Indi's back - and ready to Roar

Above: Indiah-Paige Riley back in the orange of Brisbane Roar in training yesterday. Picture Kyoko Kurihara

Indiah-Paige Riley, the former Moreton Bay United forward, has rejoined Brisbane Roar for the remainder of the Liberty A-League season.

The 21-year-old, who started at The Lakes (now North Lakes United) made her A-League debut for Roar in November 2018 against Western Sydney Wanderers.

Riley scored her first professional goal a month later for Roar, which has re-signed her as an injury replacement for Mariel Hecher, also against Wanderers.

She was nominated for a Young Player of the Year award the following season as become a Roar regular at just 18 years old.

Then 20 appearances across two seasons, Riley joined Fortuna Hjorring, playing in Denmark’s top women’s league - Elitedvisionen, in 2020.

“I’m very excited to be back playing in Brisbane, I can’t wait to put on the orange jersey again and play in warm weather in front of the roar supporters,” she said.

“It was quite a quick decision for me personally after talking to influential people in my life.

“However, it was from unfortunate circumstances that I have been given the opportunity to play here again.

“Mariel’s injury is a huge loss to the team; she has a massive impact on and off the field so joining as her injury replacement is no easy task,” she added.

Riley helped Moreton Bay United win the NPL Qld Under 15 Girls’ title in 2016, scoring 31 goals in 22 games alongside Sharn Freier, now a team-mate at Roar.

Since making a move to Europe, Riley has reached new heights including playing against Barcelona FC in the Round of 16 in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

She was capped at senior level by the Matildas but switched to the country of her birth, New Zealand, last year, making her international debut in September.

“My move overseas I think was one of the best decisions I could have made in order to grow and mature as a player and a person,” she said.

“I’m constantly learning new styles of play and learning new things from my teammates every day at training really helped me develop.

“On my return to Roar, I hope I can continue building on the success they have had this season so far and do everything I can to help the team to win.”

Head Coach Garrath McPherson is excited to see the return of Riley, another former BRFC/NCT squad member, to the Liberty A-League squad.

“Indi is another former pathways player from Queensland who has played at the highest levels of the women's game,” he said.

“She made her debut at a young age and has spent the last two- and a bit years in Denmark. During that time, she has also been selected for national teams.

“Indi is a wide striker of great quality; she loves to take on defenders 1v1 and has an eye for goal.

“She aspires to be involved in a World Cup in six month's time and we are excited that she has decided to return home to Brisbane,” McPherson added.

Brisbane Roar will face Adelaide United at AJ Kelly Park on Sunday January 15.