Last year's near-flawless Premiership and Championship double by Brisbane Roar was the crowning achievement of the A-League's six seasons.

Defeated only once all campaign, Ange Postecoglou took a squad expected to have been decimated by the loss of some of Australia's brightest young talent - Luke DeVere, Michael Zullo, Adam Sarota and Tommy Oar - and established the most technically-formidable gameplay seen in domestic football in this country. Precise organisation and stoicism in defense, relentless movement and speed in midfield, and a group of attackers each blessed with a lethal final touch won the plaudits of football fans the nation over.

However, opposition supporters will attest, and hope, that success can be fleeting. This off-season, Roar have seen their captain and most influential player Matt McKay succumb to an irresistible offer from Scottish giant Glasgow Rangers, and their prolific goal-scorers Jean Carlos Solorzano and Kosta Barbarouses move to Melbourne Victory and Russian outfit FC Alania Vladikavkaz, respectively.

In McKay, the club loses its midfield fulcrum, a player responsible for so many deep, attacking runs and last-gasp defensive tackles throughout the previous half-dozen years. His loss will be felt hard. The football marketplace can replenish a lost midfielder's verve but the intangibles of leadership, work ethic and respect are far rarer commodities.

Brisbane Roar must, and no doubt will, adapt to their off-season changes, but likely at the expense of the footballing purity we bore witness to last term.

German Thomas Broich will again provide the technical crispness and finesse in midfield, and it is likely that the consistency of his performance this summer will ultimately determine Brisbane's fate in autumn. The addition of the towering-but-injury prone Matthew Jurman from Sydney FC to partner new captain Matt Smith in the centre of defence will undoubtedly prove a point of curiosity early on; his ability to play a full season may finally prove his worthiness for national duty. Their triumvirate with the ever-impressive Michael Theoklitos in goal may allow the likes of full-backs Shane Steffanuto - himself hoping for an injury-free season - and Ivan Franjic to aid the midfield stability.

For all the arguments about their new-look squad, Brisbane will again provide the best watching of the new A-League season. But where the goals may no longer flow as freely, the beauty of the team's evolution will entice.

BRISBANE ROAR

COACH: Ange Postecoglou

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: Thomas Broich

PLAYER TO WATCH: Matthew Jurman

LAST YEAR: 1st (P:30  W:18  D:11  L:1  GD:+32)

PREDICTED FINISH THIS YEAR: 3rd

SOURCE OF INSPIRATION IN 2011-12:

As the chasing pack closes on Roar, Postecoglou need look no further for inspiration in the re-build than to Kardinia Park, home of Geelong FC. While the unerring speculation of the 2010 AFL season finally materialized into Gary Ablett's move north to captain the Gold Coast Suns' inaugural side, the Brisbane Roar hierarchy can take solace in the performance of Ablett's former side this term. Yes, the loss of Matt McKay from a team of 10 outfield players is a proportionally more significant loss than one from that of 18, but when that one was as revered as Ablett in name and action, the loss was expected to be difficult for the Cats to cover. And then 2011 season commenced. New blood, and a new coach with new roles, new responsibilities and a new team ethos underpinned Geelong's 18-win year, and propelled them to an equally emphatic display in their first Final against Hawthorn. Mitch Duncan fulfilled Ablett's goal quota, Joel Selwood his tackle count, and Steve Johnson his guile and brilliance. Funnily enough, the Cats may yet prove to be a more complete side without their little genius. Postecoglou, a former Melburnian, would have taken note.