Roar can make A-League history: Aloisi

John Aloisi believes Brisbane Roar have enough big-game players to become the first side to win the A-League from outside the top two.

Brisbane Roar coach John Aloisi

John Aloisi says Brisbane Roar has what it takes to win the A-League from outside the top two. (AAP)

Brisbane Roar are taking inspiration from the AFL's Western Bulldogs as they eye a historic fourth A-League championship.

No team has won the A-League finals series from outside the top two but Aloisi is confident the Roar - who finished third on the ladder - can break the mould as the Bulldogs did last year from seventh position in the AFL.

"We know it can be done," coach John Aloisi said ahead of Friday's elimination final against Western Sydney at Suncorp Stadium.

"A lot of things happen in sport and we have got a squad that can go all the way."

Most of the statistics appear to be in Brisbane's favour as they prepare to face Tony Popovic's stubborn, sometimes silky Wanderers side.

Firstly, they've never lost a finals match in nine attempts at Suncorp Stadium.

They boast plenty of players who have done it before not just those who played in their three previous title-winning sides, with new additions Brett Holman, Avraam Papadopoulos and Thomas Kristensen all having lifted major trophies in Europe.

And they also have the wood over the Wanderers this season.

Brisbane are unbeaten in three meetings since last year's crazy 5-4 semi-final defeat at Parramatta Stadium, but Aloisi said they were not seeking revenge over that result.

"They're well-organised, they've got some dangerous players going forward and defensively, their structures are good," Aloisi said.

"But we know how they play and we do match up well against them."

Then there's the Thomas Broich factor.

While the Roar are unhappy the dual Johnny Warren medallist didn't wait until the end of the season to announce his pending departure from the club, they are hoping to channel their emotions in the right way before 20,000 fans for what could be his last A-League appearance at Suncorp Stadium.

"This football team's had a lot of distractions and it's never bothered them," Aloisi said.

"I spoke to (Broich) yesterday afternoon, gave him a call just to see how he was.

"He said 'I'm preparing exactly the same as I would any other game.'

"That's all I wanted to hear. That's the professional he is."

If the Roar win they are guaranteed to meet Melbourne Victory in the second week of the finals while the Wanderers will set up a derby semi-final against Sydney FC with an upset in Brisbane.

STATS THAT MATTER

* The Wanderers have won only one of their last seven excursions to Suncorp Stadium (D1, L5), earning a 4-1 win in March 2015.

* There have been 13 goals scored in the Wanderers' last two finals fixtures, including a nine-goal thriller against Brisbane (5-4).

* Three of Brisbane Roar's last six A-League finals fixtures have been against the Wanderers, of which they've won just one (L2).


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Source: AAP



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