Brisbane Roar take on A-League Men competition leaders Melbourne City away on Sunday with the task of stopping a striker who has scored more goals on his own this year than the Roar have as a collective
Brisbane Roar have scored 17 goals this season and Melbourne City striker Jamie Maclaren has 18.
It is a statistic that partly explains why City are out in front on the ALM ladder with 37 points and the Roar are more than two wins outside the top six on 20 points.
Roar defender Scott Neville said he was looking forward to the challenge of playing a role in shutting down Maclaren who he said was a brilliant player and a product of the chances created by a well oiled machine at City.
"His goal threat is up there. He is going to break the all-time (ALM goal scoring) record. It is inevitable that he will," Neville said.
"He is a great striker. He is part of the Socceroos and he is the main number nine in the league so it is a good test for whoever plays at the back.
"It is always a big task."
Neville said the Roar hadn't given up hope of making the finals but conceded the trip to AAMI Park was as tough as it gets.
"We are going there full of confidence," he said.
"All the boys are excited to get down to Melbourne and play on a great pitch. Hopefully we can come away with the three points."
"There is no hiding from the fact that they have the biggest budget in the league and attract some great players...but we kept (Maclaren) quiet in the last game.
"We are going to have to work overtime but it's a job we are going to have to do (again)."
Both teams are coming off a loss. The Roar lost 3-2 away to Macarthur while City were upset 4-2 away by Adelaide United.
