Football
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Melbourne were 'physically a lot stronger than' Brisbane - John Aloisi

Deflated Brisbane Roar coach John Aloisi has rued his side's inability to perform on the A-League semifinal stage.

For the second year in a row under his leadership, the Roar have been good enough to make it to the final four of the competition.

Each time, they've fallen short.

Sunday night's 1-0 loss to Melbourne Victory was a bitter pill for Aloisi to swallow.

Brisbane were a shadow of the side that had won five of their previous seven matches and Aloisi was confident of upsetting Victory for a place in the Grand Final.

"We just weren't able to play our football that we had been playing," he said. "That's the thing I'm most disappointed about.

"I'm deflated because I wanted to make a Grand Final. All the boys are as well."

Brisbane arrived in Melbourne having played three matches in the last 15 days, whereas Victory had played none.

After juggling his players between league and continental commitments, Aloisi said he could sense his side was second best from kick-off.

"They looked fresher. They were physically a lot stronger than us," he said.

"Victory were the better side on the night from start to finish. They deserved to win."

The ex-Socceroo is out of contract but said he expected to stay on at the Roar, saying he has "agreed in terms so hopefully soon I'll sign an agreement."

While Aloisi will stay, other changes will follow.
#INSERT type:image caption: Brisbane Roar bowed out in the A-League semifinals for the second year in a row. END#

Influential German Thomas Broich has a farewell Asian Champions League dead rubber to play and will leave the club, as will golden boot winner Jamie Maclaren, expected to seek a European move.

Aloisi said he envisaged an off-season of renovation, not revolution.

"We feel that we've still got players in there that want to win and that are good enough to win trophies," he said.

"Brett Holman is going to be better for this season. A lot of young players are coming through that are looking good and we've still got experienced players.

"We'll be there or thereabouts next season.

"We've had a tough, tough year in terms of the amount of games and the injuries we've had through the season ... to still be in a position to go to the Grand Final was remarkable.

"Our team is definitely better than last season. Hopefully we can improve again."

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