Brisbane Roar coach John Aloisi believes they are in better shape compared to this time last year as they prepare for their final preseason match against A-League opposition.
The Roar will field a near full-strength team for Tuesday's friendly against Perth Glory in Sydney, with new signing Brett Holman, star winger Tommy Oar and goalkeeper Jamie Young the only senior faces to sit out.
Holman is still being eased into full training while Oar (groin) and Young (finger) are dealing with minor injuries.
However, former Danish international Thomas Kristensen -- the replacement for Brisbane's departed player of the year Corona -- has overcome some recent knee troubles and will play.
"We've had a bit of turnover but the core group is still here," Aloisi told reporters on Monday.
"If I look back and see where we were last preseason to where we are, we feel we're ahead.
"We've changed a little bit, the way we play, but not too much. I feel we're a lot more fluent than where we were, this time last year, when we've got the ball and defensively, we're ahead.
"It's nice to see the progression of the group."
Brisbane finished one game short of the grand final last season, losing 5-4 away to Western Sydney in their semifinal.
The Roar only faced the Glory last month in the FFA Cup, losing 2-0 at Ballymore Stadium in the round of 32, but sought an extra preseason game after their scheduled clash with Central Coast last weekend was washed out.
They also face an NPL Queensland select team on Saturday before hosting Melbourne Victory at Suncorp Stadium in the A-League season opener on Oct. 7.