Brisbane Roar v Perth Glory: Jamie Maclaren grabs goal against former club as Roar go top

JAMIE Maclaren scored against his old club as Brisbane Roar moved to the top of the A-League ladder with a 2-1 win over Perth Glory at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

ROAR striker Jamie Maclaren is a happy man as he departs for Olyroos duty, having scored against his former club Perth Glory in a 2-1 win that moved Brisbane to the top of the A-League ladder.

The Roar’s fourth successive victory lifted them into first place above Western Sydney. Both teams are on 27 points and have the same goal difference, but Brisbane have the edge thanks to scoring two more goals than the Wanderers.

In front of the Roar’s biggest home crowd of the season, 17,696, Maclaren proved a point to Glory coach Kenny Lowe with the game’s first goal and his seventh of the season in the 52nd minute.

Maclaren felt Lowe didn’t have sufficient belief in him during his time in Perth.

“I approached (this game) a bit different to any other fixture,” admitted Maclaren, who missed Brisbane’s 1-0 win over Perth in November due to Olyroos commitments.

“There’s a lot of history behind it, but that’s forgotten about. I just wanted to go out there and do well for my new club.”

Maclaren didn’t speak to Lowe before or after yesterday’s game.

“That’s something that we’ll have to talk about another day but it’s just about my team and we’re moving forward and I’m looking forward to going away next week (with the Olyroos),” he said.

Jamie Maclaren of the Roar shoots and scores against Perth Glory.

Maclaren and Roar teammates Brandon Borrello and James Donachie will miss at least three A-League matches while representing Australia at the AFC under-23 championships in Qatar, where the Olyroos have to finish in the top three to qualify for this year’s Olympics.

“I’m hopefully taking confidence into that,” said Brisbane’s leading goalscorer this season.

Lowe played down any tension between him and Maclaren, saying it was part of football for a player wanting to change clubs and that it was “difficult” for Maclaren in Perth last season having to play second fiddle to Irish international striker Andy Keogh.

Roar player Henrique (centre) celebrates Brisbane’s second.

“I think sometimes young lads want it a bit too quick … (but) fair play to him. He’s worked ever so hard, he’s improved and he scored today. I’m sure he’s feeling good about it,” Lowe said.

Ten minutes after Maclaren’s goal, Henrique lived up to his “super-sub” tag with a sublime effort from the edge of the penalty area that doubled Brisbane’s lead.

But the Glory weren’t done. Perth substitute Hagi Gligor scored with his first touch of the ball with 20 minutes left.

The visitors continued to attack and should have equalised in the 86th minute through Josh Risdon, but Brisbane keeper Jamie Young denied him at point-blank range in his man-of-the-match display.

Originally published as Brisbane Roar v Perth Glory: Jamie Maclaren grabs goal against former club as Roar go top