Central Coast Mariners left full-back Joshua Rose is excited about the prospect of returning to Brisbane as a Footballer for the first time in five years this Wednesday night, as the Mariners tackle Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium.
Central Coast Mariners left full-back Joshua Rose is excited about the prospect of returning to Brisbane as a Footballer for the first time in five years this Wednesday night, as the Mariners tackle Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium.
Rose spent three seasons at Brisbane Strikers after arriving in the Queensland capital from Rockhampton, and trialled with the Queensland Roar – as Brisbane were then named – before signing with New Zealand Knights in the inaugural Hyundai A-League season.
“You-ve just got to take what comes at you in football. It was just one of those things, Miron Blieberg made his decision and I had to look elsewhere. I don-t have any regrets and I-m enjoying my football here now so it-s all turned out all right,” Rose said.
It-s a top of the table clash sure to get pulses racing, as the Mariners, with a game in hand over Brisbane and two in hand of the league leader Adelaide, aim to narrow the gap at the summit, at a ground they return to following a 3-nil thumping of Brisbane in their last visit.
“It-s a massive game for both of us, it-s a six point game for both of us and if we can get the three points it-s going to put us in great stead with our games in hand and a lot of tough away games coming up.
“We have to get as many points as we can on the road so if we can get three points it will be magnificent.
“I saw them play on the weekend and they play a lot of good 1-2 touch football, they move it about and have a lot of great players so it-s definitely going to be tough, and we-re going to have to concentrate for 100% of the game,” said Rose.
The Roar enjoyed their biggest gate of the season last Saturday in a 1-all draw with Newcastle Jets as over 10-thousand fans poured through the gates, and Rose is hoping a similar sized attendance this Wednesday, will feature some familiar faces.
“My wife-s got a lot of family there, she grew up there. I-ve got a lot of friends there as well and obviously it is a bit special for me because I played a lot of football there growing up, but I have to treat it like any other game.
“Half of them will probably be Jeni-s family, so hopefully they get a good crowd again, it-s always good to play in front of a big crowd, Suncorp is a great stadium, a great pitch so I-m looking forward to going there and playing,” said Rose.