Debut at the Dome for Willis

Tom Willis makes his 2006/07 season debut this weekend at Telstra Dome in what could prove to be one of the most important games of the year for both clubs.

Miron Bleiberg informed both goalkeepers at the start of the season that he would implement a rotation policy with Willis always earmarked to start against Melbourne. Little did Willis know at the time that the match would develop into a top-of-the-table encounter and potential turning point for both clubs.

Willis said: “I’m surprised at how important the game against Melbourne Victory has turned out to be but not surprised at the fact that I’m playing. Miron told me at the beginning of the year that I would play in this match and I’m really looking forward to it now. They’re top of the table, we’re second and they’ve moved the game to the Telstra Dome where they’re expecting a big crowd. What more can you ask for?

“I’d certainly prefer coming in for a game like this even with the extra pressure involved. It’ll help me to perform and should help the rest of the team in the same way. I’d much prefer to have my start in this game, an important game, rather than a more low key match. This is the type of game that footballers want to play in, but at the end of the day I’m just happy to be starting.”

“Hopefully I’ll get a decent run of games like Liam (Reddy) did and be able to get my consistency going. We’ve got such a strong squad and any player can come into the side and perform just as well as the player he’s replaced. With that depth it’s to be expected that there will be rotation. It keeps everyone fresh, on their toes and fighting for a place in the team,” he added.

Tension will be in plentiful supply at Telstra Dome on Sunday with the home side expected to go all out to win the match and open up a seven-point gap on second-placed Roar, but Willis says he’d rather make his season debut in a game that will test him.

“I’m looking forward to being involved in the game for the whole ninety minutes. That’ll help me with my game as well because your confidence grows as you get more involved in the match and get plenty of touches of the ball.

“Our backline is excellent and will keep me well protected I’m sure, just like they did last season and have continued to do this season. We’ve kept the core of our defence from the first year and added to it to make it even stronger. Our defensive record was already very good and this year it’s even better. As a team we are confident that we can go down there and get a result because we have proved we are tough to beat.

“It’s a great stadium and they say there will be a big crowd so I can’t wait. I’ve got a few family members coming down to watch and it should be a great one for the fans,” he said.

Queensland Roar Squad: Tom Willis (gk), Andrew Packer, Chad Gibson, Josh McCloughan, Stuart McLaren, Marcus Wedau, Massimo Murdocca, Simon Lynch, Ante Milicic, Reinaldo da costa, Yuning Zhang, Spase Dilevski, Matthew McKay, Hyuk-Su Seo, Dario Vidosic, Sasa Ognenovski, Liam Reddy (gk). *Two to be Omitted.

In: Spase Dilevski (promoted), Stuart McLaren (return from calf injury). Out: nil. Unavailable: nil.

A-League Round 6

Melbourne Victory vs Queensland Roar
Sunday Evening, October 1
Telstra Dome, Melbourne
Kick off: 5:00pm (local/AEST)

The match will be the first live Australian sporting event on Australia’s newest sports channel, Fox Sports 3. Broadcast begins at 4:30pm (AEST) with a full preview before kick-off.