Veteran defender Scott Neville to hang up his boots after 300 A-League appearances

One of the A-League’s longest serving players has decided it’s the right time to end his professional career.

Stalwart defender Scott Neville has called time on his professional football career, with the Brisbane Roar veteran to retire after making his 300th A-League appearance on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.

Fittingly, 36-year-old Neville’s final game will be against Western Sydney Wanderers, one of the three other clubs he represented in an A-League career that started in 2008 with Perth Glory and also included a stint with the Newcastle Jets.

“It’s kind of a full-tilt moment that my last game will be against Western Sydney Wanderers, but the main priority is the three points,” said Neville, who added it was the “right time” to retire after failing to rediscover his best form after suffering a serious knee injury in February last year.

“The reality is that I can no longer contribute at the level I would like.

“I am forever grateful to Brisbane Roar for their support during this transition and for giving me the opportunity to return to the pitch after such a significant injury at my age.

“Playing for this club has been an absolute privilege. Queensland has become home for my wife and I, we’ve built our forever home here and this is where we’ve started our family.”

Scott Neville shares his thoughts ahead of his 300th and final A-League game 🗣

Thanks for everything, Scott 🧡

Full interview → https://t.co/RpWDgoYGhUpic.twitter.com/ya1ezd1WU1

— Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroar) January 30, 2025

Neville joined the Roar in 2019, and has made 111 appearances in all competitions for the club.

He won a premiership with the Glory in 2019, but failed to taste success in the three grand finals and Australia Cup decider.

“I didn’t manage to win one, but winning the league (premiership) with Perth Glory was a huge achievement, and throughout the journey, the friendships you make on and off the pitch have been huge,” Neville said.

“I love the A-League. I love watching it, and I’ll be forever a fan.

“It’s a sad moment but it’s also one I’m ready for, and it’s exciting times ahead.”

Meanwhile, Suncorp Stadium’s playing surface has been given the all clear for Friday night’s game despite concerns about its condition following two recent music concerts.

American country music singer Luke Combs performed to packed crowds at the famous Brisbane venue last Friday and Saturday nights.

It led to the Roar having to change the date of a scheduled home match against Adelaide United.

However, with the Roar returning to Suncorp Stadium to meet the Wanderers, Western Sydney coach Alen Stajcic on Thursday predicted a “tough game” on a “revamped” pitch.

“We’ll see how we go, but certainly it’s an important game for us, as is every game now on,” Stajcic said.

Roar officials were also privately concerned by the potential state of the pitch, however the surface was understood to have passed an Australian Professional Leagues inspection late on Thursday.

It’s understood that while the pitch’s appearance wasn’t the best, that under foot it was adequate and better than it had been in similar circumstances after concerts at Suncorp Stadium in the past.

The Roar are searching for back-to-back wins after securing their first victory of the season with a last-start 4-3 defeat of Sydney FC.

Originally published as Veteran defender Scott Neville to hang up his boots after 300 A-League appearances