Words by Nick Crockford
Football legends from this region will turn back the clock tomorrow for a curtain raiser to Brisbane Roar’s clash with Wellington Phoenix at Moreton Daily Stadium.
In a blast from the past, the Roar Legends will take on an NPL Qld Legends side at 3pm, before the main A-League fixture at 5.05pm.
Moreton Bay United coach Royce Brownlie, former Peninsula Power and North Pine striker Michael Baird and ex-Caboolture midfielder Adam Sarota are among the Roar Legends.
Former Socceroo Jade North will also be pulling on the orange and black to renew his central defensive partnership with former Roar skipper Matt Smith.
“My last game was against the Roar playing for (NPL side) Easts,” says North, 39, who retired at the end of last season.
“I’m super excited for the game tomorrow. I spent a long time here at Brisbane. It will be a special moment to play with Matt again.
“It’s good to catch up with boys you had a lot of success with. Just walking in and seeing them again will be pretty special.”
North said there would be plenty of laughs before the game and “even more once the whistle goes! If anyone gets through 20 minutes, I’ll be happy for them!”
The NPL Legends include five former or current players with Moreton Bay United - Mario Aparicio, Matt Byrne, Jess Dillon, Charli McLennan and Matt Stein.
Roar Legends: Michael Baird, Daniel Bowles, Royce Brownlie, Scott Higgins, Jade North, Jonti Richter, Adam Sarota, Matt Smith, Shane Stefanutto, Danny Tiatto. Guests: Robert Cavallucci, Bert van Manen.
NPL Legends: Mario Aparicio, Jack Boxell, Matt Byrne, Jess Dillon, Laura Dunne, Annie Evans, Chay Hews, Melissa Limov, Charli McLennan, Jessie Rasschaert, Danny Byrne, Matt Stein.
Tickets, giving two matches for the price of one, are available here.
The Moreton Bay Region currently has two teams – Peninsula Power and Moreton Bay United – in the top four of the state-level NPL Qld.
“The NPL is under rated,” said North, “there’s a lot of young talent coming through and some really good teams as well.
“Every game is tough. It’s going to get better and better. Teams down south keep pinching our players so that’s a good sign.”
Roar stars Joey Champness and Dylan Wenzel-Halls got their breaks in senior football at Moreton Bay United and Western Pride respectively.
“Joey was coming through when I was at Brisbane, Dylan was trialing then,” said North, “they have special talent and it’s great to see them coming through.”
Both are expected to be in the Roar squad for tomorrow’s match against Wellington. Victory will give three vital points in the race for the finals. Roar are seventh on the ladder. Wellington eighth.
It starts a hectic period which will see Roar playing five matches in 16 days – three of them at home: Wellington (May 1), Western United (May 5) and Central Coast Mariners (May 12).
“We will need to be adaptable and flexible (with run of games coming up),” says Roar coach Warren Moon, “and that is going to require everyone. (We will) definitely see a couple of changes (to the team) for Saturday.”
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