Brisbane Roar has confirmed the departure of twelve players as part of a significant overhaul under their new Sporting Director, James Gow. This decision follows the club's disappointing performance in the 2026 season, where they failed to qualify for the finals despite a strong start under coach Michael Valkanis.

Player Departures

Eight players will leave the Roar at the conclusion of their contracts, including Ben Warland, Austin Ludwik, Antonee Burke-Gilroy, Michael Ruhs, Ben Halloran, Chris Long, Quinn MacNicol, and Jacob Brazete. Additionally, three players on loan—Marius Lode, Youstin Salas, and Socceroos World Cup hopeful Nick D’Agostino—will return to their parent clubs. This reshaping of the squad marks a pivotal moment for the club as they look to redefine their football strategy.

Strategic Changes Ahead

In a statement released on Friday, Brisbane Roar emphasized that these changes are part of a broader squad redesign spearheaded by Gow. The club aims to implement a refreshed recruitment direction to enhance their competitive edge. This restructuring follows the recent sale of Sam Klein to FC St. Pauli in the Bundesliga for a substantial transfer fee, alongside the departure of Georgios Vrakas, who still had a year remaining on his contract.

As Brisbane Roar embarks on this new chapter, the focus will be on rebuilding and improving their performance in the upcoming seasons.