Laini signs for Roar

Laini Freier, who played junior and senior football in the Moreton Bay region, has signed for Brisbane Roar - where she joins twin sister Sharn.

The 23-year-old will pull on Roar’s orange strip again for the 2024-25 A-League Women’s season, six years after starring in the Youth side.

Laini set up forward Sharn, who won her first Matildas’ caps this year, for Roar’s winning goal in the 2018 NPLW Qld Grand Final.

Midfielder Laini also scored seven times this year, including in the semi-final and final, as Brisbane City won the Premiership and Grand Final.

“I’m very excited to be playing my first A league season with Roar this year. It’s going to be a new challenge for me so I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Laini said.

“Sharn and I have played together since we were little, so I’m stoked to be able to play with her here at Roar. It’s a dream come true.”

Laini - 24 minutes older than her sister - grew up in Pine Rivers, went to Pine Rivers State High School and started playing football at Pine Rivers United.

In fact, their careers have been almost identical at junior and senior levels. They both even suffered the same major injury.

Laini and Sharn joined Moreton Bay United (now Moreton City Excelsior after merging with Albany Creek Excelsior) and won the NPL Under 15 Girls’ premiership in 2016.

After winning the 2018 Grand Final with Roar Youth, Laini played for The Gap for two years and won the club’s Young Footballer of the Year award.

She returned to Moreton Bay United in its senior side but suffered an ACL injury (as did Sharn weeks later) that kept her sidelined until the end of 2022.

However, Laini battled back and has played a starring role in Brisbane City’s rise to the top of the NPLW.