes around and climb higher up the ladder.
For Neville, the occasion carries a touch of irony. “It’s kind of a full-tilt moment that my last game will be against Western Sydney Wanderers,” he reflected. “But the main priority is the three points.”
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As the Roar faithful prepare to say goodbye to one of the A-League’s most enduring figures, Friday night’s clash transcends the usual fixture list. It’s a moment to celebrate resilience, loyalty, and the pursuit of victory—one final chance to honour a club legend while maintaining crucial momentum in the season.
Published 28-January-2025
