Roar vs Western United ended in a goalless draw at Perry Park on Sunday evening, as both sides struggled to find a breakthrough in a tightly contested match. The home side started brightly, dominating possession and carving out early opportunities, but Western United’s defence held firm, repelling the early onslaught and growing into the contest.
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Defensive Resilience and Missed Opportunities
Western United’s goalkeeper Olivia Sekany played a pivotal role in keeping the visitors level, producing a stunning save in the 18th minute to deny what seemed like a certain goal from Aimee Medwin. The momentum briefly shifted after this, with Western United gaining a foothold in midfield and disrupting Brisbane’s rhythm. The match became a more evenly contested battle, with possession frequently changing hands as both teams searched for an opening.
The first caution of the match came in the 27th minute when Grace Kuilamu was shown a yellow card for a challenge on Julia Sardo, adding an extra layer of intensity to the already competitive encounter. The Roar continued to press forward, but a resolute Western United defence ensured clear-cut chances remained scarce.
As stoppage time approached, Brisbane appeared to have snatched a dramatic winner when Danelle Tan turned in a pinpoint cross from Alicia Woods. Perry Park erupted in celebration, but the joy was short-lived as the linesman’s flag was swiftly raised for offside, ensuring the match ended in a stalemate.
Looking Ahead to Sydney
With an international break now on the horizon, the Roar have an opportunity to reset before returning to action against Sydney FC on 2 March. The break offers valuable time for the squad to regroup and refine their attacking play as they look to turn promising build-up sequences into goals.
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While the result may feel like a missed opportunity, Brisbane’s defensive solidity and early attacking intent provide reasons for optimism. Their competitive position in the league remains intact, and the focus now shifts to ensuring that future performances translate into much-needed victories.
Published 18-February-2025
Match preview published 13-February-2025
Roar vs Western United: Brisbane Aim to Rekindle December Magic Against Melbourne Outfit

Fresh off a heartbreaking defeat, Brisbane Roar faces a critical test in their finals push as they welcome Western United to Perry Park this Sunday evening. The match presents a prime opportunity for the home side to reignite their campaign following last weekend’s difficult 2-1 loss to Western Sydney Wanderers. Roar vs Western United kick off 5:00 p.m. at Perry Park.
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A Loss and an Injury Away From Home
The Roar’s coaching staff will need to adjust their strategic approach this weekend, with midfielder Laini Freier unavailable due to concussion protocols after last Sunday’s match. However, the squad receives a significant boost with the return of defender Leia Varley, who has recovered from an ankle injury that kept her sidelined against the Wanderers.
The home side aims to recapture their winning form after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Western Sydney Wanderers last weekend. The defeat saw promising moments, including 18-year-old Zara Kruger notching her first Roar goal, but ultimately ended in heartbreak with a late winner from WSW’s Holly Casper.
Varley, who recently committed her future to the club with a two-year contract extension, expresses unwavering confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back. “I think we’ve got to focus on ourselves. I think we’ve let the focus of our opponents get the best of us and not trust our football style,” she reflects. The defender, who opened her A-League account in the previous meeting with Western United, maintains high ambitions for the upcoming clash. ‘If I can get another one this weekend, it’ll help us get the momentum we need’.
Roar vs Western United
The history between these sides has produced memorable encounters, none more so than December’s remarkable 8-2 victory at Ironbark Fields. That day showcased Brisbane’s attacking prowess, with Laini Freier securing back-to-back hat-tricks and contributions from across the squad demonstrating their potential for devastating forward play.
The Roar’s emphatic victory in their last meeting demonstrates their capability to overcome the fourth-placed visitors. “Western [is a] physical team, obviously they’re pushing for finals as well so I’m expecting a big game,” notes Varley. “I think we’ll come out firing and kickstart something good for the rest of the season.”
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With passionate home support behind them and determination to revive their season, Brisbane looks to channel the spirit of their previous encounter and secure a crucial three points in their push for finals football. The stage is set for an enthralling contest at Perry Park.