Laini's Roar-ing start with historic hat-tricks

Above: Laini Freier in action for the Roar this season. Picture: Brisbane Roar.

Laini Freier, who played junior and senior football in Moreton Bay, has made Ninja A-League history just three months after joining Brisbane Roar.

Freier, 23, last month became the first player to score back-to-back A-League hat-tricks – which remarkably came in her first two starts - against Newcastle Jets and Western United.

The Redcliffe-born attacking midfielder is now chasing a hat-trick of hat-tricks when second-placed Roar host Canberra, who are 10^th, at Perry Park tomorrow (5pm).

Laini, who is 24 minutes older than twin sister and Roar team-mate Sharn, told Paramount+ it had been an “insane start” to her professional career.

“I have no words,” she added, “just to be out here with the girls, playing the way we are, is an unreal feeling .

“Putting the ball in the back of the net … I’m just doing my job.”

Laini missed the first four A-League rounds through injury but had two appearances as a substitute before making the starting line-up.

Since then, the former Pine Rivers State High School student has topped the Ninja A-League goal + assist chart for December with eight (6 goals and 2 goal assists - one being for Sharn).

Striker Sharn, who won her first Matildas’ international cap last year, was second on five (2 goals and 3 assists, all setting-up goals for Laini).

Laini’s stats also show she has had 10 shots for Roar, seven were on target and six found the back of the net - three with each foot!

“Playing Ninja A-League is something we’ve always wanted to do and when it comes together it’s a pretty good feeling,” Laini said on Paramount+.

“The vibe around the (Roar) team, at training, away camps, everywhere is great.

“It’s a great crew and we’re all getting along really well as I think you can tell by the way we’re performing.”

The Freier twins are back playing at Roar, six years after starring for the club's Youth side, where Laini set-up Sharn for the winner in the 2018 state-level NPLW Grand Final.

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

The twins' started at Pine Rivers United, before joining Moreton Bay United (now Moreton City Excelsior) where they helped win the NPL Under 15 Girls’ premiership in 2016.

After two years at The Gap, they returned to Moreton Bay United's senior side, but suffered ACL injuries within weeks of each other in 2021.

Laini and Sharn returned in late 2022 before joining Brisbane City in 2023. Sharn was soon snapped up by Roar and is now a regular in the Australian squad.

Laini starred in Brisbane City’s rise from FQPL1 (with 21 wins in 21 games) in 2023 and the NPL Women's double in 2024 before turning professional with Roar in September last year.