Brisbane Roar will enter the 2025-26 Isuzu UTE A-League Men season looking to turn the page on a difficult campaign that saw them finish bottom of the table. With a new coach at the helm and several fresh faces arriving, the Roar faithful are hoping for a year of resurgence.
A New Era Under Michael Valkanis
The club has appointed Michael Valkanis as head coach, replacing Ruben Zadkovich after last season’s struggles. Valkanis brings fresh ideas and experience from coaching stints in Greece and with Melbourne City. His immediate challenge will be lifting the side’s confidence while blending new signings with the club’s young talent.
The Roar will again call Suncorp Stadium home, with supporters eager to see whether Valkanis’ vision can push the team back into finals contention.
Transfer Business: A Busy Off-Season
Brisbane have been active in the transfer market, addressing weaknesses across the pitch.
Key Signings
Youstin Salas – Costa Rican right-back/midfielder on loan from Sporting San José, expected to add versatility and bite.
Dean Bouzanis – Experienced goalkeeper from Charlton, signed to provide stability at the back.
James McGarry – Defender from Aberdeen, offering balance on the left side.
Hosine Bility – Returned on a permanent deal after a strong loan spell, strengthening central defence.
Justin Vidić – Young forward, seen as a long-term attacking option.
Dimitri Valkanis – Midfielder on loan from AEK Athens, adding depth in the middle of the park.
Extensions were also handed to Austin Ludwik and Antonee Burke-Gilroy, keeping continuity in defence.
Departures
The squad has lost some long-serving players, most notably Jack Hingert, who departed after 14 seasons. Others moving on include Corey Brown, Rafael Struick, Walid Shour, and goalkeeper Matt Acton. Rising talent Lucas Herrington was sold to Colorado Rapids in a record transfer for the club.
Squad Overview
Brisbane’s roster now blends seasoned professionals with emerging prospects.
Goalkeepers: Macklin Freke, Dean Bouzanis
Defenders: Antonee Burke-Gilroy, Austin Ludwik, Hosine Bility, James McGarry
Midfield/Attack: Justin Vidić, Dimitri Valkanis, plus several youth and overseas recruits
The club is expected to give minutes to academy products, reflecting its commitment to developing homegrown talent.
Fixtures and Season Timeline
The 2025-26 A-League season kicks off on October 17, 2025, with the Grand Final set for May 22-24, 2026. Roar will play 26 regular season games before the Finals Series.
As part of their preparations, the team will embark on a historic tour of the Solomon Islands, including a friendly against the national team on October 4. This will be followed by several domestic warm-up matches.
Key fixtures for fans include:
Opening Round clash – a chance to set the tone after last year’s disappointment.
Derbies and marquee games – dates against traditional rivals will be pivotal in testing the squad’s progress.
Outlook
After finishing last in 2024-25, Brisbane Roar face a rebuilding year. Valkanis’ ability to integrate his new recruits and stabilise the defence will be crucial. The arrival of experienced internationals and a mix of youthful talent has raised cautious optimism, but consistency will be the ultimate test.
For the fans, the goal is simple: restore pride in the orange shirt and push for a return to finals football.