THEY are the awesome foursome whose grand final wizardry has created an A-League dynasty.
Brisbane Roar quartet Michael Theo, Henrique, Thomas Broich and Besart Berisha are peerless when it comes to firing on the code’s greatest stage.
The club’s two championships were earned, at least in part, on the back of their sublime individual performances and magical moments in the 2011 and 2012 grand finals.
Each has been responsible for at least one of those memorable acts, and Theo is regarded within the team as the personification of title excellence.
The goalkeeper has featured in four successful grand finals – two for Melbourne Victory and two for the Roar – and fancies his chances of a fifth against Western Sydney Wanderers.
Theo stepped up under the ultimate pressure in the 2011 decider at Suncorp Stadium with two diving saves in the penalty shootout against Central Coast Mariners.
“I love big occasions,” Theo said. “Not many get the privilege of a grand final and this is my fifth.
“You’ve got to make the most of it.”
Matt McKay captained the team to its 2011 title and returned this season to play a leading hand in the Roar’s resurgence.
He revealed the players had drawn on the experiences of Theo and co during grand final week.
“Theo’s a prime example. Four A-League titles, that’s huge,” McKay said.
“We sat around as a team earlier in the week and asked a bit of them, to show how they’ve done it in the past.
“Everyone listened.”
The man who stitched it all together was Broich.
Broich had a hand in every grand final goal the Roar has scored, setting up Henrique, Berisha and Erik Paartalu with precise assists.
The Roar’s smallest player, Henrique has been one of the biggest contributors.
When the Roar were down 2-0 in the 2011 decider it was Henrique who struck to spark the epic comeback.
And the little Brazilian was just as cool when he stabbed home the deciding penalty in the shootout.
“It’s a blessing. Such a help to have so many players who have played grand finals and know what to do,” he said of the foursome.
“For me, it’s the atmosphere.
“It’s massive. But it’s still another game of football.
“The only difference is there needs to be a (championship) winner.
“You need to be prepared for this.
“And in other games you get to think about the next game.
“This is it. They win, or we win.”
Berisha struck twice, with a header and a penalty to deliver Brisbane the 2011/12 championship.
He rarely misses and will want to make a memorable contribution in his last game for the club.
So, who will it be tomorrow?
Will one of the big four step up again, or could it be skipper Matt Smith?
Henrique tipped either of grand final rookies Dimitri Petratos or Luke Brattan have what it takes to deliver.
“Both of them are match winners.” he said.
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