Robbie Fowler says Roar fans need to flock to Suncorp Stadium

Brisbane Roar coach Robbie Fowler has implored the club’s supporters to flock to Suncorp Stadium this weekend, saying the atmosphere otherwise doesn’t compare to their Redcliffe games.

THE A-League’s most supported club needs its fans more than ever on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium.

That’s the message from Roar coach Robbie Fowler as he searches for any possible edge over the Central Coast Mariners.

As reported by The Courier-Mail last week, the results of a 12-month long national poll conducted by renowned market research company Roy Morgan placed the Roar at the top of the A-League in terms of support, with 523,000 fans.

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But getting big crowds to Brisbane’s home matches, not including finals, has always been a problem area for the Roar.

It’s a reason why Fowler would like to see more Roar home games played at 10,000-capacity Dolphin Stadium, where two weeks ago in front of 9387 fans Brisbane fought back from 3-1 down to beat A-League leaders Melbourne City 4-3.

Brisbane Roar coach Robbie Fowler speaks to media. Picture: AAP Image/Glenn Hunt

There’s no doubt the atmosphere generated in the near-packed venue was a “12th man” for the Roar in their fighting win.

But a similarly sized crowd today at the 52,500-capacity Suncorp Stadium won’t generate anywhere near the same feeling, such is the size of the venue.

“The A-League’s been like this for a number of years now with teams playing in stadiums that are too big,” Fowler said.

“We’ve seen the atmosphere at Dolphin – it definitely helps the players when everyone’s behind the team.

“It proved ... just how good that little boutique stadium is, the atmosphere, the overall general game was a lot better because of the atmosphere.

“I’m all for playing in those stadiums, getting the crowd as big as possible, as noisy as you can. We’ll address that in the coming months and the coming year.”

A Roar fan celebrates a goal during the round six A-League match between Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City at Dolphin Stadium. Picture: Jono Searle/Getty Images

The Roar play two more matches at Dolphin Stadium this season but must otherwise settle for Suncorp Stadium when playing home games.

“We know (Suncorp Stadium) is probably not ideal in terms of reverberating that atmosphere, but whatever numbers are there, get behind the team, because like always we need the fans,” Fowler said.

“The poll tells us that people are ... supporting us. My advice would be come to watch us, come here and get as many people as we can.

“We want to get as many people in the stadium as we possibly can. The more the merrier as far as I’m concerned.”

But support aside, Fowler said it was up to Brisbane’s players to take responsibility for the Roar’s ordinary start to the season, particularly their disappointing 2-1 away loss to Wellington Phoenix last Saturday.

“We (the coaching staff) can give them as much motivational talk as we want. Players choose to hear what they want to hear – that’s the modern-day footballer,” he said.

“Players need to show a little bit of accountability and a little bit of ownership for themselves. Hopefully (today) will be that.”