A-League blog: Marco Monteverde looks at the Brisbane Roar players coming off contract

DECISION time is fast looming at Brisbane Roar with almost half the squad entering the final six months of their contracts. Join our live blog at noon!

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 18: Brandon Borrello of the Roar is congratulated by team mates Matt McKay (L) and Jamie Maclaren (R) after scoring a goal during the round two A-League match between the Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners at Suncorp Stadium on October 18, 2015 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

DECISION time is fast looming at Brisbane Roar with almost half the squad entering the final six months of their contracts.

Coach John Aloisi won’t be able to keep all of his off-contract players, and won’t want to keep all of them as he bids to put more of his own stamp on the squad after inheriting players signed by the previous regime.

It’s likely not all of the off-contract brigade will want to stay either.

Rumours have surfaced that Brandon Borrello could be leaving next month. The Roar want to keep him, but he hasn’t been the same player in the past few weeks and failed to make Brisbane’s match-day squad for the 2-1 win over Wellington.

It’s been quite a fall from grace for the 20-year-old attacker after his Young Footballer of the Year nomination in October.

He’s not the only one currently on the outer. Devante Clut has rarely been used this season after his great finish to the previous campaign.

Clut needs to show more when given his chances to earn a new contract.

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Costa Rican striker Jean Carlos Solorzano is another coming off contract. His attitude in testing injury times has impressed Aloisi.

If he can get his body right, Solorzano, who is married to a Brisbane woman and has started the naturalisation process, is a great chance of being offered a new deal.

Brandon Borrello could be leaving the Roar. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

It will be hard for the Roar not to offer Daniel Bowles a new contract. Having started the season as the club’s fourth-choice central defender, Bowles has played every minute of every Brisbane match this season and continues to keep James Donachie confined to the bench.

Bowles’s central defensive partner Jade North is enjoying a new lease of life this season, thriving under Aloisi. He too is off contract, but his experience and form makes him worthy of an extension.

Fullback Jack Hingert is another to have grown in confidence due to the faith being shown in him by Aloisi. He won’t want to go anywhere and also deserves a new deal.

Midfielder Steve Lustica again showed his worth on Saturday. His excellent attitude, combined with his ability to impress in the few chances he has received this season, makes him a player that club will want to keep beyond this season.

Jade North makes a tackle against Wellington Phoenix in Cairns. Picture: Marc McCormack

The same can be said about “Slippery Fish” Henrique, who has a similar love for the club and a similar positive vibe regardless of whether he starts or is among the substitutes.

Also helping Henrique’s cause for a new deal is the fact he is no longer classed as a visa player.

Goalkeeper Jamie Young has grown into the role and has proven to be a worthy deputy for Michael Theo, who has hardly played in the past 16 months. Young will be stiff to miss out on a new deal.

The only off-contract player certain to not be around next season is veteran left back Shane Stefanutto, who will retire at the end of the 2015-16 campaign.

But as for the rest, they are all still playing for their futures.

Originally published as A-League blog: Marco Monteverde looks at the Brisbane Roar players coming off contract