Rising Brisbane Roar star Thomas Waddingham set to depart troubled club as Jets add to woes

Teenage sensation Thomas Waddingham might have played his final home game for Brisbane as the Roar slumped to yet another loss.

Adam Zimarino sums up the feeling at the Roar. Picture: Getty Images

Teenage sensation Thomas Waddingham might have played his final home game for Brisbane as the Roar slumped to yet another loss on Tuesday night.

The Roar’s shocking A-League season continued at Suncorp Stadium where they were beaten 1-0 by fellow battlers Newcastle.

Brisbane remains the only A-League team without a win this season having picked up just two points from a possible 33.

However, Roar coach Ruben Zadkovich’s job somehow doesn’t seem under threat as he continues to be backed by the club’s chief executive officer Kaz Patafta.

“Something’s got to change,” former championship-winning Roar midfielder Erik Paartalu told Paramount Plus.

Roar coach Ruben Zadkovich after his side lost yet another game, this time to the Jets. Picture: Getty Images

Zadkovich blamed “financial constraints” for the club’s poor season.

“We have to stay very focused and very resilient in these tough times,” Zadkovich said.

“We have to focus on the longer term vision for this club, which is to build out of this.”

The Roar’s task is set to become even harder with 19-year-old Waddingham, regarded as one of Australia’s best young strikers, poised to leave the club when the transfer window opens next week.

English Championship club QPR has submitted a bid for Waddingham, while Portsmouth and Sheffield Wednesday are also interested in the youngster.

Thomas Waddingham is set to depart the Roar. Picture: Getty Images

His final appearance for the Roar could be on Saturday against Melbourne City at AAMI Park.

Waddingham was a notable absentee from Brisbane’s starting team on Tuesday night, but entered the contest in the final half-an-hour as the Roar searched for a goal.

While the Jets were the better team in the first-half, the hosts lifted after the break and created a handful of chances in an exciting 15-minute burst.

Substitute Sam Klein was heavily involved, twice forcing saves out of Newcastle goalkeeper Ryan Scott.

The 20-year-old midfielder should have then scored with a header from point-blank range in the 61st minute after being found at the far post by a beautifully placed free-kick from Keegan Jelacic.

However, Klein somehow failed to hit the target

Samuel Klein missed the Roar’s best chance at scoring a goal against the Jets. Picture: Getty Images

The Roar were left to rue that missed chance 13 minutes later when substitute Lachlan Rose put the Jets head.

Fed by a superb first-time ball across the face of Brisbane’s penalty area by Thomas Aquilina, Rose timed his run to the far post to perfection to score his first A-League goal since April 2023 during his stint with Macarthur.

It was enough to secure the Jets just their third win of the season.

Newcastle’s Kosta Grozos wins the battle for this header. Picture: Getty Images

Newcastle coach Rob Stanton was delighted with not only his side’s win but also the Jets keeping a clean sheet.

“I’m really proud of the players. We had to dig deep,” Stanton said.

Technology needed

Earlier, the lack of goal-line technology in the A-League may have cost Newcastle a goal in the 27th minute.

A left-footed strike from Jets midfielder Callum Timmins was too good for Roar goalkeeper Macklin Freke before hitting the underside of the crossbar.

While the ball bounced away to safety, replays suggest it might have crossed the goal-line after dropping down from the woodwork.

Jets players celebrate Lachlan Rose’s late winner. Picture: Getty Images

However, with no goal-line technology, and the absence of a camera on the goal-line, there wasn’t enough concrete evidence for a goal to be awarded.

The Jets continued to attack and should have scored in the 31st minute when former Brisbane midfielder Eli Adams fed teammate Aquilina.

But with only keeper Freke to beat, Aquilina’s shot was weak and directed too close to the grateful Brisbane custodian.

Newcastle had another chance seven minutes later, but the crossbar again came to the Roar’s rescue as it took the full brunt of a stinging half-volley from Adams.

Originally published as Rising Brisbane Roar star Thomas Waddingham set to depart troubled club as Jets add to woes