Date: Sunday September 5
Kick-off: 3:00pm AEST
Venue: EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle
Head-to-head
Played 16: Wins: Brisbane Roar 6, Newcastle 7, Draws: 3
History
These two sides enjoy a pretty even history against each other, although the less Newcastle see of Brisbane at EnergyAustralia Stadium, the better it is for Jets fans. In an interesting quirk, Newcastle have only beaten Brisbane once at their home stadium, although that one win was a pretty valuable one, coming in the 2007-08 Preliminary final. In that encounter, Newcastle won their way through to their first Grand Final by beating the Roar 3-2 in extra time after the opening 90 minutes finished at 1-1.
Season so far
Newcastle Jets: DDL
Brisbane Roar: DWW
Match Committee
Despite having a week off with the bye, things are not looking too flash for the Jets from an injury viewpoint heading into this game. Coach Branko Culina has been forced into numerous changes to the team that lost 1-0 in Perth in Round 3, losing Ruben Zadkovich (hamstring) and Jobe Wheelhouse (hamstring). Dodgy hammies have also hit Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Kaz Patafta, both of whom are also unavailable this week. However, Culina may be able to call on new signings Matthew Nash and Zhang Shou, along with the promoted Marcello Fiorentini, who are all in the side this week.
For highflying Brisbane, coach Ange Postecoglou has made just one forced change, with Ivan Franjic dropping out of the side with a quad strain. Postecoglou has also promoted Jean Carlos Solorzano, Matt Mundy, Rocky Visconte and Luke Brattan to a squad that will be cut by three before Sunday's game. But it seems doubtful he'll make too many changes to what's been an impressive Roar side so far this campaign.
Danger men
Sean Rooney - The Jets always look more dangerous when Rooney is on the park, complimenting forwards Michael Bridges and Labinot Haliti. Although only young, Rooney's shaved head makes him look substantially older and meaner, which combined with his impressive work-rate and precise finishing makes him a force to be reckoned with.
For the second week in a row, Matt McKay earns this nod for Brisbane after another impressive performance for Postecoglou's new-look side. With so many new faces in there, we thought the Roar would struggle to gel in the opening part of the season. But with McKay really lifting his intensity and working hard to create space and passing options, the Roar have really exceeded expectations. And, having scored against Sydney the previous week, it was McKay who set up last week's winner for Kosta Barbarouses against Wellington.
Where the game will be won
This game could really come down to work rate, although it does look like Brisbane has the class to get the job done once again. A fortnight ago in Perth, Jets coach Culina attacked his players big time, saying there were too many passengers in the team who hadn't worked hard enough to create goalscoring chances against the Glory. Unfortunately for Culina, two of his most hard-working players on that day in Zadkovich and Wheelhouse are unavailable for this game, so the others will really have to step up to the plate.
For Brisbane, there are certainly no questions hanging over their work rate after three games from four rounds this year. Postecoglou has his new-look Roar side playing a very