In 2016, he helped Brisbane Roar knock Melbourne Victory out in week 1 of the Hyundai A-League Final Series. Now James Donachie wants to turn the tables for the Big V this Sunday.
The imposing centre-back wore the orange of Roar last season as they beat Victory in week 1 of the Final Series, courtesy of a late Thomas Broich winner after an intoxicating finish to the game.
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Having joined Victory in the off-season, Donachie says his former team-mates have been in touch this week.
“Definitely a bit of banter flying around, started as soon as they won [against Wanderers],” he told melbournevictory.com.au.
“If I can do them over in this final, I’m probably going to be one of the happiest players on the park,” he laughed.
FORM BOOK OUT THE WINDOW
Victory come into Sunday’s do-or-die game in patchy form, having won just two of their past six matches.
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But Donachie says they can get the job done.
“That was on us, but we can look forward [now],” he said.
“We’ve got something to achieve. We’ve got something to go out there and win.
“If we didn’t have motivation for this game we’d been in a lot of strife – but everyone does,” he added.
TRAVEL COULD BE A THAI-BREAKER
Brisbane Roar have the added pressure of a midweek Asian Champions League meeting with Muangthong United in Thailand on Wednesday night in the heat and humidity of Bangkok.
“I’ve played ACL before, I know what it’s like,” said Donachie.
“It’s a lot of long flights. They’ve got the game Wednesday, so we’ll have a better idea who they take over and who they’re going to rest.
“But it’s a good advantage,” he said.
