As the Brisbane Roar infirmary grows larger, new coach Ben Cahn will look to the January transfer window to source support from his old stomping ground...
Hassan Ramazani
Club: Lions FC
Fleet-footed fullback-cum-centreback Hassan Ramazani has been repping the orange of another club since his release from Brisbane Roar. His departure after a five-year tenure, which included an A-League Men debut, opened the door to roar for Lions FC.
Ramazani's raw physicality is juxtaposed by an elegance on the ball unbecoming of a defender. Navigating opposition presses with ease, a scything passing range allows him to turn defence into attack in seconds, a skillset scarcely seen in Australian centrebacks.
Since his debut, he has been a staple of the Lions' lineup, wrapping up a premiership in 2022 and wrangling Lions a fifth consecutive finals appearance last season. Earning a place in the 2023 NPL QLD Team of the Year for his troubles, Ramazani will be raring to go should Roar come calling.
Daniel Leck
Club: Olympic FC
Daniel Leck relinquished his attacking prowess as he was required at right-back in Brisbane Roar's all-time worst A-League Men defence of 2018/19. Deemed surplus to requirements by Robbie Fowler, he was cast into the vast wilderness of semi-pro football.
It was his linkup with then Olympic FC coach Ben Cahn that unlocked the Leck of today. A savvy and skilful goal scorer, his penchant for a set-piece supplements his ability on the ball. Traditionally a winger, he added playmaking to his 49-goal repertoire, deployed oft as an attacking midfielder for Olympic.
While club honours have eluded him, his attacking artistry has made him a staple in the NPL QLD Team of the Year. 2020's NPL Queensland Player of the Year, Leck has unfinished business at the Roar, with Cahn coming as his catharsis.
Andy Pengelly
Club: Lions FC
The name that most often comes to mind when discussing potential NPL acquisitions, the prevalence of Andy Pengelly is a testament to his ability. Still without an A-League Men deal, and with Brisbane Roar still without a striker, Pengelly's promotion to professionalism is nothing but necessitated.
After turning heads with a 52-goal season for Brisbane Strikers in 2019, the two-time golden boot winner has hit double figures in every season he has played, scoring an astonishing 166 goals in 165 games. Capable of playing with his back to goal or off the shoulder, Pengelly's positional prowess allows him to poach from anywhere vaguely resembling a box.
Now leading the line for Lions after ushering in two premierships at Peninsula Power, the 26-year-old has reached his ceiling in the NPL QLD. Not unfamiliar with scoring against A-League Men opposition, notching goals against Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne City in Strikers' Australia Cup semi-final run, the forward would transition seamlessly to the top flight.
Oskar Dillon
Club: Gold Coast Knights FC
Another ex-A-League entrant on the list, Oskar Dillon will not be left satisfied with his seven game stint for Western United in 2020. A three time NPL Champion, twice with Gold Coast Knights and once with Oakleigh Cannons, he can add a NPL QLD Young Player of the Year award to his growing list of honours.
An unflappable defender partial to a tough tackle, his similarity to David Luiz filters into his freekick taking, securing the 2019 NPL QLD Championship off of a 25-metre dead ball. Dillon's coastie approach to centreback would add some much needed surf into a Roar defence that's struggling to swim.
The 24-year-old has attracted the eye of A-League clubs over the years, trialling with Brisbane Roar and Wellington Phoenix. Now augmenting ability with experience, having only missed two league games over the past two seasons, his return to professionalism is palpable.
Comentários