Week 3: Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets

Brisbane a real test for Newcastle | (Credit: Getty Images)

While the match in Sydney may decide which team goes top after round three, the contest between champions Brisbane Roar and title aspirants Newcastle Jets could prove to be equally pivotal come season’s end. The new-look Jets cruised to a 3-0 home win against Adelaide last weekend, but it is this match which will truly indicate if they are contenders or pretenders.

The Roar had the bye last weekend meaning momentum is yet to be built, but it does mean the team had extra time to recuperate after battling to a torrid 1-1 draw in Sydney on the opening weekend. For now though Jeff Hopkins side must continue to do without the overseas-based trio of Kim Carroll, Elise Kellond-Knight and Aivi Luik for a few more weeks.

The Jets conversely are overflowing with options on their playing roster, led by their World Cup quartet of new signings; goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri, midfielder Emily Van Egmond, striker Lisa De Vanna and Germany defender Ariane Hingst. The exciting line-up has caught the imagination of the Novocastrian football public with a record local crowd turning out for the opener last weekend. A win in Brisbane will set up their season nicely going into another potentially epic clash against Sydney the following weekend.

Brisbane Roar v Newcastle Jets

Saturday 5 November 2011

Cleveland Showgrounds, Brisbane

Local kick-off: 4pm

Brisbane Roar squad: 1.Casey Dumont (gk), 2.Laura Alleway, 3.Karla Reuter, 4. Clare Polkinghorne (c), 5.Brooke Spence, 6.Joanne Burgess, 9.Catherine Cannuli, 10.Lana Harch, 12.Ashley Spina, 13.Tameka Butt, 14. Vedrana Popovic, 15.Sasha McDonnell, 16.Michaela Hatzirodos, 17.Emily Gielnik, 19.Ellen Beaumont, 20.Hoshimi Kishi (gk)

* one to be omitted

Unavailable: Elise Kellond-Knight, Kim Carroll, Aivi Luik (all overseas – 1 week)

Newcastle Jets squad: 1.Melissa BARBIERI (gk), 2.Hannah BREWER, 3.Alanna KENNEDY, 4.Gemma PEARCE, 5.Alex HUYNH, 6.Nicola BOLGER, 7.Gema SIMON, 8.Linda O'NEILL, 9.Tara ANDREWS, 10.Emily VAN EGMOND, 11.Lisa DE VANNA, 12.Monnique KOFOED, 13.Stacey DAY, 14.Bronte BATES, 15.Rhali DOBSON, 16.Cassandra KOPPEN, 17.Ariane HINGST (c), 20.Alison LOGUE (gk)

*three to be omitted

Unavailable: nil