Not GC but LA: Beckham comes to Brisbane in November

Version 4 could be the Roars most vital season.

Struggling through critical financial pain in versions 1 and 2, we can assume that the club, with its restructured shareholder base, did OK in version 3. The sale of Reinaldo, with a season to run on his contract should have helped (although it doesn't appear to have helped him - from what I can tell - and the Korea league is not very transparent - he doesn't seem to have have played yet).

The Roar are now in pre-season. And I am looking forward to trial matches to have a look at Tim Smits and David Dodd in Roar shirts.

Apparently, the Roar is trying to sign two Brazilians. Hopefully one will be a giant full back. Just a suggestion Frank.

Hopefully no one will succumb to temptation and sell Robbie Kruse. With a bit more energy, Kruse could be the best player in the A-League. And it seems bizarre that Zullo and Minniecon where chosen ahead of Kruse for Olympics training camp.

The Roar's 4th season opens in Wellington on 17 August. The first 2 home games are against Adelaide (remember Og anyone?) on Sunday 24 August and Central Coast on 31 August.

Making up for our turn at the 10 home game season, it looks like the Roar will play Beckham's LA Galaxy in November. However, the traditional v Sydney end to the season has been stuffed up, with the Roar playing Sydney at home on 17 January and then poor old Perth at home on 24 January.

There is no news on a season opener, similar to last year, against an African team

I am surprised that while other exiting players have been removed from the Roar's player list Stuart McLaren is still there. Given the lack of power at the back, let's hope he stays. He is currently captain coach of the Brisbane Strikers in the Qld State League. The Strikers are coming 4th in a field of 10 after 5 rounds. The biggest news from this league for Roar fans is the emergence and signing of 16 year old Tom Oar currently with the Queensland Academy of Sport. QAS is sixth with only one win. But Oar is leading the most valuable player ratings. Oar has scored 4 goals, well behind Barry Moran from Redlands City Devils and Shaun Blackman from leaders Sunshine Coast FC who have both had 4 goal games and who both have scored 8 goals in 5 games. The rate of goal scoring fests indicates the league quality is quiet varied.