Head Coach Robbie Fowler sang Scott McDonald’s praises following the Roar’s 3-1 victory over Western Sydney on Friday night.
The striker was pulling all the strings against the Wanderers as he scored two goals in a Man of The Match performance.
Fowler highlighted the 36-year-old as being a key member of the squad who has been instrumental towards the Roar’s rich vein of form over the last few months.
“That was probably the only thing that he’s lacked since he got here. He’s an infectious character around the place, he’s good on the ball and he’ll bring others into the game,” Fowler said following the 3-1 win.
“His performances have been excellent since he’s been here. His performances have been a breath of fresh air – probably what we needed.
“We needed someone to come in and have the character and lift the lads.”
McDonald got the Roar off to a perfect start last Friday, opening his BRFC goalscoring account in the third minute with a scrambling effort.
The goal was the Roar’s first first-half goal in a number of matches, and the former Socceroo believes that it’s a testament to the improvement of the side.
“We’ve been renowned to be a team that starts slow in games, hopefully we’ve put that behind us now. It was probably the most complete performance that we’ve had this year,” McDonald said.
“Hopefully we can continue in that vein and start the games on a positive note. The way we pressed Western Sydney was key to that so hopefully we can do the same when Central Coast come on Friday night and put them on the backfoot early.”
Last week, McDonald opened up about his love affair with Australian Football with his piece for Athletes Voice.
After a few months back in Australia, he revealed that he was enjoying his football again and was comfortable being a role model for younger players.
“I was pretty open and candid in that interview about how I felt at that point but time’s a heeler isn’t it? It’s been my desire to come back to Australia for the last few years so to get that opportunity to come back, it’s been fantastic for me and the family,” McDonald said.
“I’m really loving it and embracing it. But I also want to help, I’ve had a good career, I’ve got good experience, so I want to help some of these younger players improve and give them opportunities as well and hopefully help them get to where they want to get to.
“I want to be here for a long time and do more within the game once I stop playing.”
With still four matches to be played at home, McDonald wants to see more orange in the crowd as they look to make the most of the run home.
“We turned the corner, the results have come and there seems to be a little bit more excitement about the Football club in and around the City now which is great,” McDonald said.
“We’re more than determined to get a home final, that’s what we want. We want to be in the finals but we believe that we’re as good as anyone in this competition, we’re a match for anyone, but we’ve got to keep proving that week in, week out.
“It’s been great, our fans have been great, we want more to come especially to Suncorp [Stadium] but when we went to Dolphins Stadium there was an amazing atmosphere there. We’ve just got to keep the momentum going.”
The Roar are back at Suncorp Stadium on Friday when they take on Central Coast, nine years to the day since the unforgettable Grand Final victory over the Mariners.
“We know it’s still going to be difficult but we’re at home where we’ve been absolutely fantastic since the turn of the year, unbeaten still and looking to keep that run going,” McDonald added.
