Brisbane Roar in tight race with Canberra United for the final place in the A-League’s Women’s finals series

Laini Freier knows the Brisbane Roar have a bit of work to do if they want to play finals but says the key to success is to simply ‘believe’ in a tight finals race.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 26: Laini Freier of the Roar in action during the round 18 A-League Women's match between Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City at Perry Park, on March 26, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Believe – it was the catch phrase made famous by fictional football coach Ted Lasso and Laini Freier says it will be the key to Brisbane Roar keeping their A-League’s Women’s finals hopes alive.

Early on this season Roar were premier contenders just a point from the top of the table but after what Freier calls a “slip” they are fighting to stay in the race for finals.

Roar sit seventh on the ladder, just two points behind sixth placed Canberra United.

They have lost their last five matches in a row and haven’t had an outright win since their 1-0 victory over Wellington Phoenix back in early February.

Freier could blame a string of injuries, including a season ending one to her sister Sharn, on their mid-season hiccup, but instead said there was no excuse.

They just simply had to do better.

Laini Freier says belief will be the key to Brisbane Roar keeping their A-Leagues Womens finals hopes alive. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“We’ve spoken together, we know that we’re a good side, we know we could have been in the top four and for whatever reason, I’m not sure, we slipped and know if we go back to playing the way we were playing then we can definitely make finals,” Freier said.

Roar made an unprecedented move over last week’s international break taking the team to Singapore for an exhibition match against the Singapore Women’s Premier League All Stars.

Brisbane had a huge 7-1 victory.

Freier, who didn’t make the trip, said the experience, win and huge confidence boost could not have come at a better time.

If Roar want to keep in the race for finals they have to first beat Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday.

Wanderers sit on the bottom of the table and are on a four-game losing streak.

But Freier said the nature of the ALW meant there was no such thing as an easy win.

“Anything can happen in this league, any team can lose to anyone,” Freier said.

“We just have to keep believing in ourselves.

“We’ve been very unlucky in a few games lately with results and I think if we can get our defence right we should walk away with a win. We are making too many silly mistakes and handing teams goals – if we can get that sorted then we will be fine.”

Roar isn’t the only team channelling Lasso’s catchphrase with Canberra United also confident believe is all they need to keep them in finals contention.

Sunday’s game will be Michelle Heyman’s 200th in the A-League’s Women’s. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Canberra, who haven’t played finals since 2020-21, will take on Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.

The match, which will be Michelle Heyman’s 200th ALW game, is a must win if they want to keep their finals hopes alive.

It’s a feat that isn’t lost on Emma Robers who joined the side at the start of the season after a stint at Western United.

Robers, is well versed in the pressures of finals football – every team she has played in since making her ALW debut in 2019 has made the cut.

“Many people like to say pressure is a privilege and I really believe that,” she said.

“I think we’ve worked really hard to get ourselves here, as much as there is pressure, it is probably the most exciting pressure as a footballer.”

The message from coach Antoni Jagarinec this week has been self-belief.

Emma Robers joined Canberra United this year after a stint at Western United. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“We’ve had moments where we doubt where we are at, or if we are good enough but we got ourselves into this position, we believe we deserve to stay there and believe we are good enough to stay there,” Robers said.

“It’s all about ensuring everyone has a positive mindset and ambitious mindset.”

The fact Canberra are even in the race is monumental given they finished 11th last season and had to effectively rebuild the entire team.

“This is a huge reflection on how much work has been put in,” Robers said.

“They knew it was going to take time, it wasn’t like we were going to come out in round one and be playing perfect football, it has taken time but everyone’s bought into the process and we’ve made it here.”

Originally published as Brisbane Roar in tight race with Canberra United for the final place in the A-League’s Women’s finals series