Honestly, if you’ve been looking at the Brisbane Roar FC standings lately, you’re probably feeling a mix of cautious optimism and total confusion. One week they look like world-beaters, and the next, they’re struggling to find the back of the net. As of mid-January 2026, the Roar is sitting in 5th place.
It's a strange spot.
They have 18 points from 13 matches. That puts them right in the middle of a massive logjam where a single win could catapult them into the top three, but a loss might see them slide toward the bottom of the finals-bound teams. Auckland FC is currently leading the pack with 24 points, while Sydney FC is breathing down their necks at 22. The Roar is basically the gatekeeper of the top half right now.
The Numbers Behind the Table
The stats tell a story of a team that is incredibly hard to beat but sometimes struggles to actually win. Their record stands at 5 wins, 3 draws, and 5 losses.
Usually, a 5th-place team has a positive goal difference. Not Brisbane. They’ve scored 11 goals and conceded 12. That $-1$ goal difference is a nagging reminder that while the defense is holding firm, the frontline is still looking for that clinical edge. Michael Valkanis has them playing a very specific style—organized, disciplined, but maybe a bit too conservative at times.
If you look at the home vs. away split, there is a clear trend.
At Suncorp, they’ve picked up 10 points.
On the road? Only 8.
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It’s not a huge gap, but in a league as tight as the Isuzu UTE A-League Men, those away points are the difference between a home semi-final and a stressful trip to Perth or Auckland.
Who is actually scoring?
Justin Vidic has been the revelation. He’s the top scorer with 3 goals. While 3 goals doesn't sound like a "Golden Boot" pace, in a team that has only scored 11 total, he is essentially the entire offense. Jay O’Shea is still doing Jay O’Shea things, pulling the strings in midfield and chipping in with 2 goals of his own.
Recent Form: A Rollercoaster in Orange
The last few weeks have been... let's say "eventful."
- January 9, 2026: A disappointing 0–2 loss to Auckland FC at Suncorp. This was a reality check. Over 9,000 fans showed up, but the Roar just couldn't break through.
- January 6, 2026: A narrow 1–0 loss to Melbourne City.
- January 3, 2026: The low point. A 0–3 thumping by Wellington Phoenix.
Wait, notice a pattern? The Brisbane Roar FC standings took a massive hit in early January because of a three-game losing streak. Before that, things were looking great. They had a solid 2–1 win over Central Coast Mariners and a 1–0 victory against Adelaide United in December.
This current slump is what has fans nervous. When you lose three on the bounce without scoring a single goal, people start asking questions about the tactics.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Standings
A lot of casual fans look at the table and think the Roar is "failing" because they aren't in the top two. That’s a bit unfair. You have to remember the context of the 2025/26 season.
Auckland FC came in with massive investment and has disrupted the traditional power balance. The fact that Brisbane is still ahead of Melbourne City (17 points) and Melbourne Victory (17 points) is actually quite impressive given the budget differences.
The defense, led by Dean Bouzanis in goal, has actually been one of the best in the league. Bouzanis has 6 clean sheets. That is elite. If the Roar were sitting in 10th, you’d blame the keeper. But they’re in 5th because the defense is actually keeping them afloat while the strikers find their boots.
The Impact of Transfers
Losing Lucas Herrington to the Colorado Rapids in early January was a blow. He was a rock in that defensive unit. Then you have the departure of Marcus Ferkranus. The squad is getting a bit thin.
On the flip side, the loan of Youstin Salas from Sporting San José has been a masterstroke. He’s currently one of the highest-rated players in the league based on defensive metrics. He's basically a human vacuum in the midfield.
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The Road Ahead: Can They Stay in the Top Six?
The next few fixtures are going to define the season. They’ve got Perth Glory away on January 16. Perth is currently in 9th, but they are only 2 points behind Brisbane.
That is how tight this league is.
If Brisbane loses that game, they could literally drop from 5th to 9th in a single weekend. That is terrifying for a coach. But if they win, and Macarthur or Newcastle Jets stumble, they are right back in the hunt for a top-four spot.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking the Brisbane Roar FC standings for betting or just pure fandom, keep an eye on these three things:
- The First 15 Minutes: Brisbane tends to start slow. If they concede early, they rarely come back to win. They are a "front-runner" team this year.
- Jay O’Shea’s Fitness: He’s 37. He’s still the best player on the pitch, but if he picks up a niggle, the creative output of this team drops to almost zero.
- The January Transfer Window: They desperately need another goal threat. With Herrington gone, there might be some salary cap room to bring in a striker. If they don't, 5th place might be their ceiling.
The Roar isn't out of the race, but they are definitely wobbling. The defense is a fortress, but a fortress without a counter-attack eventually falls. They need Vidic to keep finding space and O'Shea to keep finding Vidic. If those two clicks, Suncorp will be buzzing come finals time.
Monitor the squad list for any late-January signings. A fresh pair of legs in the final third could be the catalyst that turns those 0–0 draws and narrow 1–0 losses into the three points they need to secure a home playoff game.